Showing posts with label Service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Service. Show all posts

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Some Advice Before Availing Of A Bulldog Stud Service


There is a good chance that you have a bulldog bitch in heat right now and you would want to avail of a bulldog stud service. In this case you should be well prepared for some items or procedures you might come head to head with when you do avail of this service. This short article covers some basics of what you need to know.


A stud service is one that is extended by owners of male dogs or animals to owners of female animals. This is basically a mating service for the purpose of procreation and especially for the extension of champion bloodlines. It goes without saying therefore that owners of champion dogs will charge a premium on what they offer.


On average for a bloodline champion of over four generations can fetch as high up as 3500 dollars or more. This is because given the longevity of the period, there is a good chance that what pups will be born will become champions themselves in the future. This is advantageous to the client for he or she can actually turn a profit in the long run should the litter be healthy and plentiful.


The process begins with your bitch being approved first by the prospective stud provider. Approved means that she is in the prime of health and will have no complications during pregnancy. The sickness that is mainly looked out for is brucellosis. This is basically the canine version of a sexually transmitted disease, which can cause complications in pregnancy.


Once the health of the bitch has been cleared, particularly for brucellosis, then she is considered as an approved mate. When she has become approved, then conditions on the contract for mating can be discussed or negotiated. As it is a business transaction of sorts, the hiring of a bulldog stud for money, then a contract is very much needed to protect everyone involved.


On the male owner side, or the stud side, the stud provider guarantees that the dog he or she has is fourth generation pedigree. The provider will usually agree to adequate care given to the bitch while in their care. The provider usually provides a return service if the female bulldog does not conceive within 70 days. This is done usually only once per contract or per dog as the case may be.


The contract can also stipulate if the payment will include puppy sharing, wherein one pup is given as part of the payment for the mating. It also gives certain preconditions such as the seclusion of the bitch from all other dogs or contacts with other dogs during the duration of the contract.


These are a few considerations to know when you decide on taking on a bulldog stud service in the future. There are definitely other finer details that may be looked into once you get to the stage of breeding your bulldogs. To get more information, it is also wise to ask other fellow breeders specific questions and tips that you may have in terms of the process.


Read more about Some Important Things To Know Prior To Getting A Bulldog Stud Service visiting our website.




It should be a given for people who are thinking of purchasing silver Labradors to do so from a good breeder. This is because buying from a reputable one means that one can take advantage of a lot of benefits. Buying from a good breeder will certainly give people quality dogs. They invest everything they can into the breeding of the said pets, after all.


There are certainly lots of benefits to buying from good breeders. One of them is that the breeder can easily explain what it is that they went through just to make a good breed of dog. They should be able to explain enough of the dog’s upbringing. Not only that, they can emphasize specific qualities without forgetting anything.


There are also those times when they can provide the right papers for various health checks. The breeds might even be x-rayed for any possibility of hip dysplasia. There are also tests for any of their genetic faults. This also means that they can produce certification that will prove various claims they have on their breeds.


The reputable breeder is also someone who can provide the best assistance ever. There is no need to worry about the time when they will ask for assistance. This means that the said reputable breeder actually commits to a lifetime of assistance when replacing dogs with proven genetic faults. They can also help owners deal with such problems.


Reputable breeders are certainly knowledgeable enough in their field. They should be the ones who love breeds the most. This means that they can talk at any lengths, at any given time, about the breed’s background and their uses. Not only that, they can talk about the ideal type for this.


Only those who are seriously investing in their trade can be called reputable breeders. This means that they are seriously thinking about investing in the right dog equipment to have for the breeding. They should also be the ones to know how to make use of these things the most. Examples of these things are puppy pens, grooming tables, and crates.


It will be useful for the person to rely on those breeders who are members of national or local dog clubs. This is the best indication of their love for the said task. It will be good for them to go for the exhibition of their own dogs willingly to set up a standard for how to measure up the breeds that they have.


Showing off the litter is very easy for them. After all, they are confident on how the litter has been brought up. They can take advantage of showing off the sanitary environment that the breeds have grown up from. They also provide help for the buyers when it comes to the dogs.


The individual should consider all of these important information when thinking of buying silver Labradors. If the individual can take all of these information in mind, then it will be easier to deal with the selection. One can certainly find the best breeds to get for themselves when they know of these information.


You can visit the website silveroselabs.com for more helpful information about What To Know In Buying Silver Labradors From Reputable Breeders




Having a dog as part of the family is a wonderful experience. Many homes have a pet and would not want to be without them. However, a dog is also a serious commitment that will take up a lot of time and money. Before buying lab puppies in Cincinnati every family should think carefully and make sure they are ready for this big step in their lives.


Many children ask their parents for a puppy. Although this sounds like a wonderful idea, it should not be undertaken lightly. The puppy will need its own crate to sleep in and to stay secure when it is home alone. It will also need a well fenced and secure outdoor space to run and play. In addition every dog needs to be walked at least once a day to provide important exercise and to prevent boredom.


Walking the dog is one of the most pleasant family activities. No one is too old or too young to participate. Even the smallest member of the family can come along in the stroller to enjoy the fresh air and outdoor time. Dogs love to get out and stretch their legs and will be more than happy to go for as many walks as their owners can manage.


Good breeders are very responsible and only breed from animals with outstanding conformation and personalities. Some dogs are specifically bred to be working animals and these do not always make the best pets. It is vital to talk with the breeder about the type of home you are offering so they can make the best match. A quiet shy puppy may not be the best choice for a young family with small children.


The dogs should also be healthy and have had regular veterinary care. The puppy will need a series of vaccinations to protect them from rabies, distemper and other common canine illnesses. They should also have been treated for intestinal parasites and given a clean bill of health by a local veterinarian. Labradors are typically very healthy dogs, but it is still important to have them checked out and screened for any signs of a problem.


The breeder should be able to give the family plenty of help and advice. This begins with picking out just the right pup. Each dog has its own personality and characteristics. Some are very exuberant and love to be at the center of all the action. Others are a little more reserved and may be over whelmed by a busy household.


A good breeder will also be available to answer questions and provide help for their clients. It can be very reassuring to a new owner to know they have someone to call for help. Any problems should be addressed right away to prevent them from escalating.


Owning a pet can make a tremendous impact on people’s lives. They experience all the fun and friendship a dog can bring. For most owners their dog really is part of the family. With this in mind choosing the best lab puppies in Cincinnati is a process that should not be rushed.


