Canine Coaching in Colorado Springs

The story of Laurel Prud’homme and her devoted, dual work of civic service and puppy pedagogy 

By Kristian DePue

Inside the offices of the Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs are a bed, crate, and some slobbery toys. The bed is not for employees to nap on the job, and the crate is not for storage of supplies – rather, both belong to a furry, four-legged adjunct member of the team. 

Laurel Prud’homme is the vice president of communications for the Downtown Partnership, which works closely with business leaders, civil servants, and property owners to ensure that Colorado Springs’ downtown continues to grow as the cultural heart of the city. In addition to that, Prud’homme is a puppy raiser with Canine Companions for Independence(CCI). 

Founded in 1975, CCI is a non-profit that empowers those with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs. Since volunteering, Prud’homme’s puppy pupils have participated in press conferences, observed ribbon cuttings, and visited television studios.

“Years ago, I attended a ‘lunch-and-learn’ where a gentleman with a service dog talked about CCI,” says Prud’homme. “I learned they enrolled volunteers as puppy raisers, and I immediately thought, ‘I want to do that!’” At the time, though, Prud’homme’s supervisor rejected the idea of a dog in the workplace and she withdrew her application. Fast-forward 20 years.

“I sadly put my own dog down,” Prud’homme recalls. “But I thought, ‘Now is the time to be a raiser.’ I already accepted a different job with Downtown Partnership and got approval from leadership. Looking at the calendar, it was exactly 20 years after the lunch-and-learn when I finally signed up.”

After the go-ahead from Susan Edmondson, president & CEO, other members of the Downtown Partnership gave their blessings. “I completed a phone interview,” explains Prud’homme. “Then CCI sent a raiser in the area to conduct a home visit. I was quickly approved.”

Prud’homme’s first puppy was Meeks, a yellow Labrador. CCI works with golden and Labrador retrievers, and mixes of both, due to personality and temperament. Prud’homme is currently raising her second puppy, Edge III, another yellow lab. She’s also dog-sat several pups for a week or two at a time, on behalf of other raisers: Avalon, Adelaide, Dane, Patrick, Barbie, Rock and Ludwig. 

“A dog in the office is a morale booster,” Edmondson says. “Pausing to play with a pup is the ideal break in the day. The dogs are local celebrities, even appearing at city council meetings. People just seem happier when they run into Meeks or Edge.”

Meeks with his CCI-matched owner, Laura Schiewe – Oceanside, California
Meeks hates getting his feet wet and will sidestep puddles on walks. Both Meeks and his brother Miso became Hearing Dogs.

“When Laurel brought her first CCI puppy to our office, everyone fell in love – not just staff. Dozens would look for opportunities to spend a moment with Meeks,” says Katy Houston, marketing specialist for Downtown Partnership. “There’s a reason dogs are therapeutic; they truly lift spirits. From a few minutes of fetch to listening to him squeak his toys or snore in his crate, having Meeks was a joy.”

After learning over 30 commands under Prud’homme’s tutelage, Meeks went to Oceanside, Calif., for advanced training and later to Santa Rosa for hearing school. He was matched with an auditory-impaired woman and is currently by her side. Matching is an intensive process where both the person and dog learn to become a team - a dynamic duo - and eventually graduate together.

“When I sought a second hearing dog, I was referred to Canine Companions,” says Laura Schiewe. “I really liked the program. After that dog passed away, I applied again and was paired with Meeks, my third hearing dog, and second from CCI. It’s been a pleasant, exciting experience with Meeks. He’s gentle, friendly, handsome, active and affectionate.”

Ludwig, the dog Prud’homme most frequently sat for, was discharged due to a lack of confidence. “Lu’ is a very sweet dog, but cautious in new situations. He attended advanced training for two months before being released,” says Prud’homme. 

Ludwig is back in Colorado Springs, where he was adopted by his raiser. “A lack of confidence doesn’t make a difference being a pet. All CCI dogs are great. There’s a huge waiting list of those wanting dogs released from the program – but raisers get offered adoption first. 

“When Ludwig headed off to advanced training, we were so proud,” says Karen Mendrop, Ludwig’s raiser (and now owner). “When released, our hearts were filled with joy that ‘our perfect dog’ was coming home … but sorrow he wouldn’t be serving someone in need. Those emotions are now sorted out. Our lives are full of play, walks and unconditional love.”

Like Meeks before him, you can frequently find Edge riding elevators and visiting offices with Laurel Prud’homme in Colorado Springs’ Plaza of the Rockies, where the Downtown Partnership is located. Prud’homme continues progressing forward, positively impacting both the community of Colorado Springs and the lives changed by a canine companion. 

Young Edge | Allison Daniell of Stellar Propeller Studio
Edge flew to Colorado on a private jet by a volunteer pilot since commercial airlines were not accepting cargo shipments due to COVID. Edge loves all squeaky toys, but especially squeaky alligator toys.

“Meeks was matched with someone who lives in Oceanside, conveniently, where his advanced training was done,” says Prud’homme. “I actually got to meet Laura Schiewe. I mentioned I was going to be in Oceanside and Laura replied, ‘We should meet up!’ We met in a park and it was awesome! Meeks zeroed in on me … and then did what he’s not supposed to do: bolted straight to me. The boy was beside himself.”