Helpful canines are the day's star exhibits at museum

The California Museum for History, Women & the Arts in downtown Sacramento went to the dogs Saturday, but in a good way.

Dozens of golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, border collies and other breeds were on hand to demonstrate searching, seeing, hearing, assisting and herding at the opening of the "California Canines: Dogs with Jobs" exhibit.

At the Canine Companions for Independence table, Soleil, a 4-month-old golden retriever puppy-in-training, showed that she already knew how to sit, stay and lie down – not to mention lick a reporter's hand.

Matthew Meek, an 8-year-old from Rancho Murieta, thought that Soleil was "real smart," pointing out that he has to tell his dog "10 times to sit."

Soleil, however, has not yet learned to speak English, leaving it to her volunteer trainer, Nancy Vise of Elk Grove, to explain that by the time Soleil is 18 months old, she will have learned 30 commands.

Then she'll go to the organization's headquarters in Santa Rosa for six months of advanced training, at which point she will understand 65 commands and be evaluated as to what type of work (service, hearing, skilled companionship, facilities) she could perform.

When she grows up, Soleil hopes to be just like Kiltie, the 5-year-old golden retriever who lives with Sally Simcoe of Roseville. Simcoe said that "besides all the things she does – like picking things up, pushing buttons for electronic doors, opening drawers and operating light switches – Kiltie opens up opportunities to talk to people" who might feel nervous about approaching someone in a wheelchair.

The idea for the exhibit was first floated by a visitor who asked, "Couldn't you put Lassie into your 'Remarkable Women' exhibit?" said Amanda Meeker, director of exhibitions and programs at the museum. Although that idea was rejected, it led to the museum concentrating on what dogs in California have accomplished.

"California has been the leader in a lot of things we're doing with dogs nowadays," Meeker said. "We have the largest search-and-rescue group in the country, and the whole concept of assistance dogs was invented in California."

On Saturday, demonstrating that man's best friend has become humankind's most valuable working asset were representatives of Guide Dogs for the Blind, the California Rescue Dog Association, California Highway Patrol, Travis Air Force Base and Performance Dogs in Action, whose border collies are used for herding lessons.

Opening day also included performances of dog-oriented songs by children's entertainer Francie Dillon, a display by the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and crafts projects for kids.

The museum's permanent exhibit is small but packed with mementos like the leash worn by Dusty, a California golden retriever rescue dog who worked at the World Trade Center after 9/11, photographs, videos of working dogs in action and more.

Unfortunately, the live dogs will not be around after Saturday.

"We can't have dogs here every day," said Meeker, "although it would be fun."

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