Lab puppies in Cincinnati are ready to be adopted today. Come and see our online gallery by checking out this page http://www.gregoireslabradors.com.




Buying a new pet for the family these days is quite complicating and confusing. There are so many breeds available and you will have to go through a lot of searching to find the perfect one for all of you. Should you be interested in the Australian Labradoodles North Carolina is the place to go.


Many people like the idea of a large dog as they often offer some kind of protection simply by their size. Some people are afraid of large dogs and will stay away from your property in fear that they may be attacked. Of course this is highly unlikely as they are very gentle animals and will not be aggressive unless they are provoked.


Should you be looking for a large dog, you would do well giving a few things a lot of thought. They are usually easy to deal with and are not very demanding besides for their usual requirements. As with any animal in the house you will have to take care of him.


A very important thing to think seriously about is the length of coat you prefer in a dog. Should you not mind the idea of having some long hair around the house, then one of these would be fine for you to consider when buying one. You should however remember that the longer haired canine is going to require some attention. He is going to require regular grooming and someone in the family will have to be assigned to this chore. Grooming is very satisfying though as when you are finished, he looks great and his coat will shine and be unknotted and without any mattes.


When it comes to grooming, you will need the right tools for this job. They are usually available at any pet store. Regular grooming is very important, especially if you have a dog with long fur. These tend to get matted and knotty and you will be responsible for keeping him looking good at all times.


When it comes to grooming, every animal needs this and you should be aware of the effort this is going to take on a regular basis. This is also very rewarding as once they are groomed, they always look good. Keeping his coat in good condition is going to take some doing and you will also have to bath him at least once a month.


One should not be fooled into buying the cheap pet food at the supermarket up the road sells. This food has been proved to be of absolutely no nutrition for any animal. In some cases the ingredients have been found to be unfit for consumption by any living thing.


One will also have to have a good veterinarian as you would need to have him vaccinated and inoculated regularly in order to keep him healthy. Should you be interested in Australian Labradoodles North Carolina has many reputable breeders. Choosing the most reputable one is highly recommended.


You can visit the website www.ausmlabradoodles.com for more helpful information about Get The Purest Australian Labradoodles North Carolina Can Offer




The Havanese is a breed of Bichon dog. Havanese breeders encourage the domestication of these dogs because they are ideal pets. Small in size, with silky, long and colored coats, these animals are highly sociable and extremely loyal to their owners.


The main goal of a canine breeder is to facilitate reproduction of offsprings of a specific dog type. Its usual purpose is the selling of the litters to possible guardians. Reliable breeders ensure the quality of the puppies they distribute. Since anyone can be a breeder, it is best that you will be guided with useful indicators of the best propagators.


A responsible and good breeder allows you to take a look at the areas where breeding dogs and puppies stay. The areas should be conducive to the healthy reproduction and growth of puppies. The places should be spacious and well maintained.


The litters have to be tidy and active. The ability of the breed developers to mirror the quality of care that a pet guardian can provide may prove that they attend to their duties well. People like these should serve as an example to you as a future animal owner.


Breeding activity is not something that requires a proper training. However, the proof of membership to a certain organization of breed propagators provided by your chosen individual can be an evidence that he or she is serious with the job. Specialists should be well informed about the qualities and needs of the type of dog they are tending.


There are varied needs that a breeder should address to. This may include the provision of adequate living quarters sufficient for training and exercise of the dogs. Appropriate diet should also be part of the caring routine. Their active desire to increase the number of your visits as well with your family members are indicative of their willingness to let you build a bond with your future pet.


These experts have to have a strong relationship with one or more veterinarians by showing you records of veterinary visits. This will imply that they truly care for the well being of the puppies. Though he or she has a lot of connections, forcing you to affiliate with a specific vet should be enough to flare up warnings. A good breeder should provide you with a health guarantee and a written contract of your transaction.


The dog propagator should grill you with inquiries regarding how you will go about with taking care of the puppy. This will give you an idea of his affection and sincerity for the canines. At the same time, this will eliminate any doubts in your part.


If the Havanese breeders you have the gut for pass all these requirements, you are guaranteed that you will have a healthy and lively Havanese pet. However, there are organizations that suggest that people adopt puppies from a shelter or rescue centers. Owning a pet does have its benefits but getting these results might be a long process. The longevity of life and quality of health of the pet remain to be the greatest tasks of owners and do not solely rely on the hands of the breeder.


You can visit the website www.hilltophavanese.com for more helpful information about Qualities Of Responsible Havanese Breeders




One breed of dog that is recognized by many people are the distinctive sausage shaped red dachshunds. Some people have called them a dog and a half because of their shape which makes them longer than most breeds. Combine that with a loyal and friendly attitude toward their owner and it can be seen why this is a popular pet.


Although they are now often happy house dogs the breed was originally raised to be a hunting dog. Selective breeding in 18th century Germany of terriers and other types of dogs created a breed that could hunt burrowing animals such a rabbits or badgers. From that point on the breed became popular and was brought over to the United States around 1900.


The dog itself has two notable sizes of miniature and standard with other terms such as toy used by some groups and organizations. The miniature is around 5 to 7 inches in height and weighs about 12 pounds. The standard version is 8 to 11 inches in height with a weight that varies from 16 to 32 pounds.


The other aspect that sets the various breed apart is the different types of coats that they wear. They can be short haired, long haired or wire haired depending on their background. Many are more familiar with the short haired version that has the very close cropped fur. Some may be aware of the long hair variety which has a fine and long coat. And in Europe the wire haired variety which has a coat similar to a terrier is popular.


Coming from a hunting background these dogs are very protective toward their owner or family. They are generally friendly but tend to have an independent stubborn streak which can create problems if the dog is not trained well. But as long as the animal is trained well and given boundaries they will be excellent pets for you or your family.


These animals may also have problems with unfamiliar individuals or animals because of their hunting nature. They often have burrowing or chasing instincts in full gear which requires that they be watched in open spaces or on a leash so they do not go after the first squirrel that crosses their path. Because of their strong bonding they may also be a bit aloof or aggressive toward strangers when first meeting them.


One point to stress though with this animal is daily play and exercise to keep up its health. These dogs were raised to be active hunters so a slow paced inactive lifestyle can be harmful in the long run. Daily activity and play can keep the weight off the animal and prevent various health problems that inactive animals can develop. Be careful of any activity that repeatedly stresses its back though since that is a weak spot with many of these dogs.


