The Internet is going crazy over photos of service dogs at a “Billy Elliot” performance in Stratford, Ont.
One of the hilarious pictures has all kinds of patient pooches waiting at their seats while being trained at the Stratford Festival in Southern Ontario last week. They were actually at the show to practice helping their owners move throughout the theatre.
“It’s important to prepare the dogs for any activity the handler may like to attend,” Laura Mackenzie, owner and head trainer with K-9 Country Inn Working Service Dogs, told CBC Radio.
She added, “The theatre gives us the opportunity to expose the dogs to different stimuli such as lights, loud noises and movement of varying degrees. The dogs must remain relaxed in tight quarters for an extended period of time.”
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According to the outlet, the training has the pups help their handlers fit into bathrooms, move through tight areas and safely navigate through a crowd.
After Twitter caught wind of the training session, the post went viral:
The Stratford Festival runs through to Nov. 10.
