Learning Every Day-A bunch of ZZZZZZ’s

March 14, 2018March 14, 2018Leave a comment

Today was the first time I went back to Stanley Correctional Institution since Lyric and Liam left. They were going to get an opportunity to see some of the footage that was shown at the Fetching Ball Gala for Can Do Canines and I was excited to be able to say hi again to the handlers in the program. We also had the added bonus of bringing 4 puppies from the “F” litter (who are Sugar’s grand puppies-their Mom Clover is from Sugar’s first litter ) to them to begin their journey in the program!

Although it was the 4th time I had seen the footage, it still grabbed my heartstrings and brought me to tears. There is something about watching the process of others loving and letting go that gets me every time. And it’s not because of the sadness of saying goodbye, but rather the magnitude of people giving of themselves in order to get a dog to its final destiny. I’ve experienced the part where you say goodbye myself, and I’m not one to say it’s easy, but I’m so thankful that people are able to see themselves through that momentary sadness for the joy that their dedication brings to others-it’s a magical experience to see dogs with their clients and know that volunteers make that happen!

So I was thrilled when I returned today and was equally as excited to see the program handlers, watch their dogs and the progress that’s being made, and I got the opportunity to ask them how they are teaching these puppies such amazing things! I watched the puppies attention to their handler, the obvious bond they have formed even at this young age, and I wished my training skills were remotely as good as theirs! These dogs were on waits/stays all around the room and when their handler called them, they came and found them-and almost all of the other dogs still held their position. I felt honored to be able to watch them train, and I realized that if you stay honest you will realize that you can constantly learn from others throughout your day!

One of my favorite comments I heard while they were training was when I heard a handler talking to his dog and saying “Wait-think about what you’re doing. It’s all about choices.” and when the dog did what was expected, the handler responded “good choice”. I marveled at how that simple interaction could sum up many of life’s moments in a nutshell!

As I looked around the room, I was so happy to have the opportunity to see Sugar’s previous litter, the Z litter-as well as our other Breeding Foster in our home Krackle’s puppies-the X litter! I wanted to hear about how they were all doing, and I loved being able to answer the questions from the inmate handlers about Sugar and Krackle’s personalities, whether the puppies looked more like the moms or the dads, and I loved hearing how happy they were with their pups in training!

This journey continues to amaze me at every turn, and today I appreciated the opportunity to try to comprehend a few of my takeaways from the day: the difficulties of letting go through the eyes of another, the gift of acceptance of ourselves and others, the responsibility to yourself to grow as a human and strive for something greater, gratitude for others to recognize the sacrifices that are made…..and to make sure I always try to keep an open mind and not take another’s journey for granted.

It was obvious; the puppies have grown-but all of us who are involved in this journey have grown equally as much along the way, and for that, I will always be thankful!

Zip as a baby with Sugar

Zip

Zoom

Zag

Zing

The day they came back from Duluth Correctional to go into great start homes

Zing showing how to “be handsome”!

Beyond the Walls of Stanley-Liam and Lyric Continue Their Journey!

November 2, 2017November 3, 20173 Comments

The program dogs from 2017 proudly displayed by the Warden’s office!

Today seemed like a day that I was excited for and dreading all at the same time. I was excited to see Lyric and Liam finish one leg of their journey and have the opportunity to go into their long-term foster homes because that meant they were one step closer to the day they would graduate. But, I was also dreading this day because I know what it feels like on the day that you are turning in your puppy in training; and even though you know that this is all part of the process and so worthwhile for the final objective or raising assistance dogs, it’s a difficult day none-the-less. Today wouldn’t be hard for me other than the fact that I would be watching others saying goodbye to their dogs in training, and as a volunteer who has puppy raised, I could commiserate with their feelings all too well.

I saw it as soon as we got into the correctional facility-the handlers were out playing with their dogs and having fun-but the look on their faces told me there was more than just playing going on. They were processing the day ahead of them, and they were quieter and less conversational which I could totally understand. Petting the dogs by the handlers was more frequent, the kibble rewards were flowing freely, and other inmates that aren’t part of the program could see and feel the change in the room as well I’m sure.

Changes were already happening; the inmates had packed up the items for the dogs and some if not all of them that were switching cellmates had rearranged their items and moved in with their new roommates. Change happens quickly here, and I wondered if that was a piece of self-preservation learned over the years or simply a way to move on and start fresh again.

Before we knew it, filming was coming to an end and it was time for the handlers to say goodbye to Lyric and Liam. I watched from a distance, mainly because I knew if I got any closer I wouldn’t be able to contain my emotions which were hanging by a string the way it was anyway. I didn’t want to make the day anything more difficult for the handlers than what they had to already do. The snuggles with their pups in training were heartwarming and sincere and it was clear what these dogs had done for their handlers. They had given them the gifts of patience, confidence, a learned discipline in dog training, trust and teamwork and that just was the tip of the iceberg. One inmate told me that this was the best thing he has ever done with his life and I was amazed to hear this verbal acknowledgment. It was during those moments I realized the gravity of one dog and a person who is incarcerated. The research shows that dog programs in facilities like these reduce recidivism and create success in the handlers-and I’m confident that these 4 men will prove those statistics right. Success in dog training is easily transferred over into many aspects of life because you need the same skills in life as you do training a dog.

It’s more than just a dog. And turning them over for the next part of their journey is a difficult one. As a whelping home, we worry about the next step for the puppies that we have loved for their very first weeks; as a great-start home we worry about the next step in their journey for the pups we have loved from the time they were 10 weeks old; as an inmate handler/puppy raiser you worry that the foster home for the pup you have loved many months or more won’t be able to give the puppy the same amount of time and attention that you have provided every single day since they walked through your doors and into your heart; and as a final foster home we worry whether we will be able to give them all of the skills they will need to have in order to realize the vision of the organization to give freedom and independence to those that are waiting for it. It’s not easy! All of this involves stress and whether we can do the job we volunteered to do. There are moments of doubt and lack of confidence-did we do ENOUGH???? What does ENOUGH look like?

And then I tried to figure out what I could do to share with the handlers a little bit of Lyric and Liam after they left so staff and handlers could see that everything was well. I figured the best way to do this is to share the comments from other fellow volunteers-and these are for all of the inmate handlers that work with dogs from Can Do Canines!

And although this story is about the Life of Sugar and her L puppies, I don’t forget for one moment that Liam and Lyric weren’t the only dogs that left the program yesterday to start the next step and that next week more dogs will be leaving there. The feelings I talk about here apply to all of the handlers in the program and my appreciation and gratitude is for everyone who makes that program successful-from Can Do Canines, the Staff at Stanley and the inmate handlers. It couldn’t happen without all of them!