Red dachshunds are the pet of choice for many households and families. Learn a bit about the animal before you bring one back to your home. Then provide the proper guidance and boundaries and you will have a faithful friend for many years.


You can visit the website camsdachshunds.com for more helpful information about Red Dachshunds Are A Dog And A Half




Pet bandanas occur in a wide range of varieties. Bandanas are put on pets for the sheer purpose of fun. It is very interesting to have your favorite animal wear it. The animals themselves enjoy wearing them. Try clothing your pet with one and see how they like it.


Clothing pets is a way of showing them love and affection. This practice is linked to the idea that since our children wear fanciful clothes, our pets should also be extended the same humane treatment. People did not like this idea initially but now it has spread faster than bushfire.


If you want to join the rest in the habit of buying clothes for pets, then ensure that you make an informed decision by weighing thoroughly a handful of factors. Consider the material and the color of clothing that your favorite animal fancies most. Once you establish such color patterns and material specifications, then purchase your animal a bandana. These precautions ensure that you buy something that is to the taste of your animal.


The material used to make the bandanas is important. As you buy head gears for your pets, avoid inflammable materials and those that easily attract dirt. A good example of such materials is cotton, which does not attract much dust and is reasonably fire resistant. Silk, on the other hand, should be avoided for it gets dirty easily and is prone to flames.


Check out the size of the bandanas you are buying. The size that you go for should correspond with the size of the head of your pet. To be sure, go for head gears that are slightly bigger than the head of your animal so as to ensure that they are neither too tight nor too loose. Taking your measurements before you go shopping is the best way to make sure that you buy ones that are going to fit well.


Another great way of avoiding problems when purchasing outfits for your animals is taking your animal along with you as you go buying the item. This is going to make things pretty easy for you. Ask the attendants whether they can allow you to try the bandanas on your animals before you buy them. This way, arriving at the right size is not going to be hard. This is easier than having to go home with it only to return it back to the shop.


As you try out the head gear on your cat or dog, be keen to observe the reactions of your animal. Though animals do not have the benefit of verbal expression, it is easy to tell how interested or disinterested they are. If after trying the bandana on the animal, they respond by wagging the tail or jumping up and down, then know that they are satisfied with the choice.


Pet bandanas occur in different colorful varieties. Since animals are generally insensitive to color, the color you go for depends on your own personal preferences. Go for very colorful patterns for these attract a lot of attention.


Read more about How To Choose The Best Pet Bandanas visiting our website.




Poodle parti pups are very smart and require a lot of attention. They are charming and fun to play with. They can bring joy to one’s life because they do animated and cute things. One must keep up with them and have the energy to do so. It is similar to having a small toddler around. Getting a puppy requires a lot of commitment so make sure you are ready for this before you get one.


This breed is very smart and will require a lot of training and attention. The smarter the animal is, the more attention they will need because they can get bored. Boredom can lead to behavior problems like chewing and barking. Proper attention curbs that problem and is the best way to make sure your pet is well-rounded and happy.


It is really important to think through getting a dog. There is usually an extensive adoption process for rescue dogs and when you buy one, you just pay the money and get to have it. There is still a fee for adopting a rescue dogs, but not as much as buying one from a breeder. If you buy one or adopt one, you will need to spend a lot of time with them and buy them toys so they do not get bored.


Good potty training will help ease a lot of your stress as a pet parent. When puppies learn bad habits, it takes time to unlearn it, but it is not impossible. Dogs are very smart creatures and can learn things all the time. It is much easier to teach them when they are younger, but when they are older, they can learn things, too. Once they learn something or unlearn it, they have very good memories.


Look online for a reliable breeder who can answer any questions you may have. They can also tell you what is available. These guys can be priced a bit high at times because they are AKC registered. The American Kennel Club has certain requirements for making a dog eligible for this. You check these requirements out by looking online or calling them on the phone.


Color is variable when it comes to the parti gene. Science has proven this in many cases. With dogs, this gene is shown as a white spot on the chest. Knowing what color you want ahead of time will help you decide which one to get. Some people change their mind later which means they may need to re-home the dog which is difficult to do. Try to prevent this if you can.


Make a financial budget if you decide to get a dog. They are not cheap so be sure you can afford it. They require medical visits and grooming if you can afford it. Food is also not cheap especially if it is high in protein which is good for them.


Poodle parti pups are adorable and can be a great addition to anyone’s home and family. They have many colors on their coat and not hard to take care of. See if this breed is the right one for you. Do your best to know this before you get one which will be less heartbreaking.


There are numerous online sources that contain useful information about how to adopt poodle parti pups. Refer to one of the Web’s most popular websites right here on http://poodlepartipups.com.




Australian Labradoodle therapy dogs are lovable. If you want to have one or a few, then you should look for a credible seller. You can be assured of the breed of the animals with a credible seller. This seller values his customers. He knows that one false move on his part, these customers will transfer business to his competitors.


He is not the only one selling this kind of breed in the market. There are many others in the market that customers can switch to. That is why to avoid this from happening, he sees to it that the needs of his customers are met. Knowing the needs of the customers is crucial to satisfying it.


Gift someone with this breed of the animal. Before you do that, make sure that the person to whom you will be giving the animal to has no problems with pets. Check if he is not allergic to fury animals. It is useless to gift someone who has no affinity with such animals and who has allergic reaction to furballs.


It is also offensive and disrespectful to give them the animal to pet with when you know that they cannot possibly have them around due to health reasons. So before you take the step of buying one, know this information first. Look for local breeders.


If the breeder is just from around the area where you live, you can easily drop by his kennel and inspect the animals yourself. The kennel is where he raised the animals for sale. This should be clean and very ideal for raising animals. Check if the kennel is licensed as well or has a permit from the local government. The breeder must have all the necessary documents proving that he runs a legitimate business.


Find out about the customers of the breeder. Know who have bought the animals from the breeder. The breeder can provide you some of his previous clients. They confirm to you if this breeder is any good and that if his animals are genuine. Know that there are animals that are not of purebred.


You can also see the animals for yourself. You can see if the animals are really that health as they appear on photos. Photos of these animals are posted in the website of the seller or in places that they are advertising on the internet. The breeder should be able to present to you the necessary papers for the release of the animals.


