Dear Friend,
Each new Service Dog Team is a reminder of what can happen when dedicated supporters, remarkable dogs, and deserving clients come together. Your monthly support helps provide the training, care, and individualized placement that make these connections possible, creating greater independence and confidence for the people we serve. Thank you for being part of that journey.
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In late June, we had the pleasure of placing Certified Hearing Dog Comet with Emma. Fresh out of graduate school and beginning her career at a law firm, Emma is excited to have Comet by her side both at work and at home. In the office, Comet will alert her to someone calling her name, a knock at the door, and eventually the ringing phone. Comet's new coworkers are already eager to welcome him to the team!
When the workday is over, Comet enjoys a quieter pace. He loves relaxing in a bean bag chair, watching the world go by from Emma's third-floor balcony, and helping her navigate daily life by alerting her to important sounds like the smoke alarm, alarm clock, phone timer, and door knocks.
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| We're excited to see all that this team will accomplish together. Thank you for making partnerships like theirs possible through your Pack Membership and for helping people and dogs build brighter futures together.
With gratitude,
Gwen Dudek
Interim CEO, Dogs for Better Lives |
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| 🎉 Welcome to our newest Pack Members! 🎉
Robin, Kathleen, Wanda |
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| | | Halligan's Training Journey Continues
Halligan has had a busy and productive month as he continues building the skills that will support his future career as a Service Dog. After spending a few weeks recovering from his neuter surgery with his Puppy Raiser, Jill, Halligan has returned to campus feeling refreshed and ready to get back to work.
A highlight of the month was a training evaluation trip to Lowe's, where Halligan did an excellent job navigating a busy public environment. Outings like these help dogs practice focus, confidence, and good manners while encountering new sights, sounds, and distractions.
Growing His Skill Set
Back on campus, Halligan has been hard at work strengthening his foundational training. Along with general obedience, he has begun learning some of the specialized skills he may one day use to assist a client. This includes behaviors like lap and visit, as well as tap, a foundational Hearing Dog task used to get a person's attention.
These early lessons help Halligan develop the communication and problem-solving skills that will be essential as his training progresses.
Perfecting the head-tilt
The entire DBL staff has been commenting on Halligan's efforts to perfect his "head tilt," which you'll see in his photos above. Each time there's a photo opportunity, Halligan brings his best efforts to look curious and ready for what's next. We think he's nailing it!
Stay tuned for the next update on Halligan’s journey! |
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| | Hearing Dog Maverick: A Loyal Partner in Every Moment
Since being matched with Maverick, David has gained a trusted partner who helps him feel safer, more connected, and more confident each day. From life-saving alerts to sounds, to the simple joy of companionship, Maverick's impact reaches far beyond his training. Read their story.
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| | Raising the next generation of Service Dogs
Volunteer Puppy Raiser Karla was inspired to raise future Service Dogs after witnessing firsthand how life-changing these partnerships can be. Today, she's helping Peak build the skills he'll need for the future while cheering him on through every milestone. Read their story. |
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| | Tonka Shows Off Skills
From Shelter to Service Dog Tonka recently made an appearance at Atlanta Humane Society's all-staff meeting, where he showed off his impressive skills and calm demeanor. It was a special opportunity for staff to reconnect with one of their favorite former residents and see how much he has learned since leaving the shelter.
Tonka is thriving in training and continuing his journey toward becoming a Service Dog as part of our partnership with Atlanta Humane Society.
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| | Facility Dog Tino Update
One year since placement, Facility Dog Tino continues to be a calm, reassuring presence for students at Bridgeway School, offering interactions such as visits, laps, waves, passes, spins, and squishes to help regulate emotions and redirect challenging behaviors. By encouraging students to request what they would like Tino to do, Megan has helped many become more communicative and less impulsive. It was inspiring to see students from last year’s placement still share such a strong bond with Tino, viewing him as a safe and trusted companion.
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