Throughout this post is a glimpse of Lyric and Liam when they arrived as well as their final day with their handlers…….

Puppy kisses Liam Puppy love too Puppy Love with Lyric

And the comments from other volunteers in the program show the effect of this program as well:

“Could you tell them that I understand how much they will miss him and I will take good care of him?”

“All of us fellow puppy raisers and fosters know just how they feel….and I hope they know that these pups are going to touch more lives along their journey to their forever client. I’ve post-prison fostered several dogs and each of them has enriched my family’s life. I can always tell they’ve been well loved and cared for, because each dog has been nothing short of amazing, each in their own way.”

” It is never easy to say goodbye! Please be sure the handlers know how much they are appreciated. Their efforts never go unnoticed and we are grateful to have them as part of our big “team.” These dogs are so special because they change clients’ lives, but they always change the handlers’ as well. Wishing Lyric & Liam the best of luck as they begin their next chapter.”

“What a blessing these dogs are for so many people along the way!”

So, if there was any doubt that volunteers are rooting for the success of the Prison Programs or the success of the dogs that pass through them, you can see that volunteers all hope for a graduation at the end of the rainbow!!!

Then and Now…….Lyric as a puppy coming to the PAWS Program

Vernone and Lyric at the appreciation banquet

After 8 months here, Lyric’s all grown up!

My biggest disappointment of the day was that I didn’t get the opportunity to go back in and say goodbye to these volunteer handlers due to the filming schedule, to shake their hands, congratulate them on a great job and wish them well….and I just couldn’t write a blog today without taking an opportunity to do that.

An Open Letter to the Inmate Handlers of Stanley

Thank you. You have been willing to open yourselves up to allow me to follow your journey with Lyric and Liam. You endured the endless questions, the changes, and interruptions in your daily life so filming could take place, and you still managed to keep training the dogs to the highest level to increase their success once they left you and your PAWS program.

You have given them a piece of your heart, and that is the best thing these dogs will use to make you proud. You have learned to trust in them, and they, in turn, have learned to trust you. It may not have always been easy, but you didn’t give up on them or yourselves. That is what maybe impressed me the most because as a puppy raiser previously I had to struggle through the training challenges and had to figure out what I could do to stay positive, continue training and wait for the moment when the dog finally clicks and understands what you are asking them to do. Sometimes it would have been easier to give up – but with determination comes success!!!

I am so appreciative that you allowed me into your lives to get just a glimpse of life at Stanley within the PAWS program. You may have been learning many new things, but I was learning along the way as well. The lessons I’ve learned are dramatic and for me, they are life changing. I know being a part of a film project is daunting and fun all at the same time. But filming wouldn’t have been successful if you hadn’t shared your experiences, challenges, and your heart.

On Saturday, the first two dogs from the Stanley program(Harvey and Rio) graduated with their clients. I can only imagine how proud you feel that you had a piece in that story of their success!I can’t wait for the day where you can see Lyric and Liam graduate! I would love to see the grins on your faces when you see once again that through this program you are changing lives!!! And my grin will mirror yours-because I know the hard-fought journey for these two beautiful pups required a commitment that many might find difficult to comprehend.

Congratulations to Ronald, DJ, Marc, and Vernon as well as all of the handlers working with dogs! Wishing you continued success in everything you do on your journey!!!!

Holly

Doing some tasks after arriving at the organization

Liam showing off some of his tricks in the Can Do Canines Training room!

The tail wag while sitting up was impressive!

Waiting for his next command…..with his beautiful eyes focused on the treat!

Lyric did a beautiful park while waiting for the filming to begin!

Day 336-A Banquet to celebrate SUCCESS!

October 19, 2017October 19, 20171 Comment

“Success is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.”

Lyric enjoying some snuggles with his handler!

Last night I got the wonderful experience to attend a banquet at Stanley Correctional Institution for the PAWS program with the inmate handlers and sitters. And while I make the long drive to the facility, I often think about what I can learn during my opportunity. What is it about the prison programs that makes them special? Why should anyone care about the dog programs in prison? Are these programs valuable for anything other than just having a place to put dogs until final training? Each time I get the privilege of getting to see a program like this in action, I gain a newfound respect for the programs as a whole, for the Correctional Institutions that invest time and energy to make a program of this magnitude a success and for all of the individuals themselves that grab this opportunity and turn it into something very special that an outsider like me will probably never be able to grasp in totality.

I arrived and anxiously awaited the opportunity to get to the visiting room where the PAWS Appreciation Banquet was going to be held. (PAWS stands for Prisoners Assisting with Service Dogs) Once I entered, I saw a room full of handlers with their dogs and you could feel a true sense of community in the room. Other volunteers, staff, the Warden, program trainer….everyone was there visiting and truly enjoying the opportunity! The handlers were so kind and made sure I had time to visit with both Liam and Lyric and I had to tame my excitement about seeing all of these incredible dogs getting ready for the next step in their journey towards graduation as assistance dogs! I got the opportunity to talk with some of the handlers and I asked them how they were feeling about the upcoming “event” of sending their dogs to final training. We talked about how the moments would be difficult, but they would be laced with excitement for the “final moment” of seeing their hard work being realized as the dog they trained walks across the stage with their client someday in the future. The pride they felt was palpable; the excitement in their eyes was readable; the emotion in their hearts about this partner of theirs was understandable! More than once I had to distract myself so I didn’t tear up just thinking about it!

The fun of the evening was just beginning! We were able to have a wonderful dinner with the handlers, and just enjoy conversation about the everyday things! I was able to meet the other dogs in the program-the H’s, I’s, and J’s-Helga, Huey, Hickory, Ike, Iris, Jasper….and the list continues! I sat back and watched the handlers interacting and how completely comfortable they were with a dog at their sides. I absolutely loved seeing the fosters/volunteers from the program who take the dogs on weekends to add to their socialization skills and home life and it was fabulous to see the whole group just talking and connecting through the love of dogs! The differences disappear and the similarities blossom all because of these 4 legged wonders!