The animals should have completed the basic vaccination that it needs. Check who among your friends and relatives have the same breed of the animals. If they have several of these animals in their home, try to check if they could sell or give you one. It would be better if you will not pay for it but just in case they do, then it would be great.


This veterinarian must be able to issue a certificate certifying that the animals are in good health. The veterinarian must also be a certified doctor of animals in the area. With several breeders, you can compare the quality of their Australian Labradoodle therapy dogs. Take the time in assessing the quality of these animals. With the right breeder and information, you will find the best animal there is.


You can visit the website www.ausmlabradoodles.com for more helpful information about Find Quality Australian Labradoodle Therapy Dogs




It will be good for the person to buy Havanese puppies for sale. The best ones they can buy are from the casual breeders. The person will have to seek out these breeders. If the person relies on a casual breeder, then it will be easy to see that the said breeder are just there to have fun with the task of raising a good pet.


It is true that there are now numerous casual breeders nowadays. For the casual breeders, it is only natural for them to find a good partner for their family pets. They will look for convenient pets coming from a similar breed so that they can product purebreds. They should be able to guarantee bloodline, genetics, and breed improvement.


Most of the pets are certainly well loved. However, there is also the possibility that the bred pets might not have been cleared of their health histories. They might have lots of inheritable problems and even hip dysplasia. If the person does not take charge of these health issues beforehand, buying the pets might be difficult.


It should be a given to seek out the disadvantages for this option. While it might be advantageous for people to have the casual breeder give the breed, there are some disadvantages that one might want to rethink about. One of them is that there is no health guarantees to the purchase except the proof of shots.


The seller will need to have enough knowledge about the said option when they want to have dogs of their own. For example, it is necessary for people to have knowledge about the breed history of the said pets. However, there are also those people who will not really bother with such records since they think that they are simply raising pets.


There may be those sellers which know about the AKC breed standard even though they just sell for pets, though. They can even produce the right AKC papers or the championship pedigree as a good proof of the pet’s quality. However, they might still not have enough knowledge about it since they do not participate in breed clubs.


Think about the environment for the said pets. It is only natural to inspect the environment of where the pups grow up. This way, the person can determine whether there will need to be some improvements or not. Also, make sure that the environment of the said pups are in their best condition for their sake.


It might be natural for some people to not get to see the litter when they are planning to buy one. Of course, this is the right of the casual breeder after all. They can refuse letting others see the entire litter for some reasons of their own. Also, they have the right to decide on the price of the said pups since they are technically the original owners.


It is for the best if one knows where to make the purchase for the Havanese puppies for sale. If the person wants to buy the right one, then make sure to seek out the best casual breeder in town. The person will then have to decide on what kind of dog will be purchased at the end of the selection process.


Read more about Tips In Buying Havanese Puppies For Sale From Casual Breeders visiting our website.


Thursday, September 12, 2013

Service Dogs | aschae"s Dogblog




Doctors Say Family Dog Saved Lost Toddler, MO May 15, 2009





Source: KSPR.com, May 10, 2009


A Missouri toddler, who wandered away from his home last week, has been released from the hospital, just in time for Mother’s Day. Three-year old Joshua Childers was all smiles this weekend as he left the hospital in Crystal City. Doctors say he had hypothermia, scratches and bug bites from his “hike” in the Mark Twain National Forest. They now think the 120-pound family dog helped keep the boy safe and warm.


“One of our initial concerns was how could a 35-pound child could stay alive in forty degree weather in the rain for two nights and three days,” said Steven Crawford, Childer’s doctor. “That may be the answer, and he was telling about being with the dog at night.”


The family dog is a Great Pyrenees, and doctors say the fluffy dog kept Joshua alive through his 52-hour ordeal.




 












Oregon airport uses dog to chase birds off runway


Filed under: Recent News,Service Dogs — aschae @ 1:59 pm
Tags: , , ,



Source: VictoriaAdvocate.com, May 9, 2009


NORTH BEND, Ore. (AP) — A small airport on the Oregon coast is taking care of its bird problems with a border collie named Filly.


Southwest Oregon Regional Airport sends the dog after the pesky Canada geese that can pose a hazard to aviation.


“She’s chased flocks of geese into the water,” said Bob Hood, the airport’s wildlife manager. “She’s really good at her job and she really likes her job.”


Filly is the third dog — officially called wildlife management canine — that Hood has trained to work at the airport.


Hood and the operations crew had used propane cannons, cracker shells, whistles and horns as scare tactics to shoo away intruders before a commercial flight struck some geese.


“There was damage to the nose of the aircraft. They smashed into the radar dome,” Hood said. “I remember seeing a goose was inside the dome.”


Nobody was hurt, but Hood said it prompted the airport executive director to ask him to look into the U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife management program.


Hood started training with the American Society of Canine Trainers in 1994 and by 1997 had become a certified trainer.


Since then he has trained dogs for the North Bend Police Department and Coos County Search&Rescue, as well as for law enforcement agencies in Florence and in Jackson County.


The Federal Aviation Administration requires most airports to have a wildlife management program in place to be certified for commercial passenger traffic.


Once a year, Hood attends a training seminar given by the USDA, U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife or the FAA. He meets people from all over the country with different types of animals they’re dealing with.


“I met a guy in Florida where there were alligator strikes,” Hood said.


The FAA and USDA have reported that from 1990 to 2003, there have been more than 50,000 aircraft damaged by wildlife strikes, with 124 people injured and eight killed.


Since the airport joined the wildlife management program, the number of wildlife strikes in North Bend dropped from several annually to one or two a year, Hood said.


“The birds are so dangerous to airplanes, you have to do something,” he said.




 












Four new pet heroes honored in Canada May 8, 2009


Filed under: Events,Heros,Search & Rescue,Service Dogs — aschae @ 1:58 pm
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Source: UPI.com, May 4, 2009


TORONTO, May 4 (UPI) — Three dogs and a cat were honored as human-lifesaving heroes at the Purina Animal Hall of Fame in Toronto Monday.


The inductees included a young Bijon Frise dog named Sophie from Olds, Alberta, Sophie awoke her owner and alerted her that the woman’s daughter had slipped into a diabetic coma in her bedroom.


The second dog inducted was an 8-year-old Chow Chow named Jarod from Genelle, British Columbia. Jarod distracted a charging black bear and allowed its owner and another dog to flee to safety before escaping from the bear.


