Chulyen: The Gentle Galavanting Poodle Soul Changing One Life at a Time
There are dogs that simply do their job, and then there are dogs like Chulyen — whose very presence transforms lives.
Chulyen is a Galavanting Poodle who is a working service poodle. He has been on an extraordinary journey with his person, Evie. From the moment he went home with her, it was clear this pairing had something special. His calm, observant temperament made him stand out early in his litter. I knew he had the potential to provide the specific task-oriented service work that Evie needed in a service animal. But what he has become in the last two years has exceeded even my highest hopes.
Before Chulyen, Evie had a long history with intense working breeds such as German Shepherds and Border Collies. Dogs with sharp minds and strong wills. They were brilliant but often reactive, and their behavior required constant, careful management. Visits from friends or other animals meant juggling dogs from room to room. Going out in public meant being tightly leashed and hypervigilant. These dogs were deeply loved, but they made life heavy.
So when Chulyen came along — calm, social, steady — Evie was unnerved. She worried something was wrong with him. Could he really be that easy? Was he sick? “Normal” didn’t feel normal at all. Friends, veterinarians, coworkers, and even I all reassured her: this was just who Chulyen was. A poodle bred for soundness in mind and body. A dog who is ready to make life lighter.
Today, Chulyen is nearing the completion of his service dog training.
He accompanies Evie to her workplace and knows when it’s time to switch into work mode. When the harness goes on, he settles into focus. When it comes off, he gets to enjoy playtime, walks, and the joy of being a dog. This balance between service and spirit is vital for long-term success, and Evie handles it beautifully.
Chulyen has already been through situations that test even experienced service dogs. At a one training trip to the bustling Dimond Center, Evie and Chulyen encountered a whirlwind of chaos: people pushing past, touching him without asking, a child falling on him, and — perhaps most frustratingly — an untrained dog in a service vest who lunged and snapped at him. Through it all, Chulyen remained composed. No barking. No lunging. Just quiet patience and an occasional look to Evie for support and reassurance. He did need hugs along the way, but who wouldn’t?
He’s also a frequent flyer, with multiple flights under his belt. TSA at the Ted Stevens International Airport knows to look for Chulyen when they see Evie arrive for a flight! Chulyen navigates airports and airplanes with the calm focus of a seasoned pro. Once, during a security check, a TSA agent who was afraid of dogs hesitated to pat him down. But after seeing how gentle and still he stood beside Evie, she followed through — and afterward, thanked him for helping her overcome her fear. That’s the kind of dog he is: a quiet ambassador for his breed and his work.
Chulyen doesn’t just work — he connects. When Evie met a 15-year-old blind standard poodle named Chloe during a Costco trip, Chulyen was gracious and still as she approached and sniffed him. At home, he brings her items she’s dropped, even jumping off the bed to retrieve clothes she misfires into the laundry zone. He keeps vigil by her wheelchair at night, choosing to sleep beside it instead of the bed.
And, of course, he’s had adventures — from walking along the Trinity River and exploring the Redwoods to watching boats pass by in San Diego and calmly observing a K-9 unit on an old Navy ship. He met his cousins, played on the beaches, and kept his cool despite travel delays, buses, and hotel life. He even picked out a toy for himself, ignoring flashy bones and bright treats in favor of a simple, soft stuffy toy he now cherishes.
For Evie, these moments bring a level of peace she never thought she would experience with a dog.
She often reflects on the contrast — the difference between needing to control every situation and simply trusting her dog. She can now host guests without tension, welcome other dogs, and move through the world knowing Chulyen has her back — literally and emotionally.
One friend told her, “Evie, this is your reward for all the time and energy you put into animals that no one else would have put up with. You deserved a break.” Chulyen is that break. That gift. That once-in-a-lifetime companion. And I couldn’t be prouder to have him representing Galavanting Poodles.
To Chulyen and Evie — thank you. Thank you for reminding me why I breed. Thank you for showing what’s possible when the right dog meets the right person. And thank you for letting me be part of this journey.