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Round of a-paws! Group of service dogs sit VERY patiently in their seats during a theater production of Billy Elliot while learning how to accompany their special needs owners
- Photo of service dogs watching Billy Elliot in a Canada theater has gone viral
- Image got 'lots of comments and heartwarming remarks,' like 'Best photo ever'
- It got a response from Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in Star Wars
- Images from Stratford Festival show the animals perched on seats in Ontario
- Snap shows a canine posing with ballet pumps and hanging boxing gloves
- Organizers of the Relaxed Performance, ideal for those with special needs, said they behaved perfectly while working with training handlers
- K-9 Country Inn Working Service Dogs practiced guiding people into bathroom stalls, getting through narrow aisles and generally navigating the theater
A photograph showing a group of service dogs watching a theater performance of 'Billy Elliot' in Canada has gone viral.
Images from the Stratford Festival shows the animals sat besides seats at the Ontario venue as they test out the show modified for audiences with special needs.
Snaps shared on social media that feature at least 10 pooches peeking over the seats received thousands of reactions online.
Organizers of the Relaxed Performance said the dogs behaved perfectly while working with training handlers so they could accompany theater-goers in the future.
'About a dozen dogs came to our relaxed performance, and they were all extremely well-behaved,' Stratford Festival spokesperson Ann Swerdfager told CBC. 'I was in the lobby when they came in, then they took their seats, then got out of their seats at intermission and went back — all of the things we learn as humans when we start going to the theater.
One picture shows a canine posing with a pair of ballet pumps and hanging boxing gloves from the show about a coal miner's son from Northern England who falls in love with classical dance.
On Friday, the image even got a response from Star Wars actor Mark Hamill.
He tweeted the hashtag 'dogs deserve their own musical', and added: 'The empty seats would be understandable if this was a performance of CATS.'
It was picked up by a Twitter account called We Rate Dogs that has 8.3 million followers.
Swerdfager said on Wednesday: 'Lots of comments and heartwarming remarks like "Best photo ever" too. It's been fantastic to watch it happen.'
The dogs were training for a situation where a handler with autism, for example, may want to attend the theater.
They practice guiding people into small bathroom stalls, getting through narrow aisles and generally navigating the theater without being distracted by sounds or delicious-smelling food.
The Relaxed Performances are ideal for those who need to vocalize and move more in shows, or cope better under softer lighting.
The owner and head trainer with K-9 Country Inn Working Service Dogs added that the event went well.
'All of the dogs were fantastic and remained relaxed throughout the performance. Some even watched through the cracks of the seats,' Laura Mackenzie told CBC. 'The dogs loved the show almost as much as their handlers.
'It's important to prepare the dogs for any activity the handler may like to attend. The theater gives us the opportunity to expose the dogs to different stimuli such as lights, loud noises and movement of varying degrees. The dogs must remain relaxed in tight quarters for an extended period of time.'
The doggie outing was also helpful for performers – especially young children appearing in Billy Elliot – so they can get used to staying in character under the watchful eyes of a pack of furry friends.
With the Stratford Festival holding performances until November 10 and hosting people with service dogs several times a week, the animals from K-9 Country Inn Service Dogs will return for another run-through when The Neverending Story plays on October 2.
The Crucible, Othello, Little Shop of Horrors and The Merry Wives of Windsor are also scheduled over the next few months.
'Everybody was so thrilled to see all these dogs at one time in the audience. It's really exciting. And it's thrilling to be part of something that is going to serve theatregoers of the future,' Swerdfager added.
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What a GREAT story....so cute thanks for sharing...
And I laughed out loud at Mark Hamill's tweet.....
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