Dear Friend,
I wanted to be the first to tell you about an exciting update from our From Shelter to Service Dog program. Last month, our first shelter dog coming out of the new program was placed - Facility Dog Walker. |
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| Last summer, our team met Walker at intake at Operation Kindness, a shelter in Texas. He was an owner surrender, but our staff saw his potential as a future Service Dog. Walker lived with a foster family while working on his professional training with our staff, and is now a Facility Dog offering support to at-risk students in an elementary school. We are so proud of Walker!
Our second shelter dog from the program, Annie, will be placed as a Hearing Assistance Dog later this month. We have already pulled three new shelter dogs into our program and can't wait to see them progress, and ultimately change the lives of a future client!
Your ongoing support has been instrumental in DBL's ability to continue training shelter dogs as Service Dogs - something we've been committed to since 1977. |
| | Facility Dog Walker poses with DBL Trainer, Melissa, at placement. |
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| We'll be publishing a press release to announce these accomplishments next week, but in the meantime we'd love you invite you to watch a brief video showcasing Walker's story. Your commitment makes these transformations possible, and we look forward to sharing more success stories as we continue this journey together.
Sincerely,
Bryan Williams
CEO, Dogs for Better Lives |
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| 🎉 Welcome to our new Pack Members! 🎉
Carol, Emily, Katherine, Trina |
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| The latest pup-date from Certified Hearing Dog, Emerald
We are happy to share that Certified Hearing Dog Emerald was placed with Joyce in Washington. Joyce is looking forward to having Emerald as a social bridge to be able to engage with people more, as she has been more withdrawn since losing her previous Hearing Dog. Emerald will also help let people Joyce meets know that she has hearing loss. In the home, Emerald will be working the oven timer, door knock, smoke alarm, and name call. Way to go, Emerald! We have enjoyed sharing Emerald's journey with you since she was just 8 weeks old, and we're excited to watch her thrive with Joyce.
Check out our article and video that shares Emerald's journey from puppy to Hearing Dog. |
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| | Introducing our next Pack Puppy, Rocky!
In honor of February's Puppy Love Month, we're excited to introduce 11 week old Rocky, a Black Labrador Retriever who was generously donated to DBL from Freedom Service Dogs in Colorado. Rocky's first chapter was an exciting one! He was flown by a private pilot who donated their time (and plane!) to bring Rocky to our West Campus. Then, Rocky met first-time Puppy Raiser Jenna, along with her two children. They were all excited to open their home and hearts to Rocky. And just like that, Rocky was off on his next adventure with his Puppy Raisers, embarking on their Puppy Raising journey. We will be sharing monthly updates from them starting next month!
Puppy Love Month is all about celebrating our Puppy Raisers and sharing this unique volunteer opportunity. The more Puppy Raisers we have, the more lives we can change in the future! Learn more about Puppy Raising and other volunteer opportunities here. |
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| | DBL's First Graduate from the Prison Puppy Raising Program in Ohio
We recently announced the successful graduation of Alder, the first DBL puppy to complete our innovative Prison Puppy Raising Program at Ross Correctional Institution (RCI) in Ohio. The program, designed to prepare puppies for future roles as Service Dogs for individuals with disabilities, engages incarcerated handlers in the training and development of these future service companions. Alder has entered his professional Service Dog training at our Northeast Campus in Falmouth, MA. Read more.
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| | Winter Impact Report
Thanks to our incredible donors and volunteers, we've reached significant milestones in our most recent fiscal quarter (Oct-Dec 2023). Together, we're creating a positive impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities through life-changing Assistance Dogs. To celebrate these achievements, we recently published our first quarterly impact report on our website. Read our Winter Impact Report.
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| | Upcoming Webinar: Choosing an Executer for your Estate Plan
DBL is proud to offer legacy planning resources to our entire community, and we have an upcoming webinar on February 22nd at 10am PST on an important topic - choosing an executor for your estate plan. In this informative half-hour, you will learn how to make the right choice for an executor, because the right choice can make all the difference! Our guest speaker, Adrian Snyder, is an attorney and serves as the Oregon Trust Manager for D.A. Davidson Trust Company. Learn more and RSVP today! |
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| | Checking in with Certified Hearing Dog Albus
We recently followed up with Candace and Certified Hearing Dog Albus who have been a team for one year! Albus is still acing his job—oven timer, smoke alarm, ring doorbell, door knock, and phone alarm—all mastered. Candace loves bringing him to work, where everyone has become attached to him. From errands to the grocery store, Target, museums, and even the bowling alley—Albus is by her side. Candace shares, 'Albus is my everything. He fills my heart.'
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| | Webinar Replay: Inside a Service Dog's Mind
In our recent webinar, DBL's VP of Program, Gwen Dudek, and West Training Manager, Emilia Wenner, shared the top temperaments and personality traits we look for in each of of programs. Then, they talked through the process we use to make magical matches happen between our Service Dogs and clients. Watch the replay.
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