The residents of Harbour Pointe Retirement and Assisted Living Center in Mukilteo recently accepted a challenge. They will help Shanita Duke, a community services and animal control officer in Mukilteo, train a bullmastiff puppy named Maximus. The goal is for the puppy to pass the American Kennel Club’s Good Canine Citizen test this summer.
To pass the test, Maximus must do the following:
•    Accept a friendly stranger
•    Sit politely for petting
•    Allow basic grooming procedures
•    Walk on a loose lead
•    Walk through a crowd
•    Sit and lie down on command and stay in place
•    Come when called
•    React appropriately to another dog
•    React appropriately to distractions
•    Calmly endure supervised separation from the owner
“After that we’ll train him to become a full-time Delta Therapy Dog,” said Duke.
Duke has trained animals for 20 years. She was employed as a vet-tech for 16 years before she became an officer in the Mukilteo Police Department.
Training sessions will take place at Harbour Pointe Retirement and Assisted Living Center, located at 10200 Harbour Place in Mukilteo, every Monday at 11 a.m. through June 25, and bimonthly thereafter. Visitors are welcome to observe. 

For more information, call (425) 493-8555 or visit www.hpretire.com.