Thousands of people celebrated the new year at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Among the colorful floats, a special puppy named Sly and his trainer, Ashley Ballard, stole the show.
Each year, Lions International showcases a float in the parade. This year, they celebrated their 50th anniversary of training service dogs in partnership with Canine Companions. Eight service dogs joined the festivities, highlighting the important work they do.
Ashley Ballard, a member of Lions International, is raising Sly, a one-year-old service dog in training. Excited about the opportunity, she eagerly volunteered to take part in the parade. "I immediately raised my hand and said, 'I want to do that,'" Ballard recalled.
For Sly, the parade was filled with new experiences. From flying on a plane to walking in front of thousands, it was a big adventure. Ballard noted, "This will be a whole different experience" compared to their regular outings like grocery shopping.
After completing the five-mile walk, Ballard arranged for a sitter for Sly so she could cheer on her alma mater. Once back in Ohio, Sly will continue his training for about six more months before moving on to advanced training with professional trainers. Ballard is excited to see how Sly will grow and learn important life skills.