Teachers’ Pets

A group of roughly 30 young specialists who make their living helping the disabled received a free day of training Saturday.

Many expressed their appreciation by rolling on their backs and kicking their legs in the air.

It was the third year in a row for a unique program sponsored by the Orange County Transportation Authority, a program in which young guide dogs and their trainers are given free run of buses to familiarize themselves with the difficult business of getting around.

“They’re being exposed to the unique sounds of the buses,” said OCTA spokeswoman Adell Bitterlich, while several furry students practiced boarding, sitting and waiting. “They’re being exposed to the unique sounds of the wheelchair lift, [procedures for] getting on and disembarking. . . . “

In addition, the apprentice guide dogs--many just pups--learned at shopping malls about crowds, and restaurant smells, then got a primer on proper bus etiquette, such as how to keep a long tail safe from human shoes.

Training took place all morning at the Fullerton Park-and-Ride, where four buses were made available to the guide dogs and roughly 50 trainers, who will then deliver the dogs to the disabled.

Some came from as far as Sacramento for the free program, which Bitterlich said may be the only one of its kind in the state.

“Today is socialization,” said Wayne Martin, a trainer from Anaheim. “To assist the dogs when they go back to the schools.”

Once the dogs develop a “been-there-done-that” attitude about the buses, Martin said, they’ll be much easier to teach.

Vincent and Kathy Browne, of Costa Mesa, were grateful for the free lessons with their golden retriever, Annie, a member of the Browne family since March.

But the Brownes don’t train guide dogs. They depend on them.

Kathy, who suffers from a degenerative muscle disorder that makes walking difficult, relies on Annie to pull her wheelchair.

She and Vincent waited months to get Annie, they said. They waited so long that they forgot they were waiting.

“Then they call you,” Vincent said, “and it’s like a dream.”

Still, although Annie’s been a godsend, she needs practice on the buses, so she and Kathy can ride them alone.

“She did fine,” said Kathy, stroking Annie’s head fondly. “She did very well.”

The Brownes made a point of thanking Bitterlich and other OCTA representatives profusely for the free training. In fact, Bitterlich spent a good part of her day fielding grateful thank-yous.

“It’s free,” she said, beaming. “It’s a public service. And if the dogs are socialized, it helps our drivers stay on their routes.”

Over a trainer’s shoulder she spotted a puppy cutting class, rummaging through a trash can for discarded blueberry muffins.

Of course, she added: “Some of the dogs don’t graduate.”