Dear Friend,
Our team recently had the honor of placing Facility Dog Teddy at Boston Children’s Hospital. Teddy began his role alongside Erin, a Child Life Specialist, and will be supporting children and families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Your consistent support makes it possible for dogs like Teddy to be trained, placed, and ready to serve year-round, meeting communities at the moment they need it most.
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| During placement, Teddy visited units across the hospital, including the Acute Cardiac Care Unit, where some children spend a year or more waiting for a heart transplant. Teddy will assist in therapeutic interventions throughout the hospital—motivating kids during OT and PT sessions, helping them stay calm and focused during procedures like ultrasounds or blood draws, and offering moments of comfort and normalcy in an environment that can often feel overwhelming. Whether using skills like lap, visit, retrieve, or settle, Teddy brings both purpose and presence into every space he enters.
Beyond his impressive training, Teddy’s gentle, cuddly nature will be a source of comfort during long hospital stays and difficult conversations—moments Erin navigates daily, from explaining medical procedures to discussing life-altering diagnoses or helping families prepare for the transition home. Watching Teddy connect with children and families, especially during the holiday season, was a powerful mission moment for our team.
Thank you for your role in making this possible!
With gratitude,
Bryan Williams
CEO, Dogs for Better Lives |
| | Facility Dog Teddy joined Boston Children's Hospital as their first Facility Dog in November. |
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| 🎉 Welcome to our newest Pack Members! 🎉
Kay, Jessie, Bruce, Sonya |
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| | | We’re excited to share this month’s update on Halligan, now 7 months old, who continues to grow—both in size and skill—as he moves forward on his Service Dog journey.
Training and Adventures
Halligan keeps growing and growing and now weighs almost 50 pounds. This month, his Puppy Raiser Jill has been taking him out to a variety of public places so he can practice calm, focused behavior in real-world settings. Together, they’ve visited a local restaurant, the supermarket, and several other busy locations.
Halligan has done a wonderful job staying focused on Jill, even with all the distractions around him. His attentiveness and eagerness to work make training a true pleasure. In the coming week, Halligan and Jill are looking forward to visiting campus for puppy class, where he’ll have the chance to show off all that he’s learned so far.
Life at Home
While Halligan is working hard, he also knows how to enjoy his downtime. He loves playing with his friend Harlie and his sister Vanessa. The trio run, chase balls, and enjoy all the fun that comes with being dogs.
After a good romp, Halligan is happy to stand patiently in the shower for a rinse when he gets dirty. He’s even learned a fun new skill—giving a big “wiggle” afterward to shake off the extra water. As he continues to mature, Halligan is becoming not only more confident and capable, but also a very handsome young dog.
Stay tuned for the next chapter in Halligan's journey, next month! |
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| | Nicole's Return Home, with Certified Hearing Dog Freya
For years, DBL client Nicole thought returning home as a Deaf nurse was beyond her reach. Then Certified Hearing Dog Freya entered her life, bringing confidence, connection, and independence. What followed was a transformation neither of them could have imagined. Read their story. |
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| | Shelter Dog Petey Leveling up his Training
Petey took his training session to Olive Garden, working on his obedience skills in public and showing off some impressive settling skills alongside three other dogs for the very first time. Experiences like this are a crucial part of our From Shelter to Service Dog program, helping dogs learn to stay calm, focused, and confident in real-world environments. We’re so proud of Petey and the entire team for this huge step forward on his journey to becoming a Service Dog!
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| | Robin and Hearing Dog Halo's Story
Before Certified Hearing Dog Halo was placed with Robin, venturing into public spaces were overwhelming. “When I started losing my hearing, it made me really anxious to go out, especially to new places and with new people,” Robin shares. Conversations blurred, and she often felt lost. Now with Halo at her side, that fear has eased. Read their story.
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| | A New Beginning with Autism Assistance Dog Star
When autism assistance dog Star joined Jacob and his family in July, it was love at first sight. In just a few short months, Star has become a steady, joyful presence—helping Jacob find comfort during overwhelming moments and bringing the family closer together. Read their story. |
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| | Tito's Handmade Vodka Makes Gift to Support Veterinary Care and Campus Enhancements
We are excited to announce a transformative $50,000 gift from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the Vodka for Dog People, in support of its Service Dogs and Northeast Training Campus in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The generous contribution will fund essential veterinary care and critical improvements to our Northeast campus that will enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall training environment for both dogs and staff. Read about how this gift will help. |
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