December W.O.W. Winner: Brooke Hagerott - Pet Friendly!

Park Avenue’s December

“W.O.W.”

(Winners Outside Workout)

Brooke Hagerott – Pet Friendly

Brooke Hagerott is our December award winner.  Brooke has been a competitive gymnast at Park Avenue for the past 8 years.  She is preparing for her second season as a level 8 gymnast.   Brooke is a very determined athlete who understands that through hard work anything is possible.  She trains hard every day and leads by example.

Brooke has taken this “hard working attitude” and, with her dog Lucky, carried it with her into the “Canine Good Citizens” program.  It is through this participation, that she is December’s W.O.W. award recipient.  Brooke’s dog Lucky is a chocolate lab, pit bull mix that she found on December 20, 2008 on Shot Gun Road.  Both Brooke and Lucky have participated in the “Canine Good Citizens” test, which includes 10 smaller tests.  Some of the tests are: accepting a friendly stranger, sitting nice for petting, walking nicely through a crowd, stay and come, reaction to another dog and a distraction.  Participation in these tests took a lot of hard work on Brooke’s and Lucky’s part.   They struggled a little, but on their second try they completed the tests.  The next step was to become a therapy dog.  After another evaluation where Lucky was tested around walkers, wheelchairs, and elderly individuals, Brooke and Lucky were awarded with the Canine Assisted Therapy honor.  Brooke received a purple shirt and Lucky a purple bandana, both with the C.A.T logo on them.  Brooke now goes into nursing homes, schools and other public places where individuals can pet and talk to Lucky.  For some, this really brightens their day.  Brooke receives service hours for school and church for participating in this program, but more importantly, she hopes to teach both young and old that pit bulls can be great pets and friends.

The staff and coaches would like to congratulate Brooke and Lucky for their achievements and for making a difference Outside of Workout.

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