This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Fauna, who’s training to be a service dog.
Fauna frequents the Village at Shirlington, Pacers 5K races and enjoys the occasional trip to the beach. Here’s more about her:
Please meet Fauna, a Guiding Eyes For The Blind “puppy with a purpose.” Last April, volunteer puppy raisers John and Kayla were matched with this petite 10 week old yellow lab puppy who couldn’t be cuter if she tried. Over the past year, Fauna has been taught basic obedience and house manners, and socialized in a variety of environments. Service dogs in training must learn to work around different people, places and distractions. She accompanies her raisers in stores, restaurants, offices, and even commutes on the Metro. Fauna is often seen training around Shirlington while working on her dog distractions. She especially enjoys her weekly training class where she learns new skills alongside the other puppies in our region.
But it hasn’t been all work and no play for Fauna. She loves to jog, hike, swim, fetch, tug, chew and cuddle with her raisers. She’s currently plowing through a bucket list of local outings, including a Nats game, a beach weekend in Ocean City, a Pacers 5K race, a Wolf Trap concert, the National Zoo, and much more. In between her daily training and play sessions, Fauna has helped to foster several rescue cats for Homeward Trails Animal Rescue. She would love to find a forever home for her boyfriend Sylvester (https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/34854789).
Fauna is now 16 months old and getting ready for her big test in July that will determine which working career she is best suited for. She could be selected for formal guide dog training, the breeding colony, or an alternative career such as a detection or autism companion dog. But if she decides that she just misses her family too much, Fauna will be adopted by her raisers and serve as a surrogate mom for their new Guiding Eyes puppy in August.
Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Yorktown Heights, NY, Guiding Eyes for the Blind (www.guidingeyes.org) is an internationally accredited nonprofit guide dog school that has provided thousands of blind and visually impaired people with specially bred and trained dogs at no cost that grant them dignity, freedom and greater independence.
Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!
Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner six consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.
Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.
Recent Stories
Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar. 🕗 News recap The following articles were published earlier today…
All lanes of northbound I-395 were blocked at Glebe Road due to a fatal motorcycle crash.
Federal authorities will investigate a near collision on the ground at Reagan National Airport, ARLnow has learned. The incident happened around 7:40 a.m. today (Thursday). “An air traffic controller instructed…
Inmates at the Arlington County Detention Facility picked up their paddles once again to compete in a pickleball tournament this week — and this time they had some additional friends….
Unlike our competitors, Well-Paid Maids doesn’t clean your home with harsh chemicals. Instead, we handpick cleaning products rated “safest” by the Environmental Working Group, the leading rating organization regarding product safety.
The reason is threefold.
First, using safe cleaning products ensures toxic chemicals won’t leak into waterways or harm wildlife if disposed of improperly.
Second, it’s better for you and your family. Fragrant chemicals in surface cleaners can expose you to a similar amount of pollutant particles as a busy city road, New Scientist reported.
Northern Virginia Family Practice (NVFP), known for its comprehensive concierge healthcare, is thrilled to introduce Mark Sullivan, MD as the newest member of its family medicine team.
Dr. Sullivan brings a wealth of experience in family medicine, underpinned by a passion for delivering personalized, patient-centered care. He has a distinguished background in managing various medical conditions, emphasizing preventive care, health education and chronic disease management. Dr. Sullivan is adept at employing the latest medical research and technologies to enhance patient outcomes.
Beyond his medical expertise, Dr. Sullivan is committed to the well-being of his community, demonstrating this through his active engagement in local health initiatives and educational programs. His approach to medicine is holistic, focusing on integrating physical, mental and emotional health and patient education to achieve optimal patient wellness.
Dr. Sullivan is now accepting new patients at their newly established Arlington office at 2445 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA, 22206. The office, known for its patient-friendly amenities and state-of-the-art medical facilities, continues to provide the exceptional, personalized care NVFP is known for in its newly upgraded Arlington location.
Sweeney Todd
A victim of a gross injustice that robbed him of his wife and child, Sweeney Todd sets about exacting a terrible revenge on society.
Fascination
Goth-Dark Wave Dance Party with Belly Dancing and Drag King Show.
Part of OurAlternative Thursdays for Alternave People with Alternative Lifestyles
Performances By
Belladonna and the Nightshades
Ya Meena
Drag King - Ken Vegas
DJ Michelle Guided
