Taking Dog Training to the Next Level

It is often said that the bond between a human and dog is unlike any other.

Khasidy Lefthand, or Khas, as she prefers, is a freshman at Crook County High School. She has experienced this bond firsthand and has taken it to the next level with her canine friends.

Lefthand has been in 4-H for approximately five years. This summer, she took first place at the Crook County Fair, came away with the Highest Trained Dog at the Oregon State Fair, and began training her labradoodle, LuLu, to be a therapy dog. She accomplished all of this in the last three months, but she will tell you that it started with her trainers five years ago and with the support of her family.

Khas Lefthand and LuLu achieved the highest level of Grad Novice and Highest Trained Dog at the Oregon State Fair. Credit: Merilee Glass

“I have always been involved with dogs,” says Lefthand about her love for animals.

She tried other things in her 4-H club in Prineville, but she always came back to working with canines. Initially, her inspiration came from her brother Justin’s bond with his dog, Cruiser.

“When he had his dog, Cruiser, he had a really good bond with his dog — and I wanted a bond with a dog,” added Khas. “I tried to find something that was my passion,” she added, since she had access to dog 4-H.

One year ago, her family’s Chocolate Lab had a litter of puppies and they kept one, whom they named Ruby. She showed a propensity for dog showmanship and bonded well with Lefthand. LuLu is the family’s nine-year-old golden doodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle). LuLu became the star during training. Ruby was still young while LuLu is calm around people

“This year, I tried something new when we got Ruby. At first, I think it was just bringing Ruby to practice and trying to get her used to being out. Then it was taking her to trainings and bringing both LuLu and Ruby,” she said of introducing her dogs to the world of showmanship.

Lefthand and her three dog trainers, Janelle Geddes, Becky Kreachbaum, and Gail Schmutz, worked with Ruby and LuLu in 4-H. As the fair got closer, she worked mostly with LuLu. They helped her with basic commands, showmanship and obedience. In obedience, there are several levels of difficulty.

She and LuLu achieved the level of Grad Novice, which earned her a place at the Crook County Fair to compete at State Fair. She and LuLu scored the highest points and won grand champion in Grad Novice. She also achieved the Highest Trained Dog award at the Oregon State Fair.

“I got a really big ribbon,” Lefthand said proudly.

Soon after State Fair, she decided to switch gears and train Ruby and LuLu as therapy dogs. She soon realized Ruby was still a bit young for the task and continued with LuLu. There are three observations in order to qualify as a therapy dog: an initial observation to judge overall training, reaction to other dogs and temperament, and two observations at medical facilities, interacting with staff and patients.

The dog and handler must make three visits to a facility like a nursing home, hospital, library or school every three months to keep certifications current. Lefthand wants to keep her visits local until she is older and able to drive. She added that if an event in Central Oregon warranted a therapy dog, she would certainly help with LuLu. Ruby will need to gain some maturity, but Lefthand believes she will make a good therapy dog, eventually.

“She can also go to crisis things — if there was a crisis somewhere, she could go to help out people, who need therapy calming, she could go anywhere where someone was in need,” explained Lefthand’s mother, Merilee Glass.

Lefthand met her therapy dog handler, Sue Dolezal, from Bend, two years ago. Dolezal works for Alliance of Therapy Dogs. According to their official website, “Our teams provide therapy in many settings, including but not limited to airports, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehab facilities, mental health institutions, schools, hospitals, cancer centers, hospice facilities, college campuses and can also provide therapy in patients’ homes.”

Lefthand completed her second evaluation on Sept. 20 and her last one Sept. 27.

Lefthand and her biggest fan, her mother, Merilee Glass. Credit: Merilee Glass

During the training, the dogs must become familiar with environments, obedience and objects such as canes, wheelchairs and walkers. During the second training session, Lefthand took LuLu to a nursing home.

“Saturday, (Sept. 20), she rocked yesterday and made everyone smile including her evaluator,” remarked Glass of the second evaluation. She has been instrumental in supporting her daughter throughout her 4-H career and is very proud of her accomplishments.

Lefthand reflected on her five years with 4-H, and her therapy dog training. “It has helped me become a better person,” she concluded. She added that it helped her to have patience with herself and her dog.

“Throughout training and throughout the five years (in 4-H), I think I realized it’s going to take a couple of tries to get it but learned patience. I think through that, it has kind of made me care about LuLu more.”

This article appears in Central Oregon Pets Fall 2025.