CONWAY, Ark — You might see more feet than usual walking through the University of Central Arkansas' campus, but these four-legged friends are learning just like the students attending the classes.
Living Unleashed is a University of Central Arkansas student-run organization. Students train dogs to become service animals through the national organization, Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).
"They give us a timeline of 30 commands that the puppies are supposed to learn," said Living Unleashed President Alexis Johnson.
She is training Cayenne, a one-year-old black lab.
"I feel like she'd be a really good hearing dog because they are always on alert and high energy," said Johnson.
Cayenne will spend the first part of her training with Alexis. Next, she will re-join trainers at CCI to learn more commands. Then, her trainers will place her with a person who needs a service animal.
"She goes to class with me. She goes to Walmart with me. Basically, anywhere I go she goes," said Johnson. "Just so that when she transitions into advanced training, there's no surprises."
The bond between Alexis and Cayenne is close, but Alexis knows soon they will have to part ways as Cayenne will start helping someone else live their fullest life.
"It's going to be super hard giving her up, but one thing that's cool is that you get to meet the person that you're giving the dog," said Johnson. "You're giving them the gift of independence."
UCA's Living Unleashed plans to get four more dogs to train next semester.