Ms. Carmel has made it to the 'Big Times' ~ Watch for her name in lights!!

After being screened by aptitude trainers Carmel was chosen as possessing the natural abilities and qualities required of a performance level pup and she is now a member of Joel Slaven's Professional Animals.

Who would have thought when our volunteers entered our local animal services shelter two weeks ago, that they would be bringing home such an unforeseen treasure.  Honestly, it was due to Will, a member of the staff there, that caused our volunteers to bring Carmel back with them in the first place.  Will had nothing but wonderful things to say about this little girl.

Our volunteers learned that Carmel was adopted out once and already returned due to her being three pounds over the weight restrictions of the adoptive family's owners association!  Knowing that Carmel was not yet fully grown, her weight would only increase, therefore, the decision was made by the adoptive family (rather than enter into legal action with their owners association) to return Carmel to her original adoption site.  The flip side of that ~ neither of them knew that once Carmel crossed that threshold back into the animal services shelter, Carmel's clock was once again beginning to click...

Who would have thought Will was able to see so deep into the soul of this little lady!  She was screened for overall agility and passed.  She was screened for overall demeanor adaptability and she passed.  Next, full steam ahead, she will enter into the performance preparation training phase of her future.

All the animal members of Joel Slaven's staff are rescued animals either from shelters and/or breed specific rescues from all over the country.  These particular types of dogs  ~ like Carmel ~ are usually turned into shelters because they are so bored sitting around not being mentally stimulated; in turn they will tear up furniture, bark at everything that walks by or eat all of the food off of an owners' counter tops.  Once dogs are adopted by Joel Slaven and his staff, they are trainedd to do a behavior that uses their natural ability such as opening a door with their mouth or dropping a lever with their feet. 

Once Carmel is done with her years of talent being displayed, she will either be placed into a household living situation ~ or ~ be allowed to spend the rest of her days on the five acre training center to be cared for by the multiple trainers that live on site there with the retired performers. 

We're so very proud of Carmel and the fact that The ARF Shack was chosen as a resource rescue for the screening staff to visit and 'screen test' our dogs as potential performers for Joel Slaven and his crew.