New tricks

The Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Last year, while Ilene Caroom was recovering from surgery, she taught her dogs to do some tasks to help her out. She figured others might want their dogs to do similar things.

And Canine Solutions for Seniors was born.

In March, Caroom, a 56-year-old Annapolis resident, retired from her longtime legal career and opened Canine Solutions.

The service is aimed at training dogs to perform tasks to help the elderly, but it’s not limited to that age group.

"This is what I wanted to do with [my] retirement," she said. "This is immensely gratifying."

Caroom trains dogs to pick up a dropped cane or a set of keys, deliver a note or alert someone to an alarm or doorbell. Caroom also can train dogs to help people take off a sweater or coat, or to act as a brace so someone can get out of a chair more easily.

Dogs like to help

"The idea is that most people have dogs, and dogs love to do this," she explained. "The very things that [people might have] problems with can be turned to an advantage."

Caroom has trained dogs, including her pets, for more than 20 years.

Caroom, who is hearing impaired, has two border collies, Strike and Moss. Strike is a hearing assistance dog, and Moss is trained to do several tasks.

Jodie Jeweler of Annapolis is having Caroom train her Irish wolfhound puppy so he can help her parents. "She’s a wonderful person and a great dog trainer," Jeweler said. "... Part of it is that she finds it fun and she makes it fun for the dog."

Caroom charges at least $60 an hour for private sessions, depending on the services.

She teaches the dogs and their owners, leaving detailed homework so they can practice what she’s accomplished at a meeting.

Caroom has also conducted classes.

"I thought it was a great idea," said Suzie Nichols, director of the Arnold Senior Center, where Caroom conducted a class over the summer. "A lot of seniors have pets they’re attached to, so if they can train them to do little things to help out, that would be a good thing."

Old dogs can learn new tricks

Caroom will train any dog, regardless of age. However, she points out that owners have to understand that a 10-year-old pet doesn’t have the time or temperament to learn as much as one several years younger.

She tailors lessons to each dog, and trains them in tiny steps with rewards of a small piece of dog biscuit.

Caroom is careful to set realistic expectations. "I’m straight with people about what dogs can and can’t do," she said.

Caroom has been training Cleopatra, a 3-year-old pit bull-boxer mix owned by Daniel and Ruth Lanham of Severna Park.

The Lanhams sought out Caroom because they have three developmentally and physically disabled adults living with them, and they hoped that the training she offers could allow Cleo to assist them.

"She knows what the dog is thinking ... and she’s patient," Ruth said. "It’s amazing that two months ago [Cleo] was in

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