Dear Friend,
Your monthly support through The Pack makes stories like Facility Dog Scully’s possible—stories filled with love, hope, and life-changing impact.
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| Scully was recently placed with Jen at the Charlevoix County Prosecutor’s Office in Michigan, where he’ll be supporting victims of abuse and neglect. From comforting children as they share difficult stories, to standing beside them as they testify in court, Scully will be a steady and reassuring presence during some of life’s hardest moments.
He has a friendly, affectionate personality and is already beloved by everyone he meets.
His trainer, Dana, gave him a tearful sendoff at our West Campus, which shows the deep care and connection our dogs receive throughout their training.
Facility Dog Scully is trained in a range of tasks—lap, visit, settle, shake/wave—and even learned a brand-new one on placement: high five! We know this incredible team is going to do amazing things together.
Thank you for helping to make Scully's placement possible. It means the world to so many!
With deep gratitude,
Bryan Williams
CEO, Dogs for Better Lives |
| | Jen and Facility Dog Scully |
| Scully says goodbye to his DBL trainer, Dana |
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| 🎉 Welcome to our newest Pack Members! 🎉 |
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| | | It's time for a pup-date from Rocky!
April has been another milestone month for Rocky as he continues his professional training at DBL’s West Campus with Certified Assistance Dog Trainer, Eli. This month, Rocky added a big sound to his growing list as a future Hearing Dog—he’s now working on alerting to smoke alarms!
“Rocky is making great progress! He’s begun practicing his sound alerts in public, with cues like someone saying ‘excuse me’ or a phone ringing nearby,” said Eli. “He’s picking it up quickly—I have no doubts he’ll master it in no time.”
Training Adventure
Rocky had a special outing this month—he joined his amazing Puppy Raiser family to walk in the annual Pear Blossom Parade in Medford! He soaked up all the attention from the crowd and handled the excitement like a pro. His parade debut was a hit!
Back at West Campus, Rocky continues to work on polite greetings. He’s learning that sitting or lying down is much better than rolling over for belly rubs (though we agree—he’s pretty irresistible!)
Each week, Rocky is becoming more confident and focused. We’re proud of his progress and can’t wait to see what’s next!
Check back next month for another update from Rocky!
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| | Spring Impact Report
Thanks to your generosity, the first three months of 2025 were filled with incredible milestones for Dogs for Better Lives! With your support, we’re reaching more people with disabilities, rescuing more dogs, and expanding programs that change lives every single day. Thank you for making it possible! Read the impact report.
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| | Bone AppeTREAT is on May 15, 2025!
We're hosting our 3rd annual Bone AppeTREAT, we’d love for you to join the fun.
Watch parties are planned in:
- Central Point, Oregon
- Falmouth, Massachusetts
- Carlsbad, California
- Napa, California
- Kirkland, Washington
- Dallas, Texas
- Portland, Oregon
You can also watch virtually, from the comfort of your home! Learn more about the event and RSVP here!
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| | A Perfect Match: How Duke became Nicole's 'Ears'
Nicole wasn’t hesitant at all when she first considered applying for a Hearing Dog. In fact, she was excited to learn how a specially trained Service Dog could help her navigate daily life. Former shelter dog, Duke was transformed into a certified Hearing Dog, and has made more independence possible for Nicole. Read their story.
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| | Facility Dog Leash Hand-off Ceremony
In mid-April, we hosted a very special Leash Handoff Ceremony for three Facility Dogs and their new handlers. The dogs have just completed months of professional training at Dogs for Better Lives, preparing them for this exciting moment. The Facility Dogs will be working with clients in various fields - all supporting children. Watch the ceremony.
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| | Northeast Campus Dogs Enjoy the Spring Weather
At our Northeast Campus in Falmouth, our future Service Dogs in Training know the value of a beautiful spring day! While their days are filled with important training and skill-building, moments like these in the play yard are just as essential to their development. Playtime helps our dogs build confidence, strengthen social bonds, and release energy in healthy ways—setting them up for success as well-rounded, happy Service Dogs.
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