EPIC Pals graduation ceremony

Elyse shows the crowd the tricks she taught Aurora during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Fishbone gets some love during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Veto shows off his tricks during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Veto shows off his tricks during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Amiya introduces herself to the crowd during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Fishbone shows the crowd a trick during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Keiasia, left, and her big sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Johanna Walton, show the crowd the tricks they taught Fishbone during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Keiasia, left, and her big sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Johanna Walton, show the crowd the tricks they taught Fishbone during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower  youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Fishbone investigates the crowd during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Jennifer Deschenes runs with Aurora during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Elyse shows the crowd the tricks she taught Aurora during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Aurora raises her paw as Jennifer Deschenes rubs her belly during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Elyse, left, and her big sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Jennifer Deschenes, show off the tricks they taught Aurora during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

The crowd watches the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Melissa Lukes and her little sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Amiya, sit with Veto during the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Amiya works with Veto before the EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)

Aurora prepares for her EPIC Pals graduation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Cape Girardeau. The Early Prevention Impacts Community dog-training program lasts eight weeks, and helps empower youth with communication skills and helps to manage emotions. (Laura Simon)