The only cat inducted was a 21-pound male domestic shorthair named Nemo, which made persistent efforts to awaken a Toronto woman and alert her that her husband had stopped breathing beside her in bed. The man survived.


Purina also honored Ace, a Dutch-Shepherd mix adopted by a police officer in Hamilton, Ontario, who trained him as a search and rescue service dog. In December, Ace located a woman missing for three days during a major snowstorm. She was buried in snow, but recovered.


Since the inception of the Hall of Fame in 1968, 117 dogs, 24 cats and a horse have been named as heroes for their life-saving deeds, Purina said in a release.




 












Dog program helps kids to read, AZ April 29, 2009


Filed under: Children & Dogs,Heros,Recent News,Service Dogs — aschae @ 3:59 pm



Source: ArizonaRepublic.com, April 26, 2009


Dogs may be man’s best friend, but now thanks to a unique reading program in Flagstaff, dogs are also a student’s best friend. Paws to Read lets students practice reading aloud by reading to a therapy dog. The goal of the program is to promote literacy and the love of reading to children.


Often children have difficulties when reading aloud. Since the dogs listen and don’t tease or judge the child, confidence levels increase. Paws to Read creates a positive, non-threatening, fun environment for children in both classrooms and public-library settings.


“When I read, I stutter a little bit, and when I read to the dog, it didn’t make fun of me,” student Beatriz Flores said.


Paws to Read pairs Delta Society-registered therapy dogs and their handlers with young readers. Warm brown eyes and doggy grins make all the difference in children’s reading experiences.


“It has been observed, over and over again, that children’s reading abilities improve as they gain confidence reading to dogs,” said Pat Policastro, program coordinator.


Flagstaff Medical Center is the lead agency for the program. It provides the pet therapy teams, program expertise and coordination, and continued financial support. Flagstaff Unified School District provides the space and child participants. Currently, there are Paws to Read teams in Flagstaff public schools, local charter schools and summer-reading programs at the public libraries.


The program works through a coordinated effort between the school, classroom teacher and Paws to Read. Dogs are introduced in a classroom after behavioral expectations have been discussed with the students and the teacher. Sessions last 15 to 30 minutes a week.


An additional benefit is the greater self-esteem that students gain by improving their reading skills. Teachers reported an increase in students volunteering to read aloud in class and an increase in students checking books out of the library.


“We’ve been impressed with the results of Paws to Read,” Flagstaff Superintendent Kevin Brown said. “It’s another way of bringing volunteers into our schools to directly benefit our students.”




 












S.B. Therapy Dog Survives Fighting Ring, but Blood Sport Remains Active, CA March 26, 2009





Source: Santa Barbara Independant, March 25, 2009, by Cathy Murillo


The story of Daisy Mae the pit bull is like that of any other survivor — she suffered pain, got back on her feet, and is now living a sweeter, more meaningful life because of her experience.


Daisy Mae, formerly part of a dogfighting operation, is now a therapy dog in Santa Barbara making weekly rounds at Cottage Hospital’s pediatric ward and Villa Riviera retirement home. Gentle and affectionate, the three-year-old cuddles with the elderly and frail, and even allows small children to hold her tight when they are undergoing painful medical procedures.


Her miracle of rehabilitation mirrors that of the dogs rescued from the Michael Vick fight farm, where only one dog had to be euthanized for being vicious. Of the remaining 47 Vick canines, most have been placed in homes, many with children, other dogs, and cats.


While Daisy Mae and the rehabilitated Vick dogs are changing hearts and minds about the American pit bull terrier, dogfighting continues to be a dark and bloody reality in the United States. According to the national Humane Society, 99.9 percent of fighting dogs are pit bulls. And unlike the Vick case where the football player paid rehab costs, most dogs rescued from fight rings are put down because there are no resources to rescue, evaluate, retrain, and relocate the animals.


A Sack of Potatoes


Daisy Mae’s life these days is a stark contrast to her puppyhood. Found on the streets of Oakland, California, in 2006, she was believed to have served as a “bait” dog in a pit bull fighting operation. Dogs without fighting instincts are used to bring out dominance in other dogs.



Daisy Mae with her owner Alison Hansen.

Daisy Mae with her owner Alison Hansen.



The brown and white dog was starved and emaciated at 37 pounds. Not much else is known about Daisy Mae, according to her owner Alison Hansen, 32, a Santa Barbara wedding planning professional. Hansen found her in a shelter affiliated with the BAD RAP organization, or Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls (badrap.org). The dog was extremely withdrawn and frightened, cowering against the wall.


“Something came over me. I vowed, ‘She can never have a bad day again,’” said Hansen, who admits to originally wanting an athletic dog that she could exercise with. “I had wanted a [Labrador] experience, but what I got was a little sack of potatoes.”


Daisy Mae’s rehabilitation was intense but amazingly quick. She hadn’t been taken for walks or exposed to the world outside of her pen, apparently. Whenever facing a new experience — a flight of stairs, the sound of a car horn, bicycles, cats — she would freeze up, or lie flat on the ground, or pee on herself.


Hansen patiently worked with the dog, who eagerly took to training as she wanted to please her new mistress. Within four months, Daisy Mae had mastered all the obedience commands (sit, stay, down), earned a Canine Good Citizen certificate from the American Kennel Club, and even passed the rigorous testing developed by Therapy Dogs International to become a working volunteer canine.



On one of her visits to Cottage Hospital, Daisy Mae hangs out with Wyatt Talor.

On one of her visits to Cottage Hospital, Daisy Mae hangs out with Wyatt Talor.



Two of the Vick dogs are therapy dogs now, too. One is Hector, who’s getting national attention for his accomplishment, as he’s covered with ugly scars from fighting. Hansen believes Hector and Daisy Mae should stand as proof that bad owners are the problem, not bad dogs. So moved by her dog’s transformation, Hansen has joined the campaign against breed-specific legislation. It’s not fair for cities, counties, or states to outlaw all pit bulls, she said.


“These laws are punishing the wrong end of the leash,” Hansen said, adding that many pit bull owners don’t know they shouldn’t drive through Denver, Colorado, with their pet. The breed, even under the care of nonresident travelers, is subject to being euthanized. Closer to home, Hansen has to deal with random breed prejudice. She tells the story of bringing Daisy Mae to a kickball game. Although the dog was dressed in a silly Pocahontas dog-costume, a frightened woman with a small dog yelled at her, “Keep your fucking dog away from my dog.”


