COLUMN: Meet 'Skooter,' who's trained to help others

The Haven south Aktion Club was chartered Oct. 24, 2022 and is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Venice. Their motto is “Service in Action.”

The group recently invited Daphne Collier and her dog young Skooter to their Aktion Club meeting. They represent Southeastern Guide Dogs.

The group learned that Skooter is in training to be an emotional support dog. Daphne is a Puppy Raiser.

Skooter is in puppy kindergarten. He will be expected to learn 40-plus commands and 47 hand signals. He learns by repetition and a lot of positive reinforcement, including praise and treats.

Skooter is also learning commands that will qualify him to be a companion to someone who is visually impaired. Skooter enjoyed all the love and attention he received from Aktion Club members.

The group enthusiastically presented Daphne and Skooter with a check for $500 for Southeastern Guide Dogs. Daphne said the money will be used mostly for food, treats and health care for Skooter.

Ken Arambasick works with Aktion Club members at the Haven. He encourages them to stay on task at their meetings. Members enjoy singing the National Anthem and their Aktion Club song. They love the fun of winning the 50/50 raffle.

For the group, upcoming events will include a visit from the Venice Fire Department with a truck, and a seminar about hurricane preparedness. Aktion Club members are a fun and happy group.

Many of them performed this year as Pinky’s Players at the Venice Theatre in “Hee Haw.”

The Haven is a happy place. One of their bulletin boards reads, “Plant Kindness.”

One Of Our Best

The special person of this week is Barb Wilson. She is an Aktion Club reporter who writes about their work. Barb also writes about Pinky’s Players.

They are the terrific group of Thespians in town who wow audiences with their annual shows and always play to a sold-out house.

For years, Barb performed at the Venice Theatre with the Loveland Follies and has had a role with Pinky’s Players. Barb is efficient in the work she does.

Ask her a name and how to spell it and she knows. Ask Barb about an event, and she will tell you the details.

Barb loves people. She is welcoming and friendly and an all-around super nice person. Barb Wilson is one of the people who makes Venice a great place to live.