Surrounded by paintings, drawings and etchings of dogs, cats, bears and other animals at the Jefferson County Historical Society’s “Artists // Animals” exhibit, Gobi, a yellow lab puppy, was working hard. All squishy and fluffy, 4-month-old Gobi wanted to run around and play. But she knew if she stayed still, her human, Emily Niedfeldt, would give her a treat. Niedfeldt and Gobi are part of the Puppy Pilots program and one of five puppy-trainer teams who taught visitors about the joys of puppy raising Jan. 19 at the Jefferson County Historical Museum. “We don’t often have live animals in here, so when we do, it’s a pretty special occasion,” said Angie Bartlett, JCHS administrative assistant. The guide dog meet-and-greet was one of the museum’s final “Animal Encounters” programs, which were inspired by the “Artists // Animals” exhibit that will run through Feb. 19. “Our jobs as puppy raisers are basic obedience, house training and socialization,” said Deb Cox of Puppy Pilots, a local puppy raiser club for the organization Guide Dogs for the Blind. “The puppies need to have been exposed to everything an average person might do in life, like riding the bus, taking the ferry, going to a concert, or attending a class.” Guide Dogs For the Blind breeds about 800 puppies each year. But before the puppies are old enough to be trained as guide dogs, they need some basic house and obedience training. That’s where the Puppy Pilots come in. Volunteers in Sequim and Port Angeles recieve puppies from Guide Dogs for the Blind and train them for about 13 months before the dogs go off to “college,” and learn how to be guide dogs for the blind. After they graduate, each pup is paired with someone who is visually impaired. “We do positive reinforcement training,” said Niedfeldt. Bringing their puppies with them to events, on walks through busy streets, and in public transport helps the dogs prepare for what they will learn in college. At the doggy college, the pups are trained to stop at elevation changes such as curbs and stairs. They’re taught to listen for cars, especially electric cars, and they’re even taught to press the walk button at a street crossing. “As soon as they have that harness on and they leave the door, they’re working,” Cox said. “And they’re thinking the entire time.” It’s hard work for the dogs to learn all of that, Niedfeldt said as she placed Gobi back in her carrier to go home. Gobi, who immediately started to fall asleep after her big day, agreed.