Pit Bull Watch


Humane Society officials are wary of all the publicity generated by the Michael Vick pit bull matter. Yes, many of the dogs were turned around to live happy, normal lives, but the effort cost a lot of money. Most pit bulls taken from a fighting situation end up getting the needle.


“You don’t hear so much about the abused and neglected dogs that get euthanized,” said Adam Goldfarb, a pit bull expert with the Humane Society of the United States. “Not all dogs are able to recover from traumatic circumstances.”


Dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states, and Goldfarb’s organization is active in increasing the penalties for spectators at fighting events and for ownership of fighting dogs. The Humane Society offers a $ 5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction of a dogfighter. Most busts come from anonymous tips because the industry operates underground.



Joe Yuncker and Daisy Mae.

Joe Yuncker and Daisy Mae.



Some events are huge and charge admission. Large amounts of money are being wagered, said Goldfarb. Additionally, other illicit activities — drug use, weapons exchange — are part of the scenario.


Goldfarb is not convinced that a true fighting dog can be rehabilitated. He described a dangerous combination — a dog that wants to kill, and also exhibits the “gameness” that unscrupulous breeders admire. Gameness is a trait by which a dog will continue fighting even though she is injured and exhausted. “You can’t place a dog like that in a community.”


On the bright side, those traits are completely artificial. It’s not beneficial to the species (or the pack) to have individuals trying to kill each other. So without the influence of bloodthirsty human breeders, those traits disappear. The average pet pit bull, or shelter pit bull, doesn’t have deadly instincts.


No one knows that better than Jan Glick, head of Santa Barbara County’s Animal Services department. Her three shelters (sbcphd.org/as) are full of pit bulls, and she is quick to point out that shelter dogs are screened for aggression against cats or other dogs, extreme prey drive (going after small wildlife), and for compatibility with small children.


Pit bulls were bred to be aggressive against other dogs, not people, she said. Still, the public has a fear of the breed, and it’s a stigma that is unwarranted in many cases. Glick also reports that there have been no dogfighting busts in Santa Barbara County, though she believes some fighting activity does takes place. (There are more incidents of cockfighting; sheriff’s authorities raided an 800-chicken ranch two weeks ago.)


Glick was glad to hear about Daisy Mae’s success. “Every dog is an individual and needs to be evaluated that way,” she said. “I encourage people not to think in a breed-specific way.”




 












Mean dogs stand guard at Idaho prison March 25, 2009





Source: Associated Press, March 25, 2009


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Nobody has broken out of the Idaho State Correctional Institution in more than 20 years. Prison officials like to think a hard-bitten corps of sentries with names like Cookie, Bongo and Chi Chi has had something to do with that.


The institution is the only state prison in the U.S. to use snarling, snapping sentry dogs to patrol its perimeter.


In a program begun in 1986, 24 mean dogs – mostly German shepherds, rottweilers and Belgian malinois, with a few boxers and pit bulls – roam the space between the inner and outer chain-link fences 24 hours a day, ferociously defending their territory.


Get too close to the fence and they will bare their teeth, bark and lunge. Set foot in their space and they will attack.


The animals themselves are former death row inmates – dogs that were deemed too dangerous to be pets and would have been destroyed at the local pound if they had not been given a reprieve and assigned to prison duty.


“We’re basically giving them a second chance at a good, healthy life,” said Corrections Officer Michael Amos, who heads the sentry dog program. “Those same instincts that make them a bad pet make them good sentries.”


Prison officials say the canines save on manpower and are more reliable during power outages than electrical security systems and more effective in the fog and the dark than the humans posted in the lookout towers. They also seem to have a powerful deterrent effect.


No one has escaped from the 1,500-inmate medium-security prison since the dogs were brought in. No one has even tried to get past the fences since the early 1990s.


“The average offender has no problem engaging in a fight with a correctional officer – they’re used to fighting with humans. But they don’t want to mess with a 100-pound rottweiler who has an attitude and who wants to bite the snot out of them for climbing that fence,” said James Closson, a dog trainer in Boise who arranged the donation of some overaggressive dogs to the prison when the sentry program was new.


Over the years, the dogs have bitten handlers, badly mauling a staff member who in the late 1990s entered the kennel without first making sure all the animals were caged. But no inmates locked up at the prison have been bitten, authorities said.


Dogs were once widely used as sentries in the U.S., particularly after World War II, when canines that had been trained by the military were pressed into civilian service. The practice fell out of favor during the civil rights era as police dogs became associated with racist and repressive law enforcement, said Chris Byrne, owner of Stonehill Kennel and Unlimited Dogs, which provides police dogs to the New York Police Department.


Many prisons continue to use dogs for tracking escaped inmates or sniffing out drugs or other contraband, but not as sentries.


“Most facilities have gone to electronic motion detectors or electrical fencing,” said Jay Christensen, deputy warden of security at the Idaho prison. “But technology can be circumvented. We had a guy at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution get through a motion detector system a few years back” by moving so slowly that the sensors didn’t pick him up.


“The dogs are much more dependable and the cost is really low,” he said.


In the early 1990s, three inmates at ISCI tried to escape through the one portion of the fence that wasn’t guarded by dogs at the time, Christensen said. The guards in the towers could not see them in the dark, but a dog along a nearby section of the fence sounded the alarm by barking.


The ruckus alerted the nearest tower guard, who fired a shot, hitting one of the convicts, Christensen said. The two others were so frightened by the shot that they gave up, and all three were recaptured, he said.


Officials promptly reconfigured the fence so that there were no sections without dogs, he said.


Angus Love, executive director of the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project, an inmate advocacy group, said he knows of no complaints about the use of prison sentry dogs.


The dogs work two days on and one day off. On their days off, they are returned to their kennel, where their handlers groom them, play ball and tug-of-war with them, or, in the summer, let them splash in a plastic kiddie pool. The handlers have to be alert at all times because of the danger of getting bitten.


Adam Goldfarb, a spokesman for the Humane Society of the United States, said that the Idaho prison appeared to be handling the dogs well, but that he had mixed feelings about the program.


