Aleita Downer - Founder
"Do What You Love and the Rest Will Follow"
I can’t sing, my children BEGGED me not to play our electronic organ, I stink at sports, and I can barely draw a stick figure….but boy can I
train a dog!
Losing my high-paying computer job of ten years in 1989 was, I realize now, the best thing that ever happened to me. I hated the job so much I
cried my way to work every day, but it was the only job I was trained to do… and I was devastated. But, as the saying goes, there was "no
where to go but up" and being out of work allowed me to think about what I REALLY wanted to do.
When my son applied to CCI for a Service Dog for the Disabled…and was put on a five year wait list, I stumbled into the
answer. I was sure I could train a dog for him; one that could open his doors and turn on his lights and perform all the usual tasks.
I read books, I watched videos, I talked to people who were partnered with Service Dogs, and I did an apprenticeship with an obedience trainer.
I joined the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, close to its inception, and attended conferences (I was quite awed at meeting the big-name trainers
in the field). I stood in the back yard and trained my Golden Retriever, Summer.
Summer and Joel were eventually certified as a Service Dog Team by Canine Support Teams, and in recognition of my accomplishment CST offered me a
training apprenticeship. Later, I had the privilege of studying at the Assistance Dog Institute, with Bonnie Bergen, founder of CCI. I became CST’s
field advisor and Puppy Raiser Liaison for San Diego County. I began offering classes – first only to puppy raisers, Service and Therapy dogs. It
wasn’t long before I realized that the dog-and-user-friendly techniques used to socialize and train working dogs could be used for the benefit of
pet dogs as well… and, frankly, I needed money! So Cape-Able Canines was born.
It was an incredible stroke of luck that Dog Beach Dog Wash offered me an opportunity to train at their facility, for which I will be forever
grateful. Later, at the invitation of veterinarian Miguel Espinosa, I also trained at The Pet Hospital of La Mesa, and, in 2004, I finally found a
storefront to call my own, allowing me, with the help of some incredible staff, to add services like daycare and boarding.
I’m particularly proud of a few accomplishments:
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Twenty-two apprentices have successfully graduated from my eighteen-month Training to Train apprentice program. Most (19 at last count) are
working in the industry now, including Jane Glickman, my replacement trainer.
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It has been my privilege to offer dog-and-owner-friendly training to thousands. I sincerely believe that training has enriched the lives of
those dogs and owners.
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Many of my original students have referred friends and family for training and returned with their subsequent dogs.
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I have helped many people self-train their own dogs as service dogs, many of whom, like Joel, could not have waited for a dog from
traditional programs.
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And, I have empowered many others – especially women - to start their own pet related businesses.
PS My son Joel - who was also my dear friend - passed away in May of 2006 followed by Summer-Dog (age 16 ½) a few months later. I’m in the process
of retiring now to the Seattle area, but I leave with gratitude to all who have made it possible for me to "do what I loved" and to
Michelle and the staff (Jane, Barb, Rosie, Judy, Cindy, Kay) who will continue to provide state-of-the-art dog-and-people-friendly care and
training to dogs and their persons.