We were honored to be able to hear the story of a client and how a very special assistance dog has changed her life; and while I was listening to her story, I realized that this is maybe where the journey of an inmate handler and that of a Great Start home/Puppy Raiser differs the most. Outside of prison, the dogs we choose to work with are part of our everyday lives-and a very important one at that. We put amazing amounts of energy and time into training the dogs, but we have other endeavors and things that require large portions of our time. But for these handlers, oftentimes these dogs are the majority of their schedule from the moment they wake up until they go to bed. Certainly, they are also busy with daily activities and jobs, but these dogs become their constant companions and their confidant-someone they can share their hopes and fears with. In a way, these dogs start their “assistance” journey when they come to prison; they help these inmates find peace, teamwork, success, pride, trust, hope, and joy just to name a few.

paws appreciation banquet october 18 2017

What a wonderful opportunity to visit with the handlers and learn about their journey with their dogs! The handmade items I’m holding are incredible!

It was then time for the dog demonstrations-and what a wonderful opportunity it was!!! Watching these handlers take pride in their accomplishments was just as fun as seeing the dogs complete their tasks! They were proud of their work, but they were PROUD of their dog! They got up, introduced themselves and their dogs, and then it was so wonderful hearing them speak about some aspect of the dog program, what they were going to demonstrate, and how that applied in the assistance dog world! They talked about the importance of the tasks they were learning, free shaping and the dog’s personality in learning it! I just kept thinking “I want to have a training class with them so they can show me how they taught these dogs such incredible things!”

I know that there are sometimes struggles within prison programs in the area of teamwork; but when you think about the close proximity that these handlers have to live and the added stress of their situation I think they are doing wonderful! I watched the other handlers as one of their team was doing a demonstration and they couldn’t hide the fact that they were enjoying themselves and the success of their teammate!

They took a moment to thank their trainer, and it was very obvious how much they appreciate her! They made her a beautiful token of their appreciation, which promptly made me cry!

Towards the end of the evening, items were won through a drawing and all of the items were made by inmates. Their talent is amazing!

Yep, best friends is an understatement!

When the evening was over, I once again felt so lucky to be a part of this very special journey. I so enjoyed getting to talk with the handlers, seeing their accomplishments and witnessing their change along this incredible journey! They are not the same people they were when they started in this program, and THAT is why programs like this are priceless!

Just a couple of the comments from Liam and Lyrics handlers-I think “Thank you for the chance to show how Lyric changed my life” says it all. There is absolutely NO doubt that these dogs change lives well before they are placed with their clients.

Day 318-Training with an Inmate Handler-The Journey Continues!

September 23, 2017September 23, 20171 Comment

The unbelievably talented producer Mark with two of his stars for the documentary! Liam on the left and Lyric on the right.

And yet another incredible day to visit the Sugarbabies Lyric and Liam, interview the incredible handlers, watch all of the Stanley dogs interacting and playing, and appreciate their great training talent and the prison programs that help to make Can Do Canines dogs successful and life changers! “Inspiring” doesn’t even do justice to the day and I so appreciate each and every opportunity I get to learn more!

The training that the handlers are doing with all of the dogs (not just Lyric and Liam) is truly magical. As a volunteer myself, I watched them show me some of the training and commands and I couldn’t believe my eyes! Teaching the dogs that they have independent foot movement by placing their feet on small FITpaws objects one at a time on command, pinwheels spinning in one direction, Whirling by turning and spinning in the opposite direction with a flick of the wrist, “parking” by turning around in front of the handler and backing under a chair they are sitting on, taking the full bag of training treats gently to another bystander with a soft mouth and never even TRYING to eat the treats, pivoting beautifully, sending them out around a post from a distance where they return to a beautiful “front” position waiting for their next opportunity to please their handler……the list could go on and on!!!! Oh, and did I mention the ‘simple’ job of a dog performing tasks based upon a music note that is being sung??????? 🙂 To be honest, I felt a little bit inadequate as a volunteer trainer! I was thinking, “Wait, I have to learn how to teach that!” I had to remind myself that the obedience portion of the training like sit, down, wait, recall, and loose leash walking is the most critical part of assistance dog training, and that the reason these dogs know so much more is simply because they have much more time to learn these things and it gives dogs in prison jobs to do to keep from being bored.

As I spent the day interviewing them and watching their efforts unfold in amazement, I kept thinking how much time they have spent working with these dogs. They are making a difference in these dog’s lives, and they are making a difference in the lives of the future clients. As volunteers for this organization, we tell ourselves this as well. But as the day progressed, I got a sense of HOW MUCH these dogs are changing the handlers lives-and it is in this place where the difference between inmate handler and volunteer diverges a bit.

As volunteers outside of the prison program, we take a puppy or dog into our home and we independently train it to the best of our ability so that someday in the future it will have the best chance of being an incredible partner for a client. It is us and a dog. We go to training class with others, but it is mainly one on one work that we do with the dog. I want the dogs I train to make everyday life easier, social opportunities greater, and independence for the client is an expected result I hold myself to.

In prison, the handlers have the same task-but with many more obstacles in their way along the journey. They live with others 24 hours a day and have to navigate through the intricate world of how others around them play a part in their journey. One-on-one training doesn’t happen nearly as much, and most of the time they are together with others. They have “sitters” for when they are unable to be around the dogs, and therefore there may be differences of opinion on how to train a dog. Some handlers may want to share their knowledge with others, while not everyone else may not be interested in hearing their expertise. Imagine what it would be like if you had to spend all day, every day, with 20 others who are training dogs-eat, sleep, train and play together. And then maybe you can imagine some of the daily struggles that might be encountered along the way.

During this journey, they have to learn to interact with the assistance dog in training that they are caring for, but they have to grow in learning how to interact with other inmates and handlers along the way as well. All of sudden, if they learn to trust the process, life transforms a bit and they have to see outside of themselves and work towards a goal together. And as important as “graduation day” is for all of us volunteers to see our dogs in training cross that stage, it takes on a much greater importance for these handlers. It may very well be the proudest moment of their lives, and you can feel their excitement about seeing the dog they trained on stage!

During the interviews, this is the part that impressed me most and more than once reduced me to tears. I listened to the handlers express their joys and their struggles, and they more than once talked emotionally about how it’s not easy, but it’s worth it because of their love for the dog in training. Some of them talked about how it used to be just about them and they never thought of anyone else before, and now they have to work to create a future for a dog so that they can change someone else’s life. And they admitted that it’s not always easy to make that leap from thinking only of themselves to putting someone else first, but it was obvious that were putting their best efforts into the process and that is truly inspiring. Maybe one of the many benefits of having a program like this is that the handlers get to let their guard down a bit-they get to share emotions, and they get to invest their heart.

It is often said, even by me, that this organization couldn’t be successful without the participation of the prison systems that are currently part of the program. But what is sometimes left unsaid is that it’s very likely that some of these handlers couldn’t be as successful in their journey to change and develop if it weren’t for the love of a dog. These very special, born for a purpose pups!

