April 2024

Open House Recap: A Paw-sitive Community Success

Our recent Open House event was a resounding success! We were delighted to welcome a diverse group of attendees, each bringing their enthusiasm and passion to learn more about our organization’s work and mission. Throughout the day, guests engaged with staff, volunteers, and service dogs while exploring our various programs and the impact they have on the community.

The positive feedback we received was heartening, with many attendees expressing appreciation for the informative sessions, interactive exhibits, and live demonstrations showcasing our service dogs’ remarkable skills. Conversations throughout the event highlighted the strong connections built and reinforced our shared commitment to creating meaningful change.

We are grateful for everyone who took the time to attend and show their support. Your engagement helps us continue providing valuable services and raising awareness for the critical role service dogs play in enhancing the lives of those who need them most.

As we move forward, we look forward to building on this momentum, guided by the valuable insights and feedback gained from this event. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we can’t wait to see you at our next gathering!

Mike’s Miles Finish: Pedaled Toward Purpose

After a remarkable journey, Mike has successfully completed his epic ride in St. Augustine, Florida, covering an astonishing 2,940 miles. Along the way, he tackled tens of thousands of feet in elevation and faced numerous challenges with unwavering determination.

His dedication has paid off tremendously. Mike has raised enough money to fully fund a veteran’s reception of a service dog—and then some! Through his relentless effort, he has made it possible for a deserving veteran to receive a loyal, supportive companion that will enhance their quality of life.

Throughout his journey, Mike didn’t just ride for the miles or the finish line. He shared stories of veterans he met along the way, shining a much-needed light on those who have bravely served our country. His storytelling has helped bring attention to the unique struggles veterans face and the positive difference service dogs can make in their lives.

We are deeply grateful for Mike’s incredible contribution and the compassion and perseverance he demonstrated during his journey. His ride not only raised vital funds but also strengthened our collective mission to empower veterans through service dogs.

Let’s celebrate Mike’s milestone achievement and thank him for the tremendous impact he’s made on our organization and the veteran community. Here’s to more inspiring stories and the lasting legacy of Mike’s Miles!

Vanderbilt LifeFlight: Scottie’s High-Flying Impact

We’re delighted to share the impact Scottie made during the Vanderbilt LifeFlight program! With her Puppy Raisers, Sara Mallen and Heather Banner, Scottie attended the event and brought joy, comfort, and a sense of calm to the LifeFlight team, who work tirelessly to provide critical emergency medical services to those in need.

Beyond her immediate contributions, Scottie’s presence at the event also served as a valuable training opportunity, exposing her to the fast-paced medical environment. This allowed Scottie to adapt to high-energy, high-stress situations, developing skills crucial for providing support in dynamic settings. Such exposure helps our service dogs build resilience and gain the confidence needed to assist in various real-world scenarios.

Sara and Heather guided Scottie with dedication, ensuring she could connect with many individuals and offer a moment of respite from their demanding roles. Their compassionate approach highlighted the benefits of skilled handling and helped Scottie shine in her supportive role.

We extend our gratitude to the Vanderbilt LifeFlight team for welcoming Scottie and providing this invaluable training opportunity. Thanks to Sara and Heather for their unwavering dedication to Scottie’s growth, and we hope her presence provided much-needed encouragement and support to the LifeFlight staff.

Graduation: New Beginnings for Our Four-Legged Heroes

We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our four-legged graduates, Harley, Parker, Mia, Mando, and Nicholas, each of whom has completed their training and is now embarking on a journey to positively impact their respective communities.

Harley and Parker as Facility Dogs:

Harley has been warmly welcomed at Johnson Elementary School, where she will bring joy, comfort, and a sense of calm to the students and staff. Her friendly demeanor and gentle spirit are sure to help create a supportive and nurturing environment for all.

Meanwhile, Parker is settling in at Polar Grove Elementary School. With his playful energy and keen ability to connect with children, he will serve as a loyal companion to the students and a valuable resource for faculty members. Whether it’s lending a paw during reading time or offering a comforting presence, Parker is poised to make a lasting difference.

Mia as a Skilled Companion:

Mia has been specially trained to assist her new companion in everyday activities, providing support and companionship. Her empathetic nature and specialized training ensure that she will significantly enhance her partner’s quality of life.

Mando and Nicholas as Service Dogs:

Mando and Nicholas have both excelled in their training and will now take on the role of service dogs, empowering their partners with increased independence. Their intelligence, loyalty, and specialized skills make them indispensable in helping their partners navigate the world with greater confidence and ease.

