June 3, 2025
Life with Louie: Graduation Season
It is graduation season at Iowa high schools, colleges and universities … and at EveryStep’s offices as well. Louie, our therapy dog in-training, is moving closer to becoming full certified.
“Louie will complete his Advanced training class on June 5th and then we will do an outdoor class this summer to maintain what we have both learned,” says Annie Harmeyer - Louie’s handler (and EveryStep Assistant to the President). It’s the latest milestone in a lifetime that’s been filled with training for the 11-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever.
“Louie has really been in training since he was born,” says Annie. That started with “imprinting training” by his breeder, Snitker Goldens, to ensure he was properly socialized. From there he moved on to a ‘Gold Select’ program that furthered his obedience training and earned him an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy title.
After that, it was time to head home.
“We picked Louie up at the end of December and then I started training with him in the middle of January with Anna Childs at Adelhorst Kennels to continue skill building and to build my relationship and confidence working with him,” says Annie.
Through his work with Anna and Annie, Louie has grown his confidence. “Louie had fear and anxiety related mostly to loud noises, but also new places and situations,” says Annie, “Louie spent a couple of weeks in ‘board and train’ with Anna where she spent a lot of time focusing on his fears and confidence building and taking him to new places.”
The results off all the work are evident. “It is amazing and so fun to see the changes in him in just the last couple of months. After we have class together, he is just so happy and proud of himself, it’s some of my favorite time with him,” says Annie, “One of the beautiful things about Louie, and something the breeder picked up on from the beginning, is that even when he’s fearful, he really rebounds very well and has an understanding that he’s safe as long as he is with you.”
Louie has a been summer planned as well. He’ll continue training with Anna to prepare him further for life as a therapy dog. He’s already made a few public appearances and will keep meeting new people.
“Louie will continue to build experience this summer by attending EveryStep’s grief groups, day camp and office visits, as well as time training with additional handlers,” says Annie.
When he’s not on-duty, Louis is just like any other dog in his homelife with best friend Crosby. “Louie really gets to just be an 11-month-old puppy at home, which is the really great thing about having both Louie and Crosby. It’s his time to refresh, do zoomies in the backyard and just be a dog with his brother,” Annie says, “I wish people could see more of how he is in this environment because he does recognize it as his safe place and his goofy personality shines.”
Louie will also be going on his first vacation – well, more of a stay-cation. “Louie also gets about 10 days of vacation coming up and will be staying with Dr. Mouser and his family, which will provide a lot of fun and downtime with their golden retriever, David, as well as some time for him to learn from and spend time with others.”
Louie is also making a splash as a budding social media star. Paws With Louie has already grown to more than 250 followers. The page features lessons in life authored by Maddie Moore, an Omaha-based therapist who formerly ran a similar social media campaign for a therapy dog at Creighton University.
This fall, it will be back to school for Louie once more. “He is currently ready to test for his AKC Canine Good Citizen title and will test for it this fall when our trainer offers it again,” Annie says, “and we expect he will be ready to test for the therapy dog certification later summer or early fall, as well.”
As for his future as a therapy dog, Annie says Louie definitely has what it will take to be successful. “He would sit and be cuddled all day if our schedule allowed.”