You have probably heard of the official mascots for the 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games — Copper, Coal, Powder and Otto.
But you probably don't know about the unofficial mascot, the one hanging out at Amy Thaler's desk at the Salt Lake Organizing Committee headquarters.
Meet Emery, a 16—month—old black Labrador retriever. Though he has nothing to do with the Winter Games, there is a purpose to his presence in the office. Emery is a guide dog in training. His likeness will never become a plush toy, but he will be a blind person's beloved companion, provided he endures the canine version of Olympic training.
"He's pretty popular," says Thaler, SLOC's medal ceremonies manager. "I've had to make a rule, 'You say hi to me first. Then you can say hi to Emery.' I was starting to feel slighted."
Thaler, as politely as possible, must deter people from interacting with the dog, especially when he's working. (Guide dogs in training wear colored jackets when they're on the job.) She posted an "I gave Emery a treat log . . . " at her cubicle to keep track of the dog biscuits co-workers slip him.
"Part of my job as a volunteer puppy trainer is to educate people, what they can and can't do," she said.
At the same time, she teaches Emery, whom she's had since he was 8 weeks old, social skills and basic obedience so he'll know what to do and what not to do when he becomes a blind person's eyes.
For example, Thaler walks on a straight line wherever she goes. There's no meander in her stride. She stops at even the slightest rise in elevation. And she rarely travels anywhere alone. Emery rides TRAX trains, airplanes and automobiles. He goes to business meetings, restaurants and grocery stores. The polite but flirty dog accompanied Thaler to her SLOC job interview.
"It is a tad bit unusual to say, 'I want this job. I can really do this job but, oh, yeah, I come with a dog,' " said Thaler, who trained a German shepherd named Laker while working in Los Angeles.
The idea behind this symbiotic relationship is to expose Emery to virtually every situation his blind owner might encounter.
Thaler, who obtained the dog through California—based Guide Dogs of America, will care for Emery until he is 18 months to 2 years old. He'll then go back to California for another six to eight months of practice with a certified guide dog trainer. About $25,000 to $30,000 will go into Emery before he's ready for the real world. Thaler estimates she spent about $900 on food, toys and other items for Emery last year. Her expenses are tax deductible. She considers it her charity work.
Emery's presence in the office also has helped make SLOC officials more aware of the needs of visually impaired athletes and spectators who will attend the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games. Thaler asked the Paralympic Village manager to think about providing scraps of material for doggy beds and food bowls. The Southern California transplant also noticed rock salt sprinkled on sidewalks after a snowstorm stings Emery's paws. She's hoping volunteers will be able to help visiting guide dogs avoid salted paths.
The Utah Council of the Blind alerted the Utah Legislature to guide dogs this past session. It successfully lobbied lawmakers to pass a law that attempts to protect service animals by imposing fines on owners whose pets injure or kill guide dogs . Several vicious attacks last year spurred the new statute.
Thaler anticipates having to give Emery up in July or November. Letting go will be bittersweet.
"When you see what they're going to do, it's all worthwhile," she said. "You have to look at it like a gift that takes two years to make."
Provo resident Ellen Moulder is a recent beneficiary of the blood, sweat and tears people like Thaler put into their roles as puppy trainers. She obtained her yellow Labrador retriever through a New York organization called the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind.
"I got out of prison when I got the dog," Moulder, 57, said, adding she used to stay indoors most of the time, even to exercise. "It's just not the same as being out in the fresh air and sunshine."
You can reach Dennis Romboy by e-mail at romboy@desnews.com.