Athens the Dog can Paint a Pretty Picture!

There is a Golden Retriever in Vancouver, Canada that can really paint a pretty picture.  The dog, named Athens, is a 5 year old assistance dog.  His human companion, Sherry Caves took the time to teach him how to paint.  

She stated, 'I just made him learn that he has to touch the paper with his paintbrush before he gets any food.'  

Sherry now married with a son has been confined to a wheelchair since she was 7 years old after getting a spinal injury in a car accident that involved a drunk driver.  Athens is her personal assistant and helps her out with activities that she can't easily do.  

He's my right-hand man, my little sidekick...He pulls me up the hills in my wheelchair and I don't have to rely on my husband and son,' said Sherry of her beloved and artsy pooch.  Athens has been trained by the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society.  He can also turn on light switches, open the door and pick up things that Sherry drops.  

Sherry started training Athens after seeing a video on Youtube.com. 'About a year ago I saw a video on You Tube about an assistance dog back east in the U.S. who could paint,' she said.  To train Athens Sherry remarks, 'I just made him learn that he has to touch the paper with his paintbrush before he gets any food.'

Athens has so far completed about 8 different pieces that he's painted using a brush with the end stuck into a rubber ball.  One of the pieces was used by Sherry to make the family Christmas card for 40 recipients.

"I saw a candle, a tree and two doves, so I embellished it with gold paint and made it into a Christmas card," she said.

Athens's work is now going to help out the charity that trained him.  His work will be at auction at the PADS Mother's Day charity auction on May 10.  Proceeds will go to the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society.

Source: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=413e9217-0321-462d-9b94-f9185edaf49c&k=83971