Dear Friend,
Part of our lifetime commitment to every dog who enters our doors at Dogs for Better Lives is our follow-up program with active teams. Our client teams have frequent check-ins with our staff ensuring that the Service Dog is well cared for and meeting the client's needs. We often hear heartwarming stories at these follow-up visits, and I wanted to share Liz and Barley's story with you this month. |
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| We had placed Barley with Liz just over a year ago. During our visit last month, we witnessed firsthand the profound impact Barley has had on Liz's life in that amount of time. Liz’s demeanor has noticeably changed for the better over the past year. Last year, Liz was so nervous going out in public during placement. Not anymore! Her confidence being in public has soared, and she has definitely gotten out more with Barley at her side.
It's clear that Barley has done a wonderful job being a social bridge for Liz. Since being placed with Barley, Liz has gotten to know more of her neighbors. During a neighborhood walk we stopped and talked to three different people. Barley is loved by all that he meets. At home, he is working the Alexa timer, cell phone, smoke alarm, and door knock. |
| | Certified Hearing Dog Barley takes a break during a walk with Liz |
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| As you can imagine, the personalized attention for each of our clients requires both time and money, and your ongoing support makes it possible for continue to offer that high quality of care for our clients and dogs. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Bryan Williams
CEO, Dogs for Better Lives |
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| 🎉 Welcome to our new Pack Members! 🎉
Sandra |
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| | | It's time for a pup-date from Rocky!
Rocky has been doing great with his Puppy Raiser Jenna and her family! Jenna says, "It's been 3 weeks since Rocky arrived, and he's doing great. We've taken to calling him Rocky Rockstar because he's just so smart. He loves playing with our cat, eating, and chewing on everything. He's doing great on the leash, mastering his sit, and working hard on down. There has been a learning curve with 2 young kids and a puppy but everyone is adjusting well."
Fun story: "Rocky saved the day recently when my son lost his most precious sloth toy. We couldn't find it and there were tears at bedtime as he went to bed alone. Sometime the next day Rocky found it and went trotting by with it in his mouth. He executed a perfect drop on command and a boy and his sloth were reunited! It is debatable about whether Rocky originally stole it, as Slothie is often left in easily accessible places. We're giving him the benefit of the doubt and considering him a hero."
Be sure to check back next month for more from Rocky! |
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| | What it's Like to Raise a Future Service Dog
Tammy is a repeat volunteer Puppy Raiser with Dogs for Better Lives who just picked up her 4th DBL Program Puppy, Gizmo. We recently interviewed her about her experiences as a Puppy Raiser over the years. From the joy of early learning stages to the challenges of puppyhood, Tammy sheds light on what it takes to prepare future Service Dogs and why it’s a rewarding endeavor for anyone considering it. Read our Q&A with Tammy
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| | Watch the Replay: Choosing an Executer for your Estate Plan
DBL is proud to offer legacy planning resources to our entire community. We recently hosted a webinar on an important topic - choosing an executor for your estate plan. Our guest speaker, Adrian Snyder, is an attorney and serves as the Oregon Trust Manager for D.A. Davidson Trust Company. He provided some great tips. Watch the Replay. |
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| | Checking in with Certified Hearing Dog Wrigley
We recently followed up with Barbara and Certified Hearing Dog Wrigley, who have been together for just over 5 years. Barbara has been through a lot in these last five years - loss of family members, the pandemic, and her own health struggles. Wrigley has been her rock and companion for these past years. Wrigley works the door bell, oven timer, and smoke alarm. She loves when Barbara bakes for her church, because the oven timer is constantly going off and it's fun to work! Barbara stated so many times how she doesn't know what she would do without Wrigley. Wrigley makes her feel less alone, and has changed her life for the better.
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| | Thank you WoofTrax and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.
In 2023, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. and WoofTrax partnered up for 2023 STEP UP FOR SHELTERS®, a dog walking challenge to help shelter dogs in need. DBL received nearly $10,000 in in-kind product donations as a result of this collaboration. The support from Boehringer Ingelheim and WoofTrax will greatly aid DBL in its mission to enhance the lives of our shelter dogs in our Service Dog programs, as well as their future owners. Read the News.
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