Foxy - A guide dog in training

Meet Foxy, FOX 35's service dog in training

Meet Foxy, a Labrador Retriever on a mission to become a critical service dog to someone in need.

FOX 35 Orlando is following Foxy's journey as she learns not only how to sit, stay, and heal, but how to navigate sidewalks, crosswalks, busy stores, and everyday tasks that she'll be expected to help guide someone through in the future.

It's a daunting challenge - and one that we hope Foxy accomplishes in the end. Southeastern Guide Dogs, a Florida-based nonprofit, is helping guide Foxy's puppy trainer on how to train Foxy.

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Foxy visits Rollins College on New Year's Day.

FOXY'S TIMELINE

  • July 23, 2023 - Foxy was born
  • Oct. 13, 2023 - Foxy was picked up by her volunteer training family (and member of the FOX 35 team)
  • Oct. 21, 2023 - Foxy was cleared to venture outside and begin on-site training
  • Oct. 31 - Foxy celebrated her first Halloween
  • Nov. 28, 2023 - Foxy made her first visit to FOX 35 to meet with the team and staff
  • Dec. 3, 2023 - Foxy walked around Winter Park to experience the sights, sounds, and smells
  • Dec. 9, 2023 - Foxy attended her first FOX 35-sponsored event - 2023 Jingle Bell Run
  • Dec. 18, 2023 - Foxy made her TV debut on FOX 35's Good Day Orlando
  • Dec. 25, 2023 - Foxy celebrated her first Christmas

Weekly updates on Foxy's progress - Jan. 5, 2024

Update on 'Foxy' our future service dog

The FOX 35 Care Force Team provides an update on 'Foxy' who is being trained to be a future service dog.

Foxy is growing and learning at a rapid pace over the last several weeks! She now weighs over 30 pounds. She's expected to be 50 pounds as a full-grown adult, which is still a bit away. Over the last few weeks, we've been working to expose Foxy to different sights, sounds, and environments, including parks, outdoor shopping malls, and going in and out of stores. What does a car horn sound like? What do people laughing sound like? What about the noise at the crosswalk? The goal is to keep her focused and not necessarily get distracted by those sounds and sights. She's also working on how to greet people (not jumping on them), when to heal, when to sit, or when to lay down -- all important commands. She's starting to lose her baby teeth. We've been finding them on the floor, which can be startling at first, but like with humans, is proof she's growing up.

What I'm working on now: Being exposed to different sights and sounds, becoming comfortable around other people, dogs, and cars.

Skills I'm doing really well at: I know a bunch of commands, like "sit," "stay," and "down."