Bear is a black Labrador retriever puppy who is in training to be a service dog.

He's also an avid theatergoer.

Bear's learning to be a guide dog for the blind or assistance dog for a disabled veteran, and with his handler, Winona Fuller, he goes anywhere and everywhere to experience the world.

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And for this cultured pup, everywhere includes plenty of Broadway shows.

He's been to see "In Transit," took in "Come From Away" both in Washington, D.C., and on Broadway, and recently visited "Anastasia" — dressed in his homemade "Dogmitri" bandana in homage to Derek Klena's character.

He also sees lots of shows at the Signature Theatre, which is located near Fuller's home in Virginia.

"Typically, the theater is a very warm and welcoming place," Fuller said, adding that she gets lots of questions and a few startled glances.

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Bear is the 10th service dog who Fuller, 20, a vet tech student at Northern Virginia Community College, has raised, starting when she was 13. She says Bear is "very special" and has exceeded all of her expectations.

She's had Bear since he was 8 weeks old, and he saw his first show when he was 4 months old.

Bear is trained through the Guide Dog Foundation, which has provided service dogs and training free of charge to those in need since 1946.

Bear will return to the Guide Dog Foundation soon to continue his training.

His "little sister," a baby golden retriever named Cooper, who Fuller just started training, is slated to see her first Broadway show in October.

Check out Fuller's first-person account of Bear's trip to "Anastasia" below:

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"Taking a working dog to a Broadway show can be an adventure in and of itself ... can be totally worth the hassle for all the fun though — if planned carefully.

"PSA for anyone taking a service dog with them to the Broadhurst — aisle orchestra seats offer a good amount of room for a well-trained 40 to 50 pound dog to lay down. My 47 pound black lab Bear was facing out into the aisle with minimal spillage.

"Having a dog face into the aisle so close to the stage, however, leads to dogs watching the show. Which can be okay in short doses depending on the dog, but is generally not a good habit.

"Bear was really intrigued during the initial palace raid with all the shooting, "Once Upon a December" with the light show, and he LOVED watching "Paris Holds the Key to Your Heart" (Dog after my own soul apparently).

"He was a bit fooled by all the clapping a few times (he's been to so many shows he knows the difference between individual song clapping and end-of-show clapping, but a particularly hearty round will trip up his radar. Which means the show was packed and enthusiastic!).

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"The ushers were amazingly helpful when we got crammed by the crowds and helping us navigate when needed. SUPER crew compared to many shows I've seen.

"I've never officially stage-doored with a dog before, but really wanted to do so this time so we did a quick bolt after bows and made it before the crowds got there. Being against the fence helped immensely and allowed him to be safe against the crowds.

"The cast was LOVELY and AMAZINGLY FAST. Truly the quickest but sweetest stagedoor I've ever attended. The cast was also amazingly polite with Bear, so huge points from me for being service dog-friendly (the most they tried to interact was polite petting).

"Sadly I couldn't get a picture with Derek and Bear in his bandana but I got a few by the door so not bad - and much less stressful.

"I'm so happy this awesome show got to likely be my last show with my beloved boy — and thanks to the terrific cast and crew for making this one of the best stageDOG experiences I've ever had."

To find out more about the Guide Dog Foundation, or to make a donation, visit guidedog.org.

Ilana Keller: 732-643-4260; ikeller@gannettnj.com