Passed

Twelve dogs tested, 12 new Canine Good Citizens created at the first-ever Bully Certified! CGC test day.

Amy Havranek of Havranek's Dog Rescue getting Big Daddy into a Down/Stay.

All 12 dogs that came to test their skills at "Bully Certified! An AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing Event" passed all 10 elements of the test and became Canine Good Citizens during a busy day at Basics and Beyond Dog Academy in Brunswick Hills Sunday, May 2, 2010. Congratulations!

Registered Canine Good Citizen evaluators Mike Stopera, trainer at Basics and Beyond Dog Academy, and Christy Paxton, owner of Hand in Paw: Real World Training for You and Your Dog, administered the test to bull terriers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Boxers, an American Bulldog and a German Shepherd. Both trainers took turns testing and avoided testing any dogs they knew to preserve the integrity of the results.

Bully Certified! was dedicated to the memory of Ted, an American Staffordshire terrier owned by Sandy Smith of Tremont (Cleveland), who attended the event. Ted was one of the first bull terriers Paxton certified, and he was a great ambassador for his breed. Ted recently succumbed to leukemia and lymphoma. A small memorial was set up for Ted at the event, and donations were accepted in his honor.

A nominal fee of $10 per dog was collected the day of the event. All the money collected that day, a total of $203. was donated to the non-profit Havranek's Dog Rescue of Cleveland. Amy Havranek, founder, brought three bull terriers to test: her dogs Big Daddy and Baba (Jelly Bean), plus new adoptable dog Meatball. She was thrilled all three passed and overwhelmed when informed her rescue was chosen to receive the event funds. "This is unbelievable. It's the best day of my life!" said Havranek.

Bully Certified! is just one small example of the great potential in all dogs, no matter the breed. We hope to make it an ongoing event.

Amy Havranek (r) of Havranek's Dog Rescue passed all three dogs she brought the Bully Certified! She holds Big Daddy. The rest are (l-r) Stephen Havranek with Jelly Bean (Baba), trainer and evaluator Mike Stopera of Basics and Beyond Dog Academy, and Chris Kae holding Meatball's leash.	PASSED! All three dogs shown here are now Canine Good Citizens. Chris Kae (l) holds adoptable dog Meatball, trainer and evaluator Christy Paxton of Hand in Paw (c) has Jelly Bean (Baba), and Amy Havranek of Havranek's Dog Rescue celebrates wit Big Daddy.
Owner Becca Riker (owner of The Mutt Hutt in Tremont) and Doberman Jimmy Dean walk right past "neutral dog" Hannah and trainer/evaluator Mike Stopera of Basics and Beyond Dog Academy.	Boxers Deagan and Griffin wait patiently for their turns to test. (Note dogs were not tested on pinch collars shown.)
American Bulldog Moe performs his Come to owner Ken Novotny with enthusiasm!	American Bulldog Moe decides to relax for his three-minute separation with evaluator/Hand in Paw trainer Christy Paxton.
Petey the Bull Terrier is ready for his close-up, Mr. DeMille.	Petey the Bull Terrier's owner Michaelene Taliano uses one finger and gentle "stay" to keep her boy in place.
Petey the Bull Terrier and his owner get final paperwork from trainer/evaluator Christy Paxton of Hand in Paw. Yes, Petey passed!	Sandy Smith (c) admires new Canine Good Citizen Jimmy Dean. Bully Certified was dedicated to Sandy's dog Ted, a Bull Terrier and Canine Good Citizen who recently passed away.
Rottweiler mix Shiloh does a three-minute separation easily.	Trainer/evaluator Mike Stopera of Basics and Beyond Dog Academy chats with volunteer helper and Delta Society (therapy dog) evaluator Marsha Bedford.