Prancing Paws gets all the 'awwws' with canine performers

A little music and a few treats make for a playful, pup-tastic performance.

Well, maybe more than a few treats.

"Our dogs work for treats," Prancing Paws performer Le’tana Lickfold said, "and more treats, and more treats, and more treats."

Prancing Paws features five friendly canines that dance, roll over, spin and burst through obstacles at the direction of their owners, as well as help with theatrical storytelling and therapeutic interactions, all for the love of dogs and community. It is one of two dog performance teams at the not-for-profit Coeur d'Alene Dog Fanciers, the other being Loose Leash Ladies.

The Prancing Paws team visited Legends Park Assisted Living for a feel-good Friday afternoon, filled with upbeat music, joyful residents and adorable dogs. On deck for the entertainment was Lickfold with 6-year-old Labradoodle, Bella; Carie Sexton with 3-and-a-half-year-old Jack Russel terrier Kimber; Terri Sexton with 3-and-a-half-year-old Jack Russel terrier Tucker; Nancy Pawlac with 8-year-old Portuguese water dog Bodhi; and Sue Stiles with 5-year-old Australian Labradoodle Zola.

"This is totally awesome," said Legends resident Gary Barrier, 81. "I'm a dog lover, and it really made my day. It really made my day today. Having a dog at our age extends your life at least five to 10 years, without a doubt. It's just so wonderful."

Sitting next to Barrier were Marie Finley, 83, and Carole Alcock, 88, whose joy could be felt from across the room as the charismatic canines performed their tricks and engaged with the audience.

"They're just wonderful," Finley said. "They make you happy. If you're not happy, if you're mad, you come out here and you're laughing. They're just beautiful."

Alcock said her dog died in Montana before she moved to Coeur d'Alene, "so I was glad to see dogs again," she said.

"We always had them at the ranger stations because we'd have bears," she said.

As well as winning hearts with their jumps and twirls, the dogs of Prancing Paws hold such credentials as Canine Good Citizen, therapy dog certifications and trick titles. They also participate in ongoing educational classes for agility, obedience and nose work.

Coeur d'Alene Dog Fanciers members and canines can often be found helping with local programs and charitable causes, including gathering books to donate to schools, raising money for protective vests for K9 officers and responsible dog ownership training.

"I like to see what the dogs do in the reflection of the people," Lickfold said. 

And the joy those pups bring as they jump through hoops or bust through smiling, sunny obstacles?

"Those are the showstoppers," she said.

    From left, Marie Finley, Carole Alcock and Gary Barrier enjoy a feel-good Friday while watching Prancing Paws performances at Legends Park Assisted Living.
  

    Kimber, a Jack Russell terrier trained in tricks, agility and more, bursts through a sunny obstacle hoop at the direction of owner Carie Sexton during a Friday Performance of Prancing Paws.
  

    The Prancing Paws crew. Front row, seated, from left: Bodhi, Zola, Kimber, Tucker and Bella. Back row, standing: Nancy Pawlac, Sue Stiles, Carie Sexton, Terri Sexton and Le'tana Lickfold.