Thank you to everyone that has allowed me the opportunity to see into a part of the assistance dog world that not many get to see! It has changed my perspective, and it has given me a newfound appreciation for gifts that assistance dogs give to everyone along the way. They don’t just change and touch the lives of the clients they are placed with; they touch the lives and hearts of hundreds along the way-and those whom they touch will never be the same!

Liam and I having a conversation about his ‘star quality”!

I so loved having the opportunity to reconnect with the pups again!

Liam taking some time to enjoy a pool break during the 90+ degree late September day!

July 19th, 2017 – Oh! The Places You’ll Go! Congratulations GRANDMA Sugar!!

July 19, 2017July 20, 2017Leave a comment

Ivy looks so content as a Mom-completely reminds me of Sugar with her smile!

You’ll be on your way up,
You’ll be seeing great sights,
You’ll join the high fliers,
Who soar to great heights!

Wherever you fly,
You’ll be best of the best,
Wherever you go,
You will top all the rest.

~Dr. Seuss

While Sugar only has a little over a week left until she has her 4th litter of puppies, I received the awesome news today from Can Do Canines that Nutmeg (now named Ivy) from Sugar’s very first litter has just become a momma to 5 beautiful puppies in Japan, and Sugar now is a Grandma!

This is special news on its own, but it is even more special when you consider that the journey of these dogs in training cross state lines, traverse countries across the globe, and touch the lives of countless numbers of people along the way. Sugar currently has puppies in Japan, California, Canada and Minnesota amongst 4 different organizations.

Sugar began her career at Guiding Eyes in New York. When she was 1 1/2 years old. Guiding Eyes and Can Do Canines arranged to have her become a breeding dog for Can Do Canines, with the opportunity of some of her pups going back into the Guiding Eyes program or a program of their choice to continue to bring great bloodlines into programs across the world. Sugar had her first litter in August of 2015 and had 6 beautiful little girls-2 yellow and 4 black pups which became the Spice Girls litter. Cayenne, Poppy, Sage, Nutmeg, Clover and Saffron started their journey in the assistance dog world!

It was determined that Nutmeg and Sage would be in Great Start homes here in Minnesota until they were old enough to travel and then they would go back to Guiding Eyes. Then the puppies were sent to Japan in helping to further develop a program for guide dogs there. After leaving Can Do Canines, their names were changed to Ivy and Isla. and their big journey began!

At some point during that time it was decided that Ivy (Nutmeg) would become a breeder dog and that Isla (Sage) would be in the guide dog training program. It’s really incredible all of the things that are taken into account in Assistance Dog programs that determine which path will be best for each dog, but I’ve learned over the years that it is not a decision taken lightly! Personality/Temperament, breeding qualities, size, and a huge variety of other factors play a role in the decisions of making awesome assistance dogs!

After this first litter, Sugar has had 2 more litters and has had a total of 16 puppies with more on the way! She’s definitely doing her part to make a difference in the world!

And, so the legacy continues for assistance dogs across the globe on a daily basis-with the help of many, programs flourish, lives are changed, and success is realized!

Congratulations to Momma Ivy, Grandma Sugar and EVERYONE who has a hand in making the dogs, the programs and the world better every single day!

This is Sugar today-8 weeks pregnant

This is Ivy/Nutmeg before delivering her pups

Above are photos of Sugar (left) taken today at 8 weeks pregnant and on the right is Ivy/(Nutmeg) before she had her puppies. Like Mother, Like Daughter!!!

Ivy and Isla are representing November for the calendar!

Visiting Stanley Prison: Over 6 Months Old and Growing-Far Away, Yet So Close To My Heart!

June 8, 2017June 13, 20171 Comment

~Smiles turn into laughs and laughs turn into kisses-and before you know it, the days turn into weeks-and weeks into months. And you find yourself forgetting who you were or what it was like before they were born~

Their enthusiastic greeting reassured me that somehow they knew who we were! Liam’s tongue and tail were going like crazy, and I was loving every minute of it!

Lyric is still the bold, energetic pup that I remember!

The day that I have been thinking about for what seems like forever finally arrived! Wednesday, June 7th was the day that I was able to go visit the 2 “L litter” pups Liam and Lyric at the Stanley Correctional Facility in Wisconsin and meet their handlers!!!! I was filled with every emotion possible: anticipation, nervousness, joy, and a touch of sadness that they are growing up so quickly. They are a little over 7 months old now, and I couldn’t wait to see them!

Ken and I talked about what we thought the visit would be like on our drive there-what we might see, whether the dogs would have any clue who I was, and what we would learn from the handlers and staff as we got to spend the day with them learning about the puppy program at Stanley and how they were doing working with Liam and Lyric. I can honestly say if I took every expectation and thought that I was thinking in my mind about how I anticipated the day to progress, and if you asked me how it compares to the actual experience, it wasn’t anywhere close.

Lyric (left) and Liam (right) with the handlers (Vernon & Ronald are Lyric’s handlers-DeJay & Marc are Liam’s handlers), Ken and I

We made it through security (after a few tries on my part!) and walked through the first set of locked gates, and all of a sudden, off to my right, I saw 2 beautiful yellow labs and 4 handlers working with them in the distance and I knew it was Liam and Lyric. I’m not sure why, but all of a sudden the tears came! Happiness to see them even at a distance, shock at how much they’ve grown, that they were working diligently with their handlers and ignoring all of the sights and sounds around them…..probably all of the above! I couldn’t help myself and I enthusiastically waved through the fences to the handlers(and pups) in the distance! There was a shift change, which meant that the security personnel for the evening was coming in, so we had to wait for a little in that area to allow for the change and the few minutes seemed like forever. I intently watched the pups working on their tasks and anxiously waited to get to the other side so I could say hi to them! Finally, it was almost time, and I had to catch myself from stepping in front of the staff to get to the outdoor area…

When I walked through the door, all I could see was those beautiful puppies in front of me as everything else surrounding me fell away. For just a few moments it was me and them, and the joy for me was palpable. They greeted me, jumped on me and licked me and for that instant, I knew in my heart that there was something, no matter how small, that they remembered about me! Whether it was my voice, my “puppy, puppy, puppy” call, or the smell of their mom that undoubtedly was on my clothing-it didn’t matter! The months since I last saw them disappeared as did the anxiety of the day and the worries of how they were doing!

