Woman who trained Obama family dog Bo dies aged 52

Washington, Jan 16 (ANI): The woman who trained US President Barack Obama's pooch Bo has passed away at a Virginia hospital.

Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz died Wednesday of respiratory failure, her ex-husband Paul Stasiewicz said Saturday.

The 52-year-old started training Bo, the Portuguese water dog, at the suggestion of Vicki Kennedy, the wife of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.

The Kennedys had previously trusted Sylvia-Stasiewicz with training their dogs.

Sylvia-Stasiewicz initially had no idea the dog that arrived at her Virginia home two years ago was destined for life at the White House.

The trainer was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1958. In the 1990s she founded Merit Puppy Training, which focused on training dogs through positive reinforcement.

Her experience formed the basis for a 2010 book, "The Love That Dog Training Program," which she co-wrote with Los Angeles-based writer Larry Kay. (ANI)