We are incredibly proud of these graduates and the trainers, volunteers, and donors who helped them reach this milestone. Their journey is a testament to the profound impact that service and facility dogs can have on individuals and communities.

Let’s cheer on Harley, Parker, Mia, Mando, and Nicholas as they start their new adventures, spreading hope and joy wherever they go!

Volunteer Appreciation: Paws to Applaud

We are deeply grateful to all our incredible volunteers who worked tirelessly with our graduating dogs, ensuring they receive the best possible training and care. A special shoutout goes to Courtney Peugeot, Barbara Craft, Heather Banner, Kelly Reedy, Holly Cauthen, Susan Rohleder, Jennifer Kunic, Rebekah Glasmeier, Ally Petersen, Michaela Ping, Mary Ann Ping, and many others who played an instrumental role in preparing Harley, Parker, Mia, Mando, and Nicholas for their new roles.

We also want to recognize Courtney Peugeot, Michaela Ping, Mary Ann Ping, Jessica Stadler, and Sara Mallen for their invaluable support in caring for Scout during her heat cycle. Their dedication and commitment ensured that Scout received the attention and care she needed during that time.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Sara Mallen and Heather Banner for taking Scout to Vanderbilt LifeFlight, demonstrating their readiness to step up and provide assistance whenever needed.

We’re also excited to welcome Tatum Harvey, one of our new volunteers who has already made a big impact by offering her time and energy to help with the puppies. Her willingness to step up and contribute has already brought joy to our team.

Each one of our volunteers makes an immense difference, and we’re honored to have such a committed group of volunteers standing with us in our mission. Your generosity, compassion, and unwavering support continue to inspire and uplift us all. Thank you for being such an essential part of our team!

Save the Date: Join Us for Retrieving in the Round

Mark your calendars for our annual fall fundraising event, Retrieving in the Round, which will take place on Saturday, September 14th. This highly anticipated event will bring together supporters, volunteers, and community members for a memorable evening filled with celebration, camaraderie, and giving back.

Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the date, but be sure to save the date for this exceptional opportunity to support our mission and help us continue our work providing service dogs to those who need them most. We can’t wait to see you there!

FAQs: Everything You Want to Know About Us

1. What is the mission of your organization?
   • Our mission is to foster love, dignity, and change in the lives of those we serve. Our primary goal is to match working dogs with individuals facing physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Though we’re based in Nashville, we currently support people across the entire nation. This reach may shift as our organization continues to evolve, but we remain committed to making a positive impact wherever we’re needed.
2. What programs or services do you offer?
   • We specialize in graduating various working dogs, including fully trained service dogs, skilled at-home companions, and facility dogs. Occasionally, we identify dogs whose unique traits are better suited for roles like in search and rescue, bomb detection, or becoming a pet. These dogs are then redirected to specialized programs where their potential can truly shine. Our guiding principle is that each dog ultimately finds the perfect role where they can make the most difference.
3. How can I volunteer or contribute?
   • We offer multiple opportunities for supporters to get involved and make a difference. You can:
     • Become a Puppy Raiser: Nurture a young pup during its formative stages, providing socialization and foundational training.
     • Be a Puppy Sitter: Offer short-term care when puppy raisers are unavailable.
     • Serve as a Community Outreach Representative: Help raise awareness about our mission in local communities.
     • Become a General Volunteer: Assist with various tasks, events, or projects that support our cause.
   • Additional details on each role are available on our website. We also gladly accept monetary and supply donations and greatly value those who share our mission and amplify our impact through word-of-mouth.
4. What impact have you made so far?
   • Our organization has profoundly transformed the lives of both clients and service dog recipients. Our collaboration with other organizations, like search and rescue teams, has enabled us to broaden our reach and continue growing together. We’ve proudly graduated over 100 dogs, each fulfilling unique roles tailored to their strengths and capabilities. In the Nashville school system alone, around 10 facility dogs provide invaluable support to children with special needs, offering them companionship, comfort, and encouragement.
5. Have Questions? Let Us Know!

1. • We love engaging with our community and want to make sure our newsletters address the topics that matter most to you. If you have any questions about our programs, the impact of our service dogs, or how you can get involved, we’d love to hear from you! Send us your questions, and we’ll include answers in the next newsletter. Whether it’s about our mission, training process, volunteer opportunities, or success stories, no question is too small. Your curiosity helps us connect more meaningfully and share information that benefits everyone.
   • Click this link to submit your questions!