Holly and Lyric 060717

After the unbelievable puppy reunion, I collected myself and apologized to the handlers for not saying hi to them yet! They had patiently waited in the background and let Ken and I love all over those bundles of joy (which probably went against any rule of people petting assistance dogs, but I was reassured by the handlers and staff this was an expected situation and they didn’t have their capes on!). We went through the introductions and questions were flooding my brain. How do you like working with them? What is the program at Stanley like? What is the difference between the two puppies? What have they learned so far? How has this changed you? What do your families think about you being in the program? I felt like I was throwing questions at them in rapid fire succession, and all of us had the added experience of being filmed by Mark the videographer while this was taking place. When Mark didn’t have the camera rolling or was trying to set up equipment, I tried my best not to ask any questions about the dogs or the program-but with little success. Then in the background, I would hear Mark say “you can’t ask questions yet Holly….” and so I jokingly told the handlers they needed to keep me off-topic.

The conversations were honest, sincere, and thought provoking. They got choked up when talking about what this program means to them and in turn it was all I could do to keep myself together. The handlers shared stories with me about their families, their journey with the dogs, how being in the program affects their daily life, and their heart. They could have chosen to stay on the surface in their conversations with me, but they seemed to enjoy someone enthusiastically talking with them about something they love to do, a joy that we share together as volunteers, and I so appreciated their conversations! I got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see how powerful these assistance dogs in training can be for inmate handlers and the facility as a whole. Without a doubt, these dogs are changing many lives before they even make it to their final home with their forever human! The prison program has always had a little bit of mystery surrounding it for me, not for lack of people trying to explain what it’s like, but because without seeing it sometimes it’s hard to believe and comprehend what others are saying.

So, what did I see? I saw program staff that are absolutely all in when it comes to making sure this program is successful for everyone involved; I saw engaged handlers working with the dogs on tasks that will change someone’s life, I saw happy dogs, connected emotionally with their handlers, and I saw pride in the eyes of staff and handlers/sitters involved with the program. Both the handlers AND dogs were eager to learn and eager to please. I was able to visually see what my mind couldn’t understand before. Most importantly, I got to hear from the handlers themselves about the lessons they’ve learned from being part of this program; patience, tolerance, teamwork, understanding that the most important goal is the success of the dog(and that it sometimes takes a little while to come to this realization!), confidence, giving back in an extremely tangible way, and how change is possible if given the right tools.

And what about the dogs? What have they learned? They’ve learned tasks at their young age that I haven’t even been able to train for with the dogs we puppy raised in our own home through adulthood! They can go to their handlers based upon a specific “call” that is different from others and they know which one belongs to the call, the heel, side, sit, down, tug, under, park, clean up, spin, front, back, away, and Liam can wait without eating food out of his bowl while his handler goes to another floor and gets coffee-releasing him when he returns. They know that when their collar comes off, they go to their kennel even when they are outside of the room. I could continue with many more skills they know, but suffice it to say that training is happening and is very successful! Lives are changed because people are taking the time to invest their heart and energy for a cause bigger than themselves.

Talking with the handlers/sitters about the whelping program

And if that wasn’t amazing enough in every way, I then got to have a “learning session” with the entire training group and share my story of being a whelping home, explaining how that part of the organization works to bring puppies to the program for training. I told myself if I saw boredom or 3 handlers start to doze out of boredom, I would stop talking have them use the training time for the dogs instead-but to my surprise they sat listening and asking wonderful questions about all aspects of the program. And afterward, many came up to Ken and me, shaking our hands and thanking us for what we do-and all we could do was thank them right back for volunteering too! After all, we are all volunteers for the same mission and vision!

And when I asked the handlers how they’ve learned all the skills they have acquired, with a broad smile they replied that “Miss Dyan” (Can Do Canines Trainer that handles Wisconsin) has taught them everything they know!

Out of all the lessons that I took away from my experience, (which were many!) the most basic takeaway for me was this: Mistakes have been made in their past, that’s true-but it doesn’t (and shouldn’t) define their future OR their ability to make a positive difference in the lives of others . Isn’t that what we ALL hope for in our own lives as well at the end of the day?

Giving Back, Looking Forward-A First Hand Account of Lyric and Liam’s First Day at Stanley

March 3, 2017March 3, 20171 Comment

(The blog entry below is written by Mark who is videotaping the journey of the Amazing “L’s” from birth to client for a documentary on assistance dogs)

A bit more on the journey of the Amazing “L’s” – rock stars Lyric and Liam as they settle into Stanley Prison.

Yesterday, Barb Chelgren and Ciara Nervick once again proved how selfless the Can Do Canines Great Start puppy raisers are. On treacherous roads, they made their way to Can Do Canines in New Hope, Barb with Liam and Ciara with Lyric. It was the turn in day for the pups they had loved and trained and given their hearts to. The moment when the leash is handed over is one that I had always heard about but have never witnessed. After a few more pets and kisses, Barb and Ciara were off to continue on with their day with a little piece of their hearts left behind.

Liam and Lyric’s day was just beginning. Trainer Dyan Larson loaded them up for the 2 hour, 20-minute drive to Stanley Correctional Institution in Stanley, Wisconsin. Stanley is a medium security facility and the warden, Reed Richardson, is safe to say, a dog fanatic! He has a lab at home and when he was promoted to warden and assigned to Stanley, he insisted on making Stanley a dog prison. At the time, there was only one other prison in Wisconsin that trained dogs and he was going to leave no stone unturned to get one at his prison. He and his staff worked like crazy to find a partner to make it happen. Can Do Canines was just far enough away that it didn’t make sense for them to place dogs in Stanley. That’s when Dyan Larson changed everything. She is an amazing trainer who lives in Eau Claire who agreed to be the program trainer. That meant Can Do didn’t have to travel their staff to Stanley and the program was launched.

To say the warden and staff at Stanley are thrilled to have a puppy program is a vast understatement. The warden talks about all the positive changes that have resulted from having dogs, even with the inmates who aren’t part of the dog program. Just seeing a dog walk by makes all the difference in the world. And it’s all thanks to the perseverance to a lab loving warden.

The Warden getting to know the new pups on the block!

