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Tonya Papanikolas reporting A Midvale teenager enrolled in a guide dog training program that's done a lot more than just help her overcome a fear of dogs.
Over the last 5-years, the girl's family raised seven guide dogs.
For a 9th grader, Quincy Millar has a lot of responsibilities. She has to walk her dog, feed him and play with him.
Cynthia Millar, Quincy's Mom: "It's like having a two-year-old all the time. The dog is always on leash and always at her side, even in the house."
Quincy is training this 8-month-old lab Emperess to be a guide dog for the blind. That means she has to take her to public places so Emperess gets used to being around crowds.
Quincy Millar: I can take her to the grocery store, I get to bring her to school."
That's right. She brings the dog to school once a week for a few hours in the afternoon.
Quincy Millar, Training Guide Dog: "Everyone's really shocked when they first see her because you don't really expect a dog to be at school."
Emperess' goodies take up half of Quincy's locker. She has toys for her, bowls for her food and treats.
Inside the classroom, Quincy sits and listens in class, while Emperess lays by her side.
Quiincy Millar: "She's a mellow dog, so she comes to school and usually just sleeps or chews on her bones or something."
Once in awhile, Emperess gets a little loud with her bone. But the principal says so far, it's gone well.
Paula Logan, Midvale Middle School Principal: "I think probably the biggest problem is the kids want to play with the dog or say hi. And Guincy's been really good to keep things calm and just train her dog."
Quincy Millar: "Here at school, I don't really allow people to pet her, cause there's so many people."
As part of her training, Quincy is teaching the dog commands and also helping build up the dog's chest muscles with tugging games, so Emperess will be able to hold a harness later.
Eventually Quincy will have to give up her pet, which will be extremely hard. But in the meantime, she's learning a lot.
Cynthia Millar, Mom: "I think it's wonderful for her. I think she learns about service, and kind of just looks beyond herself."
The family's hope is that Emperess will eventually go to someone who needs her even more than Quincy. Quincy says as Emperess gets used to coming to school, she'll bring her more often.
please link to www.guidedogs.com
