Dear Friend,
Your monthly generosity is doing more than you may realize—it’s helping children like Yelani feel safe, supported, and ready to show up for life’s moments.
Since Autism Assistance Dog Percy was placed with the family this past summer, Yelani has been able to join his family in more public spaces—experiences that once felt overwhelming now feel possible. Percy offers steady comfort and grounding when Yelani is dysregulated, helping him feel safe, supported, and confident as he navigates the world around him.
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| One especially meaningful moment came at Yelani’s school field day, where he proudly participated for the very first time—with Percy by his side. His mom, Yesica, shared how excited Yelani was to attend and be part of the day, something she never imagined before Percy. Moments like these are a direct result of your ongoing commitment.
Your monthly generosity ensures dogs like Percy are expertly trained and thoughtfully placed, opening doors to connection, independence, and joy for the families who need them most. Thank you for making life-changing moments like this possible.
With gratitude,
Bryan Williams
CEO, Dogs for Better Lives |
| | Autism Assistance Dog Percy was placed with Yelani's family last year. Having Percy by his side has opened many new doors for Yelani. |
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| 🎉 Welcome to our newest Pack Members! 🎉
Billie, Demarise, Leslie, Eric |
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| | | Halligan had a growth spurt! As Jill shares, "Halligan is growing up to be a BIG boy. He is now 55+ lbs and will continue to grow until he is about one year old." Along with his physical growth, his confidence and skills in public settings continue to shine.
One of Halligan’s greatest talents is his ability to brighten everyone’s day. Jill notes that "one of Halligan’s finest skills is making people smile when they see him." As they visit more stores and attend meetings, Halligan is practicing polite greetings—often with a big “handshake”—and showing excellent manners by quietly settling under the table during meetings. His calm, composed behavior in these environments is a wonderful sign of his progress.
Life at Home
At home, Halligan enjoys a well-balanced mix of playtime and relaxation. Jill says, "Halligan enjoys squeaking his ball, playing with his stuffed toys and quietly watching the wild turkeys, deer and rabbits walk by the fence." These peaceful moments help round out his busy training schedule and show his ability to relax and observe his surroundings.
Overall, Halligan continues to be a joy to work with. As Jill sums it up perfectly, "He is a pleasure to work with." We’re excited to see how he continues to grow and learn in the coming month.
Stay tuned for the next update on Halligan’s journey! |
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| | Assistance Dog in Training Rooster Masters New Tasks
Rooster has been hard at work learning Squish, practicing deep pressure therapy on a big stuffed animal during training. Squish teaches dogs how to apply calm, steady pressure—an important skill used in both our Facility Dog and Autism Assistance Dog programs to provide comfort, grounding, and emotional regulation. Watching Rooster master this skill has been a joy! |
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| | The Importance of Puppy Raisers
Puppy raisers make our mission possible—quite simply, the more puppies raised, the more people DBL can serve. Each volunteer who opens their home helps move another dog through our program and closer to a life-changing placement. As one client shared, "Harper’s Puppy Raisers did a fantastic job of raising Harper into a confident, adventurous dog who loves to please! I can tell she has been loved since day one. Her reasoning and critical thinking skills are sharp and she is confident in public." Learn more about this rewarding volunteer opportunity that makes a big impact.
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| | Certified Hearing Dog Harper |
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| | Puppy Raising Adventures
DBL staff member Donna has raised multiple puppies for Dogs for Better Lives. She even had two puppies at once for a brief period: Doris who recently began her professional training and 10 week old Nessie. The two pups shared plenty of cuddles before Doris headed off to training.
Donna shares her knowledge with all of our volunteer Puppy Raisers as DBL's Puppy Program Manager. When asked about Puppy Raising, she said, "My favorite part is the first few months when everything is so new to them, watching them explore their world and learn to take it all in stride. And when they look at you, their little eyes are so full of joy, trust and love! Best feeling ever!" Learn more about puppy raising.
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| | DBL puppies Doris and Nessa enjoyed snuggles before Doris turned in for professional Service Dog training. |
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| | Robin and Hearing Dog Halo's Story
Facility Dog Nexa was featured on the news, shining a spotlight on the incredible work happening through DBL and the Child Advocacy Center where Nexa and her handler Adrienne work. The two have been working together for the past 6 months, and have already impacted many children and families. The reporter shared, "Nexa is absolutely perfect!" Watch the news story.
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