So, no surprise yesterday that when Dyan arrived, the warden was in the parking lot to greet her and the newest members of the Stanley gang, Liam and Lyric. Since they’re brothers, and brothers tend to chew on each other, Dyan suggested to Warden Richardson that he take Lyric and she would take Liam. After walking across the parking lot towards the front door, and of course, a pee break by the flag pole, the two walked into the lobby only to be greeted by 8-10 staff members who couldn’t wait to see them. They had all heard for two months that they were going to get two of the “L’s” and the excitement of everyone finally seeing them was just joyful to watch. After all the initial hellos, everyone went back into the administration area where they closed the door to the lobby and let Liam and Lyric off leash. The puppies went wild running around the room, getting tons of pets and kisses and, of course, Liam and Lyric got each other’s ears a few times. As the staff looked on with huge smiles, Warden Richardson taught Lyric to speak in about 3 minutes. I’m sure Dyan wasn’t that impressed having just listened to Liam and Lyric speaking non-stop for 2 ½ hours from Minneapolis!

Warden then hooked up Lyric’s leash and headed back into his office to show Lyric where the treats are kept!

Then, it was time. After going through security to enter the prison, the puppies were then walked outside through two more huge gates, past the razor wire and into the visitors building. After going through Control, which monitors the movements of everyone in the prison and opens and closes doors, the puppies walked confidently into the visitors area where four carefully chosen inmates were anxiously awaiting their arrival.

Lyric soaking up the love and hugs!

Liam full of kisses!

Puppy love at it’s best!

Liam greeting his new handler!

Two inmates are assigned to each puppy. The inmates share a cell and the puppy crate easily takes up 40% of the floor space in the cell. It’s extremely tight but no one complains a bit because they have a puppy. There are approximately 40 inmates in the dog unit. They are all in the same housing unit and all go to training classes even if they don’t currently have a dog assigned to them. Ahead of Liam and Lyric coming in, there were 12 dogs in the unit so that means only 24 of the inmates have dogs. The rest all share in the joy of being around the dogs and help with the training during the classes. However, there’s nothing like having your own dog and that’s what the four inmates in the visitor’s room had been waiting for months.

Ronald and Vernon were assigned to Lyric. DeJay and Marc were assigned to Liam but whose dog was whose didn’t matter when Liam and Lyric walked through the door. Within seconds, the four inmates were on the floor savoring all the puppy kisses and hugging and loving the pups up like they had known them forever. Just to see the joy on the faces of the four was overwhelming. It didn’t take a minute for Marc to end up on his back with a puppy crawling all over his chest.

After 10 minutes of intense puppy loving, they took them outside for another potty break and then onto the unit. The dog unit is building 5, the closest to the front gate. It’s also the most visible to the guard tower and has several fenced in areas that the inmates and dogs can play off leash and potty. Each dog has his own assigned potty area so they can make sure to track any issues a dog might have. At night, when the inmates are locked in their cells, if a dog has to go busy, the inmate rings a buzzer and staff lets the inmate and dog out of the cell, down the cellblock and out to the potty yard. After they are done, they’re locked back in their cells.

The unit has two stories of cells that are in a big U shape. The common area in the middle is known as the day room. That’s where inmates spend a lot of their time before and after work. They eat all their meals there and socialize with each other. It was into this room that Liam and Lyric and their new puppy raisers walked, or should I say floated, into. Immediately, all the inmates gathered around the new stars of the dog unit. Of course, so did the 12 dogs and it was mayhem. It was an incredible scene. Most of the inmates with dogs spend a great part of their time in the dayroom on the concrete floor just being with their beautiful pups.

After all the greetings had tapered off, it was time for an early dinner for the inmates because Dyan’s training class started at 4:30. Liam and Lyric were put into their crates in their cells for the first time and they were not happy. As Lindsay Merkel so perfectly put it, they sang songs of their people serenading the inmates with a little dinner music. But, that didn’t last long because it was out the door and to the huge gym where training happens.

Even though most of the dog unit inmates had just met Liam and Lyric, Dyan introduced their arrival at the class to a great round of applause and hoots by the whole unit.

Earlier, Dyan told the four handlers to make sure they didn’t compare Liam and Lyric’s abilities to those of the other dogs in the unit who are somewhat older. She emphasized that the new pups should have at least a week to get settled into their new surroundings and told them to keep working on the skills they already have learned from their Great Start homes but to not push them yet. So, during the class, Liam and Lyric mostly watched the other dogs go through the paces and enjoyed all the pets and attention from the inmates who don’t currently have dogs assigned.

I told Marc and DeJay the story of how Liam got his name. He was Holly’s favorite from day one and when Holly got to assign names to the puppies, she knew in an instant that her favorite was going to be named Liam because that’s her grandson’s name. I told them that Liam had been Mr. Orange and that Lyric had been Mr. Red. Warden Richardson heard the story and looked at their leashes and said the dogs needed to trade leases because by happenstance, Mr. Orange (Liam) had a red leash on and Mr. Red (Lyric) had an orange leash on . So now both pups are flying their original colors as they begin their new chapter in their lives to being assistance dogs.

After the class, it was time to go out to potty again on the way to Unit 5. By this time, Liam and Lyric were EXHAUSTED. I don’t know how they could even move. They all stayed in the dayroom when we called it a night around 7. I think they were going to be falling fast asleep in no time.

I’ll visit again in two weeks to see how they’re coming along. Their days will be filled with more of the same. Lots of quality time with the handlers and tons of training. The puppies will go with the inmates to their jobs in the prison just as the puppies go with their puppy raiser families to work. Evenings are spent with the dog unit inmates comparing notes on training and showing off what they’ve done with their dogs.

Just as puppy raisers and Great Start homes have a need to hear about what happens in prison with their pups, the inmates have an insatiable need to hear what happens to the dogs when they are teamed up with their clients. There is a big bulletin board hanging in the dog unit dayroom that has Alisha Schrock’s letter of thanks to Can Do for her dog Maverick. They have all the issues of the newsletter with the client stories just to hear. They also, for several months, have had the photos Holly took of Sugar and the baby “L’s” hanging up there awaiting their arrival at Stanley.

I hope this gives everyone a little more info on what goes on. Thanks to Warden Richardson and his Admin assistant Lori for making this all happen!

Mark

Lyric

Liam

Big Steps for Little Paws-Loving and Letting Go

March 2, 2017March 2, 20171 Comment

A little over 100 days old and the puppies continue their journeys towards the destination of becoming assistance dogs and giving freedom to their clients! While it was tough for me to let them go at 7 weeks of age, today I realize how difficult it is for the great start families to say goodbye as well since I have had a few great start pups of my own along the way.

They’ve had Liam and Lyric for about 5 weeks now, and I know how quickly these pups steal your heart! They’ve worked with them on all of the critical puppy skills; socialization, potty training, crate training, leash manners, basic obedience and much more. They got to add critical parts to the building blocks of the puppies success and now they get to watch their efforts blossom in the next stage of their journey at Stanley Prison in Wisconsin. What a gift you’ve given to these pups to get them started successfully on their way!