“We love the thoughts behind it, of taking dogs who would otherwise be euthanized and finding a way to work with them and give them a kind of purpose to their life,” Goldfarb said. “But we’d have concerns of the dogs being harmed in some way, if an inmate could throw or poke something through the fence that could harm the dogs. And I’m not sure what kind of life that is for a dog. When people have dogs in their home, we would certainly discourage them from leaving the dog on a chain or in a pen for most of their life.”


The program, with 36 dogs in all, costs less than $ 100,000 a year, including food and veterinary care, Christensen said. He worries that one day, officials will come up with the $ 300,000 or more he estimated it would cost to replace the animals with electric fences or motion detectors.


“Is this K-9 program going to survive for ever and ever? Probably not,” he said. “But I tell you, I do not want to be the deputy warden of security who takes these dogs off the perimeter. I consider that a risk to the public.”


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Search Dog Foundation gets $ 1 million, CA January 27, 2009





Source: Ventura County Star, By Gareth W. Dodd, Correspondent, Monday, January 26, 2009


The Ojai-based National Disaster Search Dog Foundation has received a $ 1 million grant from the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation to help create a national training center on 125 acres of land in Santa Paula.


The grant comes on the heels of a $ 1.6 million award from the Frank McGrath Jr. family, which was used to make a down payment on the ranch site in Santa Paula. During the next three years, the Search Dog Foundation hopes to raise $ 14 million more to take ownership of the land, build a training center and establish an endowment fund for its maintenance.


The foundation pairs dogs — usually Labradors, golden retrievers or border collies found in animal shelters — with firefighters to create skilled search teams. The dogs are trained to find victims during natural or man-made disasters.


The group’s “proven ability to deliver highly trained teams at no cost to fire departments is especially important as emergency service budgets are cut and resources are strained to their limit,” Lauren Dachs, the Bechtel foundation president, wrote in a statement. “The economic crisis in our country challenges grant makers to fund projects which will have an important, lasting impact on society — and the creation of a national training center will help achieve that goal.”


Capt. Matt Garrett of the Ventura County Fire Department said establishing a training center in Santa Paula would save him time and money. He travels once a month to the group’s current training center in Gilroy, where he puts Gabby, a 2-year-old black Labrador, through her paces for two days.


The team also trains twice a week at several facilities in Southern California, said Garrett, who bears the expense of training, housing and feeding Gabby.


“It’s amazing what these dogs will do with positive reinforcement,” said Garrett. “She’s a working dog; she has a job. She’s not a pet that lounges around the house.”


The dogs are trained to find a scent and locate a victim under piles of rubble, no matter how long it takes.


“Their job is to make sure no one is left behind,” said Garrett.


“They find a scent, trace it to its source and get rewarded with love and play. Their payday is play day. We’ve been together since August, and she’s progressing well.”


Once used primarily for wilderness or avalanche searches, the dogs became more popular following their use to sniff out victims of the 1996 Oklahoma City bombing. The need took on a new urgency after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.


The search teams have been deployed to Hurricane Katrina, La Conchita mudslide and the Chatsworth Metrolink train crash last year, said Janet Reineck, the group’s development director.


Reineck said the United States needs more than 400 canine-firefighter search teams to handle all the disasters. Currently it has about 200, and teams are retiring every year.


The group has trained 85 search teams since its founding in 1996, including 61 that are currently active. It receives no government funding, relying on support from individuals, private foundations and companies, officials said.




 












Rescue dog will sniff out cancer, England January 4, 2009


Filed under: Health,Heros,Recent News,Service Dogs — aschae @ 12:28 pm
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Source: BBC News, Jan 4, 2009


A rescue dog from Oxfordshire is being trained by a medical charity to sniff out cancer.


Casper sniffing a specimen
Casper is trained to recognize the scent of cancer cells in urine


Spaniel puppy Casper had been living in the Blue Cross animal centre in Burford for months but was continually passed over because of his boundless energy.


This made him perfect for scientists looking for dogs for their project.


Now Casper is being taught to recognise the scent of cancer from urine samples. It is hoped this will lead to earlier diagnosis and save more lives.


Claire Guest chief executive of Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs said: “Chances are lower for dogs like Casper to find a home as he has a very high drive and is incredibly energetic and bouncy.


“It can make them disruptive in the home but it makes Casper perfect for us.”









It’s like trying to recognise a certain ingredient in a soup



Claire Guest, Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs



Dogs have already been known to be able to smell cancer cells.


A north Oxfordshire man credited his pet Rottweiller with sniffing out his skin cancer in November last year. But the the scenting skills of cancer dogs are even more delicate.


The dogs are trained to recognise cancer cells in urine samples but the researchers say the training regime is very complicated.


Ms Guest said “It’s like trying to recognise a certain ingredient in a soup. There are lots and lots of soups, some have them have it, some of them don’t.”


It is estimated that Casper will be a working cancer dog within four months.






Beamish the Rottweiler
Beamish the Rottweiler was credited with sniffing out his owners skin cancer



The ultimate aim of the project is to introduce a medical test where people can go into a doctor and get a full medical from a urine test and a breath test.


The Cancer Dogs charity said there is already an electronic nose device that aims to identify cancer from urine samples but they are way behind the dogs “simply because their sense of smell is so advanced” and they are making “great leaps all the time”, Ms Guest said.


Researchers said they want to see how the dogs work and upgrade their technology accordingly so people can have a simple non-invasive test to give them the earliest possible warning if they have cancer.


Ms Guest added: “We actually want to reduce some fear of cancer diagnosis -you hear so many people say – ‘if I had it I wouldn’t want to know’, because they think their chance of survival is low but now with great advances in medication early diagnosis is the key to survival and cancer doesn’t have to turn into a terrible tragedy.


“It’s the people who don’t know they’ve got it who don’t stand a chance – that’s the tragedy.”




 












Diabetic says special dog has been a lifesaver November 23, 2008


Filed under: Heros,Service Dogs — aschae @ 8:54 am
Tags: , ,



Source: mercury News, by Lunda Goldston, Nov 21, 2008



Devin Grayson no longer has to wonder alone when her blood sugar gets low. Her service dog, Cody, looks out for that.


Devin had struggled with diabetes for more than 20 years and was starting to live a pretty isolated life when she heard about Dogs for Diabetics in Concord, a non-profit organization that provides dogs at no cost to insulin-dependent diabetics in California.


Cody is so good at his job “he’s saved my life at least three times a month and saves me from being really ill about three times a week,” said Devin, who lives in San Leandro and takes Cody to work with her in San Francisco.


