HSU Continues to Train Service Dogs

You might come across an unusually fluffy sight as you walk across the Hardin-Simmons University grounds. Among the many visitors to campus, service dogs can often be seen mixed in with students and faculty as fellow members of the HSU family. While not permanent residents, these canine guests are here to learn and grow just like their student counterparts. One among them, the gentle golden lab known as Parlay, spends her mornings tucked away in Sandefer Memorial with her handlers, Tammi Outlaw and Gracie Carroll. 

Tammi Outlaw and Gracie Carroll with Parlay.

Parlay belongs to Canine Companions, an organization dedicated to the training and well-being of service dogs across the United States. Parlay was born in one of Canine Companions’ many training and breeding facilities from two specifically picked parents to ensure she would have the instincts and skills to serve her future owner faithfully. After a short time at the facility, she grew into a proper young pup, and it was then that her story at HSU began. 

Well before Parlay’s birth, Tammi Outlaw and Gracie Carroll of the HSU Registrar and Advising Offices decided they would like to apply together for the chance to foster a puppy from Canine Companions. Though HSU has a history of fostering service dogs on campus, this was Mrs. Outlaw’s and Mrs. Carroll’s first time. After taking the time to decide and apply, Parlay was delivered to them at the Dallas airport in the early spring. Since then, she has served as a fixture in both their offices and the campus as a whole.

Parlay’s time here at HSU has been invaluable to her and her future. The goal of Canine Companions is to allow their service dogs to be fostered for 16 months by volunteers who will expose them to as many people, places, and things as possible. By spending her time here on campus, Parlay is exposed to plenty of experiences that help set her up to succeed once she moves on to proper training and, eventually, serving a person in need. 

Parlay, the puppy, sleeps with her many stuffies.

On September 12, 2024, the Mayor of Abilene will recognize Parlay in honor of National Service Dog Month at City Hall.

Parlay will continue her education here at HSU until she is ready to return to the training facility. You are welcome to come and say hello if you see her roaming the grass near Sandefer Memorial. Both Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. Outlaw are dedicated to Parlay’s growth as a service dog and document her progress. If you are interested in following Parlay’s journey here at HSU, please visit her Facebook page for the most up-to-date window into her training.