Dear Friend,
As a member of The Pack, you have made a difference in the lives of our clients and dogs. This is clearly illustrated by a recent 3-year follow-up our team had with Stacy and her Certified Hearing Dog, Marshall.
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| When we talked to Stacy about Marshall, she said she can’t imagine life without him—he alerts her to sounds at home and work, ensuring her safety and independence.
But Marshall’s impact doesn’t stop there. As a school principal, Stacy sees firsthand how he benefits her entire community. Her staff finds comfort in his presence, and her students learn valuable lessons in respect and kindness through their interactions with him.
Marshall has definitely changed Stacy's life for the better, and his whole community too! |
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| Thanks to donors like you, we’re growing our programs to help even more people—like expanding our From Shelter to Service Dog Program with Atlanta Humane Society, giving more shelter dogs a second chance as Service Dogs. Your commitment ensures that every day, more individuals experience the security, confidence, and joy that a well-trained Assistance Dog brings.
Thank you for being part of our mission,
Bryan Williams
CEO, Dogs for Better Lives |
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| 🎉 Welcome to our newest Pack Members! 🎉
Charyse, Deborah, Julia, Julie, Laurie, Rebekah, Robert, Taylor |
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| | | It's time for a pup-date from Rocky!
March was a busy month for Rocky as he continues his professional training at DBL’s West Campus with Certified Assistance Dog Trainer, Eli. Rocky has been sharpening his skills in sound work, adding new alerts like a door knock and phone ringing to his repertoire.
"Rocky is making great progress in his sound alerts, even when faced with distractions like toys on the ground, people petting him, and his handler in different positions," said Eli. "He’s a quick learner and eager to work!"
Training Adventure
During his public training outings, Rocky been practicing riding the bus. While he struggled to find his footing at first with all the stops and turns, by the end of the ride, he had settled in comfortably, even resting his head on Eli’s leg. His biggest challenge right now? Resisting the urge to roll onto his back for belly rubs when greeting people—who could say no to that sweet face?
With each training session, Rocky continues to grow in confidence and skill. We’re excited to see how he progresses in the months ahead!
Check back next month for another update from Rocky!
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| | From Shelter to Service Dog Program Expands to Atlanta
We're expanding our From Shelter to Service Dog program with the Atlanta Humane Society! This partnership means more shelter dogs will have the chance to become life-changing Service Dogs for people with disabilities.
By selecting shelter dogs with the right temperament and providing expert training, we’re opening doors to new opportunities for both dogs and people. And even if a dog in our program doesn’t become a Service Dog, the extra training will help them find loving forever homes. Read the news release.
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| | Autism Assistance Dog Franny Provides Connection and Companionship
Timmy’s family waited two years for Autism Assistance Dog Francine, or Franny for short. She’s been part of their family for three years now. For Timmy’s parents, Amy and T.J., Franny offers their son companionship and a soothing presence in a world that can often feel overwhelming. Read their story.
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| | Courtroom Training Session
Our West Campus Trainers had an incredible outing at the Medford courthouse, where Judge Bloom and his assistant Mallory welcomed Facility Dogs in training, Maggie and Scully, with open arms. Judge Bloom, a dog lover, and Mallory, who’s considering applying for a DBL Facility Dog, were enthusiastic participants—helping with greetings, petting the dogs, and even allowing us to take over their courtroom between sessions for training.
To further support our dogs’ exposure, they even reenacted the “ALL RISE” command, helping the dogs adjust to sudden changes in volume. These training sessions help prepare Facility Dogs in training for potential courtroom environments in their future roles. |
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| | Walking Together for Service Dogs
For more than 8 years, Dogs for Better Lives has proudly partnered with the Hearing Loss Association of America’s Walk4Hearing program, a fun initiative to raise awareness and funds for those affected by hearing loss. Over the years, this collaboration has proven impactful, with DBL receiving 40% of funds from walkers who designate the organization. Since 2017, DBL has received $36,500 for the general fund. Read more about this partnership and join a HLAA walk in your community.
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