News : Central Lutheran students learn about guide dogs from Vinton family

Matt and Amy Salger discuss the guide dog program during a visit to Central Lutheran.

Amy Salger and guide dog Marsala visited Central Lutheran School on Wednesday.

Marsala continues to gain fans and friends throughout the area.

The 2-year-old black lab, who is the guide dog for Amy Salger, joined Amy and husband Matt during a visit to Central Lutheran School in Newhall on Wednesday.

Matt and Amy shared Marsala's history with the students there, and Amy and Marsala demonstrated how the dog helps Amy find her way around rooms and buildings.

The students had many questions about Marsala and her equipment, and Amy demonstrated the clicker training and how Marsala is rewarded. One student asked what happens if Marsala misbehaves; Amy explained that the dog is put in a 10-second "time-out" when Amy does not communicate with her. That, says Amy, is a very long time, from a dog's perspective.

The couple also shared information about Guide Dogs For the Blind, which provided Marsala and her training.

One student asked what would happen if Marsala were to get injured. Matt replied that GBD has one of the most advanced veterinary hospitals in the country, and that Marsala would be treated there if she faced a siginficant health problem.

Another student asked what would happen if Marsala were to wander off or get lost. The Salgers explained that she has a computer chip implant that can tell them as well as the people at GBD.

Amy and Matt also explained how Marsala has been trained to not relieve herself until Amy gives her the command to do so. They also gave the students some advice about how to interact with guide dogs.

It's a natural reaction, said Matt, to want to pet a dog, but those seeing dogs like Marsala are asked not to touch them or even make eye contact, because those things can distract a dog from its mission.

See an earlier story about Amy and Marsala HERE.

Below is a humorous video from GBD about guide dog etiquette, explaining how members of the public who see guide dogs like Marsala should interact with the dog and the vision-impaired person it helps:

[VIDEO]

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