I’ve been thinking about those two pups all day. I wondered how they were doing, whether they were adjusting to yet another change, how the great start families were doing after they had to say goodbye, whether the volunteer handlers would be thrilled to see them and fall in love with them just as quickly as the rest of us. I secretly wished I could be a fly on the wall and watch the interactions of the puppies and their puppy raisers that they will be learning the ropes from – and then as if he could hear my thoughts this evening I received a text from Mark who was filming the day’s events at Stanley. He followed his text up with a couple of pictures and a phone call, and once again my heart melted as Mark shared some of the great things that happened as the puppies were getting to know their new surroundings and people! His descriptions allowed me to visualize the day, the welcoming of the staff and other inmates, the excitement of the puppy raisers when they got to see the puppies enter, the support for the puppies and the program that was much bigger than just the handlers for Liam and Lyric……It sounds like an incredible day of life and puppy love!

It’s probably a very good thing I wasn’t there or I would have spent the whole day in tears of happiness and gratitude I’m sure! If hearing about the journey today wasn’t enough, I got the pure joy of seeing some pictures of the interactions between the puppies and their handlers. The prison puppy program has had a little mystery around it for me over my years as a volunteer because we hear occasional stories about the progress of the puppies during their time at various prisons in the program, but never before have I been fortunate enough to have the details of the first day that the puppies arrive, which I attribute to the fact that these puppies are being filmed for the purpose of Mark’s documentary.

I’m sure today is much like every other puppy arrival into the program for everyone else-but for me, it’s totally different because these are Sugar’s puppies and I feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for their well-being, happiness, and success even though they are no longer with me. I totally understand that this is an expectation I place on myself and that it is unrealistic, but it doesn’t matter. My hopes and dreams for these puppies will be realized when I see them walk across the stage and change someone’s life-until that time the journey isn’t complete.

So, the pictures throughout this blog post will give you a sense of why I’m so thrilled this evening! These are a couple of pictures of their day today. They look confident and carefree. I love seeing the handlers interacting with them, and I can see that they are looking forward to getting to know these puppies and loving them! Liam and Lyric are going to be just fine! They are going to get love, fun, training and adventure and I can’t wait to see them grow! My appreciation continues to grow for each and every person who has touched these puppies lives and I continue to be amazed at how lucky the dogs in this organization are to have so many people giving them love and training.

To the Warden and staff at Stanley, I want to express my appreciation and thanks for supporting the program so wholeheartedly! And for the inmates and puppy raisers at Stanley, please know that I am so honored to share in the journey of changing lives through the wonderful journey of assistance dogs in training with Can Do Canines! Some day I hope I get the chance to thank you personally for puppy raising these Sugar Babies!!!!

A quick nap before playtime begins again!

Lyric during the warm weather spell in February

Lyric and his foster brother Ace

Liam at puppy class at Can Do Canines

Liam taking a well-deserved nap!

Prison Programs to Help Raise Puppies

February 23, 2017February 23, 2017Leave a comment

I often get asked a lot of questions about the non-profit organization that Sugar is with and it’s programs. Sometimes it’s difficult to answer the questions, because as a volunteer I do my part and I try to learn that part to the best of my ability, but I realize that it is only one tiny piece of the HUGE puzzle that makes an organization like this work on a daily basis and become successful. On many occasions I am overwhelmed thinking about each piece and what it must take to pull it all off and get little 8 week old puppies to their final destination with their client. One of the areas that I get many questions about is the prison programs and how they work. Sugar has had puppies from her litters become part of the prison programs and her latest litter is planning to start their journey in the Stanley program in Wisconsin.

I have to be honest and say I’m not completely sure of all of the details and it changes with time, but I do know without this critical component of the program, many people wouldn’t have gotten a dog yet. And it’s not just about “numbers”. I believe this program changes lives. I can tell you that I know the program has been successful for both puppies and humans alike because I have seen the dogs raised in prison graduate to change the lives of their clients, and at one of the dog graduations last year one of the former inmates also attended to present a dog he had helped to train while in prison. I took some time to go over and talk to him, thank him for his work with the dogs and see what he had to say. What I learned is that working with these dogs while he was an inmate gave him hope-something he hadn’t had for a long time. It gave him confidence in himself that he could return to society and be a productive member rather than returning to his previous lifestyle. He also felt great that he had learned a skill that could be part of a resume that he could utilize to get a job so that he could realize his potential, and that he was seen for something other than his mistakes. I asked him about his plans in the near future, and he said he was looking at a variety of jobs in the animal industry. During our conversation I also found out that he was one of the volunteer inmates that worked with one of the dogs we were puppy raising that went there while we were whelping one of Sugar’s litters. We immediately had a common connection and we talked about this goofy, funny and lovable dog that we both had worked with and that had stolen a piece of our heart. It was an eye opening experience for me, and without the common connection of our volunteer experience, I’m sad to say that I may have missed this wonderful opportunity to wish this young man a happy and hopeful future and thank him for his service training the dogs.

I get questions asking if the dogs are safe, why is this program important and why can’t organizations just use people who aren’t in prison? I’ve asked myself many of those questions along the way as well. Every year volunteering I learn a little bit more and I’m even more impressed than I was before. I can tell you that I am sure that inmates are as carefully selected as the volunteers in the community in order to volunteer, the rules and requirements to be in the program are not easy, the dog’s care, safety and learning is at the forefront during their time with ANY volunteer whether in prison or the community, the dogs are given many opportunities to get out in the community with fosters so that they have a wide range of experiences and can be well rounded, and that I can only imagine what the waiting lists for assistance dogs would be like if we didn’t have the help and volunteers through the prison program. I can also say that I am frequently amazed at the skills that the inmates have acquired and have taught these dogs; and I would love the opportunity to have them train ME on how they teach some of those things! Everyone deserves the opportunity to make a difference in another persons life.

Assistance dog organizations are always looking for additional volunteers and they simply can’t grow and meet the needs of those on the waiting lists without additional help. Prison fosters that get the dogs out for long weekends, regular fosters, puppy raisers, great start homes, dog walkers……and the list goes on an on. All of that has to happen so that the dogs in the organization can be given away free to a client to give them independence. All volunteers get to give love and receive love, they get to work towards something that helps others, and they get to hopefully see the results of their hard work. Regardless of who you are, the impact is universal if you are volunteering for the right reasons – and just like most of us volunteers we are amazed that the first life the dog changes forever is our own.

