So sad!
Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz, the trainer who prepared President Barack Obama‘s dog Bo for life as the first dog, has died at only 52-years-old due to respiratory failure.
Dawn was previously trusted with training the dogs of late Sen. Ted Kennedy and his wife Vicki, so it was not unusual when she got a call from them asking if she would determine if 5-month-old Portuguese water dog puppy was suitable for a family with children.
To her pleasant surprise, the Kennedy’s intended to give the pup to first family as a gift when Barack Obama took office.
Although Dawn has trained several high profile politician’s pups, it was always for the love of the animals, as she said:
“For me, it’s always about the dogs. There have been times when I’ve worked with people for a long time before realizing they were famous or high-profile or connected in some way.”
She founded Merit Puppy Training in the 1990’s, which focused on training dogs through positive reinforcement.
Her experience formed the basis for a 2010 book The Love That Dog Training Program, which she co-wrote with Los Angeles-based writer Larry Kay.
It sounds like Dawn has done incredible work that not only benefited the animals, but families who adore their dog and we wish her friends and loved ones the best as they deal with their tremendous loss.
[Image via AP Images.]