Lee Peetoom and his Canine Partner For Life, Usul, visit the Grand Canyon. SUE PEETOOM

The Canine Partner for Life program provides specially trained dogs to assist those who need help. By Sarah A. Ferrell

Date published: 8/6/2005

Y OUR BEST FRIEND says and does things day in, day out, that make you feel safe and understood. A best friend urges you to call on them--even in the middle of the night--if you require their company. A best friend's favorite place is at your side.

Usul, a large Belgian Malinois-greyhound, is Lee Peetoom's best friend. Usul's devotion to Peetoom exemplifies the gift a human receives when a good dog commits her heart to be a partner for life.

Usul came to Peetoom after a great deal of specialized training to assist him with daily living activities and after exhaustive matching and analysis by the staff at Canine Partners for Life (k94life.org).

Before being matched to Peetoom, Usul had to graduate from a volunteer puppy foster home where she was socialized and obedience-trained. Next, she trained at the Canine Partner For Life facility to master specific skills that Peetoom required from a canine partner.

CPL staff explain that before Usul came to live with Peetoom, "the dog has completed a year of formal work with the CPL trainers. Next, the human half of the new team is brought to the training facility." The human half of the team is "taught all aspects of dog care and handling. Three weeks later, the hard work pays off: graduation and the start of new freedom. The dogs sense they have an important purpose in life."

How has Usul changed his life? Lee Peetoom explained, "I can walk again and go out to places without worrying that I'm going to fall. Usul has given me the confidence to do things on my own."

Peetoom described Usul's workday: "She knows as soon as I put her harness on in the morning that her day has begun. She is on duty for about 16 hours a day. Occasionally during the day, I take off her harness to give her a short break and playtime. At the end of the day, once I'm ready for bed, I remove her working harness and Usul knows she is off-duty for the night."

Date published: 8/6/2005