Dog Training Facility in Byers, Colorado Gives Rescue Dogs a Second Chance and New Career Opportunities

Leasure Ranch K9 Academy in Byers, Colorado, is not your typical dog training facility. Owner Michelle Abel is not only giving rescue dogs a second chance at life but also a new career as service dogs trained to detect gluten for people with celiac disease.

Abel, who has been training dogs for 34 years, partnered with Scroungy Dogs and Pretty Pups Rescue to train unruly dogs and help find them homes. The facility also takes in dogs that have been abandoned or dumped by their owners.

What sets Leasure Ranch K9 Academy apart is their focus on training dogs to be service animals, specifically to detect gluten for individuals with celiac disease. This idea came about when one of Abel’s daughter’s friends, who has celiac disease, was given a snack that was contaminated with gluten. A dog trained by Abel detected the gluten and prevented a potentially harmful situation.

The importance of having a dog that can detect gluten for those with celiac disease cannot be understated. Even trace amounts of gluten can have serious health consequences for individuals with this condition. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, with up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose, making them ideal for this type of training.

Abel’s training method involves teaching the dogs to sit if an object is safe and lay down if it is not. This simple yet effective approach has garnered attention on social media, leading to an increased demand for gluten-detecting service dogs.

The impact of these dogs goes beyond just detecting gluten. Abel shared a heartwarming story of one dog who now works at Disneyland with her own employee badge. These dogs not only provide a valuable service but also bring joy and companionship to their owners.

At Leasure Ranch K9 Academy, each service dog undergoes extensive training to ensure they can meet the specific needs of their future owners. Whether it’s staying in a down stay for hours on end or not eating food off plates at a celiac-friendly restaurant, these dogs are prepared for any situation.

For Abel, the reward comes from knowing that she is making a difference in both the lives of the dogs she trains and the people they ultimately help. It’s a job that requires dedication, patience, and a deep love for animals, but the impact it has is immeasurable.