These are some of the quotes from stories about prison programs on the East Coast and Colorado. And although each program is entirely different (some train dogs for service dog organizations and some take in rescues and rehabilitate them as well as many other options) and the development and refinement of these programs since this article in 2004 has been wonderful over the years to continue to improve it and increase the success of both the programs and those who participate in them , there is a commonality in their stories.

From a Smithsonian article titled “New Leash on Life” ( New leash on life article) way back in 2004 about what the dogs do for them:

Veteran raiser says he learned more from giving up his first dog than taking care of it. “It’s called empathy. I didn’t know it existed in me until that moment.”

“We’re not raising these dogs, we’re in partnership with them and with each other”

“The love we get and the love we give reaches society before we get there, in the form of these wonderful working dogs.”

“All of us in the program are sorry for what we’ve done, but instead of just saying it, which is easy, we’re showing it,” he says. “These dogs make time here almost bearable.”

“I’ve seen 6-foot-2, 250-pound guys rolling around on the floor kissing and talking in a high voice to their dogs. We all do it, even in the yard with 200 other inmates and guards walking by. We don’t care what anybody thinks. It’s all about what’s good for the dogs. We owe them. They did what nothing or nobody could—they took away our selfishness.”

“The inmates are highly motivated and raise very well-behaved dogs, as good as those of our best raisers,” says Jane Russenberger, senior director of breeding and placement for Guiding Eyes.

From a Colorado program that rehabilitates rescues and has produced some episodes about their success- Saving Castaways

“It’s like two goods for the price of one.”

“The coolest thing the program taught me is responsibility,” he says. “If we mess this up, we lose something that’s really cool.”

Day 70: The Journey-A Day Full of Firsts!

January 26, 2017January 26, 20171 Comment

It is 2:54 am, and tonight sleep is evasive; the puppies are tucked safely away in their new homes and all is returning back to normal(except for the not sleeping part!). But unless you have had a litter of puppies in your home, the one thing that no one prepares you for is that although these are “just puppies” and they were only in my home for a short 7 weeks of their lives, they get a piece of my heart for a lifetime. I don’t stop worrying about them or thinking about them because they aren’t present in my home-it reminds me instead of when my own children went off to college. I frequently think of Sugar’s first litter that are almost 1 1/2 years old, counting down to the time when they will meet their person. Tonight I woke up after dreaming about the puppies and couldn’t fall back to sleep, so decided to write for awhile. But as I write this, I once again realize and appreciate the fact that although they aren’t with me, whelping homes are SO lucky because we get to experience their journey vicariously through the joy of others!

When the updates on the puppies started arriving as early as the same evening of the transition I was thrilled! I anxiously waited until the next morning to check Facebook (okay, SCOUR Facebook!) and see how their first night had gone in their new homes, what puppy antics they had put their new puppy raisers and great start homes through, and how they were adapting to yet another change in their lives. It’s an emotional roller coaster that no one can adequately prepare you for, and as with anything else I’m sure everyone feels varying degrees of attachment to pups that they raise in their home. I am one of those that feels large amounts of emotion so it seems fitting that my connection to these pups would continue, just as it did with Sugar’s first litter. I somehow feel an “ownership” in how their journey plays out just as I’ve done in the past when I have been a puppy raiser. I also think that doing this blog and facebook page to document the journey and share it with others has increased my connection to these puppies since I have spent a lot of time thinking and writing about them! I think that the varied connections to these dogs are what make the volunteer journey so special.

Leonard with his new family friend!

Lizzie with her new pal!

Linus learning the ropes at Can Do Canines where he will get to visit frequently with his puppy raiser!

Lola learning where the best napping spots are in her new home!

Lyric with his new buddy!

Liam with his new confidante!

When I think of the number of people that touch the lives of these dogs to get them to their final placement, it’s almost overwhelming. If the program gets in 70 puppies throughout the year, 70 or more new volunteers are needed. Breeding Fosters, Whelping Homes, Great Start Homes, Puppy Raisers, Inmate Puppy Raisers, Fosters, volunteers that exercise the dogs at the facility and take them on outings to make sure they are ready for their duties, Trainers, Staff that connect the dots for each of the dogs coming into or leaving the program and the list continues. Each of us gets to put a piece of the puzzle together to create the building blocks of the assistance dog in training on the “yellow brick road” to their client.

When that dog doesn’t make it to what we have already built in our mind as their destiny, disappointment follows-at least I know it does for me. It doesn’t matter the reason for the detour; many of us think if there is something we could have done differently-if we could have worked harder, if we could have trained better. In our minds, we know that many things determine whether a dog graduates from the program-but our heart takes the lead and it’s hard not to make it personal because we’ve put a lot of time and energy into “our dream” to make them great. I don’t pat myself on the back and tell myself “Well Holly, you did a great job anyways”-but rather “what did I miss and how could I have done it differently?” I don’t beat myself up over it as I know there are MANY reasons a dog may not make it through the entire program and many of those reasons are completely out of my control, but I would be lying if I said that once a dog has spent time with me in my home that I don’t take a vested interest in their success 🙂

But, on the other hand, when a dog whose life we have touched makes it to that pinnacle moment and our dream for them is realized I can only imagine what that will feel like. I say that because although I have been a volunteer for more than 5 years I have yet to be “in that moment”. I’ve lost count of the number of dogs through our home. We have tried to volunteer in as many opportunities as possible including great start, puppy raising, fostering, breeding/whelping etc. We have puppy raised three incredible dogs, all three were a different breed of dog-all with VERY different journeys. One was career changed(now a very happy and loved family pet for someone), one was moved into a different career path, and one is in final training to become possibly a mobility assist dog. But then there are the puppies that have been through our home and just as anxiously I wait for them to move through the program because I am equally thrilled to follow their journey! I feel a similar connection to them although I wasn’t a part of their formal training and growing up years-but I WAS part of their beginning days! I personally believe that everyone who has a hand in touching the lives of these pups rightly deserves the opportunity to celebrate in some form or another when they find their forever person!

So, the next time you see someone with a service dog in training and you want to ask them the #1 question we get asked of “How can you give them up after you have them for so long?”(Just for the record, the answer is “It’s hard! And, yes, we are sad to say goodbye. But we try to keep our mind on the final goal and remember that this dog will change someone’s life and that is incredibly AWESOME!”), try asking a different question instead to get a better picture, like”How do you feel when you see them change a life?”, “Why do you choose to do this kind of volunteer work?”, or the best question, “How can I help?” I think you will be inspired by the answers you hear!!!!