With her type of diabetes, Devin had “started to lose the ability to sense anything was wrong. You start to get confused, and it’s an acute condition that can result in a coma in 20 minutes.”


No more. Cody is on the job.


Cody and other D4D dogs (Dogs for Diabetics) are trained to respond to the smell of the chemicals released by the body at the onset of hypoglycemia. Researchers are still trying to determine exactly what the canines notice when a person experiences a low blood sugar.


People who have insulin-dependent diabetes use a glucose scan to check their blood sugar, “but you’re not checking every single minute or every hour, and you have to go to bed at some point,” Devin said.


Cody sleeps beside her bed. If something starts to go wrong, the 3-year-old dog jumps up on Devin’s bed and will try to make eye contact with her. If he can’t get her attention, he will put his nose on her hand — it’s called “a bump” — and then nudge the hand for her to “open it up and give him the treat.”The training is reward-based, and Cody loves getting those treats. If the situation calls for it and Devin gets really ill, Cody is trained to go get another person and bring them back to her.


“I call it the Lassie effect,” Devin said. “He’ll usually go find my boyfriend or my boss and literally lead them back to me.”


The golden retriever has given Devin the confidence to go anywhere she wants, especially since Cody, as a service dog, gets to go everywhere with her “wearing his cute little vest.”


When she takes off Cody’s vest, “he’s a young active golden retriever,” she said. He loves to play with Devin and catch a ball, but he’s never really off duty.


For more information about Dogs for Diabetics, go to www.dogs4diabetics.com. The private, nonprofit organization relies on donations and grants to survive. It has placed 70 dogs in the past four years and has 49 more in training.


Cody could be in line for another honor: official Milk-Bone spokesdog. From thousands of entries, Cody and Devin are among the 100 finalists. The title will come with a $ 100,000 contract to serve as spokesdog for a year, and the dog’s photo will be featured on a Milk-Bone box.


Another finalist is Warren Skrifvars of Hayward and his German shorthair, Stonewall, named after Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson because Warren is a Civil War buff.


“My wife entered us in the contest and didn’t tell us about it,” said Warren, who is a firefighter with Cal Fire. “Then I get this big ‘official’ envelope in the mail.”


Warren’s wife, Laurie, had wanted a golden retriever but has taken to the 75-pound Stonewall, who turned 4 in October.


Warren said he woke up early one morning and “I heard this running around in my living room. I open up the door and my wife is chasing the dog, saying ‘I’m going to get you.’ “


Laurie and Stonewall are getting along quite well, although Warren knows his hunting buddies are going to crack up over the chasing story.


“He’s a great dog,” Warren said. “My wife knows everyone in the neighborhood because of that guy.”


Good luck to Devin, Cody, Warren and Stonewall. The winner will be announced in January.




 












Revolutionizing Dog Guide Training With Technology November 11, 2008


Filed under: Recent News,Service Dogs — aschae @ 2:18 pm
Tags: , , , , ,




Source: PRNewsWire, Nov 10.



Leader Dogs for the Blind is the first dog guide school in the United States to permanently integrate a talking GPS navigational tool into dog guide classes for people who are blind and visually impaired. HumanWare, makers of the GPS Trekker Breeze, has partnered with Leader Dogs for the Blind to launch this completely unprecedented, state-of-the-art approach to training in time for a class of 24 dog guide students in November 2008.




“By including a talking navigational device in training, Leader Dogs for the Blind is revolutionizing the art of dog guide training,” said Greg Grabowski, president and CEO of Leader Dogs for the Blind.


“One of the overriding themes we hear from our students is the anxiety and apprehension of travel in a new environment. For many, the first time using a dog guide combined with travel in a new city creates a situation that makes learning difficult and stressful. We believe we can really enhance the way we provide services by placing a GPS device in every student’s hand while in our training program,” continued Grabowski.


Leader Dogs for the Blind has partnered with HumanWare to determine the very best strategy for integrating the GPS technology into the dog guide curriculum. The students will be trained in the use of the device during their 24-day stay at Leader Dogs for the Blind. The Trekker Breeze is an audible device that will give step-by step directions for a programmed route and notify the user of upcoming streets and landmarks, among other functions.


“In August, I returned to Leader Dogs for the Blind to receive my third Leader Dog, ‘Theo’. I was given the Trekker Breeze to use during my training on how to work with Theo. I found that I was much less worried about getting lost and could pay more attention to what I was learning. I remember the last time I came to the school I spent a lot of my time trying to memorize roads and really focusing on how I will get to places. Using the Breeze in class made me a lot more relaxed and I really enjoyed my experience,” said Craig Hall, of Flint, Michigan.


After the students complete the 24-day training at Leader Dogs for the Blind, 14 of the American students will return home with the Trekker Breeze. These students have been selected to participate in an ongoing study to determine the long-term usability and assess the functionality of the GPS device in their home environment.


“We are pleased to partner with Leader Dogs for the Blind in this initiative that will bring GPS technology benefits to an even wider portion of the visually impaired population. Combining the renowned expertise of Leader Dogs for the Blind and the Trekker Breeze will significantly enhance the traveling experience of the students. This program is a new chapter of this success story,” said Gilles Pepin, CEO of HumanWare.


People from all over the world come to Leader Dogs for the Blind to enhance their ease of travel and independence. Leader Dogs have been placed, completely free of charge, in every state except Hawaii and more than 30 countries. The 24 students in the upcoming November class are from: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia, Nevada, Illinois, Brazil, Guatemala and Mexico.


Leader Dogs for the Blind is known throughout the world for its forward thinking and innovation in the dog guide field. In fact, Leader Dogs for the Blind is the only dog guide school in North America to hold a dedicated program to train dog guides for people who are deaf and blind. Leader Dogs for the Blind is also the only dog guide school to offer an entire continuum of learning for people who are blind and visually impaired, including: classes on learning to travel safely with a white cane, classes on how to use a GPS talking navigational tool, and classes on using a computer with a screen reader.


“We are sure our newest initiative will dramatically enhance the ease and pleasure of travel for people who are blind and visually impaired. Once we are able to secure funding, we plan to offer every student who comes to our school to receive a Leader Dog a free GPS unit to complete their mobility package,” said Grabowski.


If you are interested in learning more about classes offered at Leader Dogs for the Blind or if you would like to donate, call (888) 777-5332 or visit www.leaderdog.org.



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