Connie Lemon & Albert

Hearing impaired since childhood, Connie never let any obstacles deter her from her goals. She excelled in school and became an Elementary School Teacher with a Master's degree in Education. Connie has over 20 years of experience as a teacher. She currently is the Physical Education Teacher at Arbutus Elementary School in Baltimore County, Maryland.

Albert is not Connie's first Service Dog, but he is the first to accompany her to school. Connie's first Service Dog, Duncan, provided Hearing Assistance for Connie while she was at home. Duncan was a Standard Poodle, so when it came time to seek a successor Connie was already convinced that she wanted to work with another Standard Poodle.

Connie and Albert met when Albert was 12 weeks old. His "baby" name in the litter stuck. He had been called Albert because his hair stuck straight up in every direction and he was truly the "thinkingest" pup in his litter of 11.

Immediately upon his arrival in Connie's life, Albert realized that his Partner did not hear everything he did. Her first alerted to doorbells, then warning beeps on smoke alarms; now he lets Connie know when then telephone is ringing.  When he's tired he nudges Connie to turn down the sound on their TV and just read the captions.

Albert accompanies Connie to school every day where he sits patiently while over 450 children each week participate in lively activities in "his" gym. At only 5 months old, Albert took Connie to safety when the new flasher fire alarm system failed to operate properly in her gymnasium. Albert heard the fire alarm bells in the hall and insisted Connie accompany him to an exit. He attends meetings, school and community events, and accompanies Connie to the grocery store, mall, and restaurants. When not needed Albert excels at becoming "invisible" while tucked under a table or Connie's office desk.

Connie, her parents and Albert spent the Summer 2003 break traveling throughout the Western United States where Albert visited national parks, visitors centers and even went into a cave. Like his Partner, Albert has become a teacher. He educates the public daily on the unlimited talents of a Service Dog.