Special Skills: Cassie was mother to 18 puppies. When parenting duties were over she excelled at finding bears, bear sign and chasing and tracking bears by air scenting. Cassie was tireless. When all the other dogs tired of barking, she went the extra mile. She had an amazing ability to figure out what needed to be done and the spirit to do it.

Education Level: Cassie completed Intermediate Obedience and earned her Canine Good Citizen Certificate. This certification reflected Cassie's obedience level, the special ability to be affectionate with children, and to work well with and among the public.

Personality: Cassie was extremely independent and businesslike, intelligent, loved to chase bears and had a very dry sense of humor.

The Partners in Life Program is dedicated to "Cassie" the Wind River Bear Institute, Partners in Life Program founding lead dog. Always at Carrie's side, Cassie led the effort from the beginning. Until now there have been no alternatives for problem bears other than relocation or destruction. The Partners in Life Program, using Karelian Bear Dogs and a human to bear teaching method called "Bear Shepherding" have developed an effective solution providing for a long-term coexistence between humans and bears.

Cassie died of cancer on April 6, 1999. She died in Carrie's arms. With her life's work this canine hero changed bear management for all time. Cassie's pups have stepped forward to continue what their indomitable mother began.

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