Orphan dog to perform in 'Annie' at the River Campus | News

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - Southeast Missouri State University says Lloyd, an 18-month old hound mix and Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary "adoptable,” will be playing the part of Annie's dog Sandy in productions of "Annie" at the River Campus.

"Annie” will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 through 21 and Feb. 23, 8 p.m. Feb. 22 and 2 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

"I am certain that audiences will love Lloyd,” said Amy Fritsche, director of "Annie.”

Melanie Coy of Jackson, Mo., Lloyd's trainer, said Lloyd is well suited to play Sandy.

"Lloyd is Sandy: a dog of the streets, thrown away and forgotten until some very special people came into his life and gave him the ultimate gift of love,” Coy said.

Lloyd was surrendered to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri and transferred into Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary in Jackson, Mo., as a candidate for obedience training through the Department of Corrections, Puppies for Parole program. His training was completed through the Boothealer program offered at Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston, Mo.

Puppies for Parole is a program which pairs inmate handlers and dogs for an obedience training program.

"It enriches the lives of all involved,” Coy said. "The men have worked tirelessly to prepare Lloyd for his role as Sandy.”

In addition to working with trainers, Lloyd is scheduled for four rehearsals with the cast and will be very well prepared to assume his role.

"He actually seems to glow when the music comes up,” Coy said. "In his doggy way, he is aware that something magical is about to come to him. He's that kind of dog, sweet, mild natured and eager to please. He's unflappable with heavy activity and willing to do whatever is asked of him.”

Lloyd is available for adoption through Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary. He is fully vetted, comes with a complete diary of his time spent in training and is ready to gain his certification as a Canine Good Citizen as set forth by the American Kennel Club. Lloyd would be suitable for a family or even an older person. He is gentle and eager to please.

"Lloyd is a dog that was found as a stray, basically thrown away,” Coy said. "Under normal circumstances he may have been nothing more than a euthanasia statistic, but thanks to Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary and the Missouri Department of Corrections, he was given a second chance.”

Coy became involved in obedience training in 1984 and began offering obedience classes professionally in 1998. Her main focus is community programs designed to address behavior issues confronting dog owners that put dogs at risk of surrender to shelters. Her work also addresses the needs of dogs already displaced and living in shelters and/or rescues to enhance adoptability. She has served three years as trainer of record for the Missouri Department of Corrections, Puppies for Parole and Boothealer dog training program based in the Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston, Mo.

"We are all very grateful for this opportunity,” Coy said. "On behalf of the men and Lloyd, I thank you in advance for the chance to show the world what throw away dogs are all about.”

The Broadway classic and Tony Award-winning musical "Annie” is a familiar show for kids of all ages, who will laugh and cry with little orphan Annie and the hilarious characters in this fantastic show. The musical will feature songs such as "Hard-Knock Life,” "Tomorrow” and "Easy Street.”

Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by calling 573-651-2265. Tickets also may be purchased at RiverCampusEvents.com.

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