Q1 Update: See How Your Sponsored Dog(s) Are Doing!

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FIRST QUARTER UPDATE

We’re excited to share the first update on our incredible service dogs in training! These hardworking pups have been busy learning the skills they’ll need to change lives—and we’ve got some amazing milestones to share. Keep reading to follow their inspiring journey!

SDV REMY

Remy would spend the day in someone’s lap if he could. He is a kind, medium energy dog who enjoys training and outings. He is not quick at learning verbal cues and prefers to have the supplement of a hand signal but he is always willing to work and enjoys the process. He likes to lick and is eager to find a face to smear with kisses, not something every handler appreciates, but something Remy finds extremely satisfying. He plays well with his dog friends but will disengage with them to lay quietly beside his person. Remy is being considered as a stud dog by our International Breeding Cooperative, pending health clearances and temperament evaluations.

SDV AUGIE

Augie, like Remy, is very people-centric. She is an affectionate cuddler but she is not demanding. She is a confident dog but derives some of this confidence from her handler and she benefits from clear communication and extra support. If she is uncertain what is being asked, she will shut down a bit but she will go the extra mile when she knows what is being asked of her. She caused quite a commotion in the office when she began to jump out and over the gate to be with her trainer. She was also happy to jump back in and clearly decided it was the new way to enter or exit any office at will. August is also being considered for breeding through our International Breeding Cooperative, pending health clearances and temperament evaluations.

SDV STRATOS

Stratos is energetic, silly, and intelligent. When he is idle he can stir up mischief so learning to settle quietly is one of his challenges. Fortunately, he has begun to show a wee bit of maturity which is expected now that he is a year old. His trainer tries to keep him moving at the outset of a training session, releasing some of his energy before working on more focused tasks. His main Achilles heel is that he barks when frustrated at not being included, whether it involves play or training. His frustration tolerance is improving and he is moving in the right direction. He is comfortable in any environment and embraces new situations and tasks with enthusiasm.

SDV BIKA

Bika is an energetic girl who is fearless with jumping on, over, or on top of anything. She loves to use her nose and she truly enjoys work. She is also affectionate, headstrong, and more inclined to follow her own agenda than the one her trainer had in mind. For these reasons, she will be joining the CIA’s detector dog program in the Spring. She has been a joy to train because of her keen intelligence and quick ability to learn new cues and she will be greatly missed but she will thrive at the CIA and benefit from a strong, professional handler instead of a person with a disability.

SDV NITRO

Nitro has a lovely balance between energy and thoughtfulness. Though just 8 months old, one can see the wheels turning in his mind as he makes good decisions, most of the time. His puppy raiser has found him easy to live with and easy to train. He is quite comfortable everywhere, walking on surfaces like grates, ramps and AstroTurf without hesitation. After much “discussion” about getting on furniture, Nitro has negotiated a settlement with his puppy raiser so that he is able to cuddle on the sofa when his handler requests it. Nitro is very welcoming of guests at his home and during a recent snowstorm he enjoyed playing with twenty some-odd children for an afternoon of sledding on his hill.

SDV WOODY

Woody, brother of Nitro, is a bit more laid back and consistent. He is a dependable, calm, eager learner. His raiser teaches at UVA’s School of Nursing and he goes to work with her regularly, behaving with poise in a busy environment. He is one of the most solid youngsters to come through our program and we are so delighted with him. His trainer was visiting a class recently and asked if anyone had dog allergies. Someone stood up and replied “if you do please leave because the dog is staying!” She also reports that he lies in the doorway of her office with one paw slightly extended out of the doorway as if to say “I am here, doing a great job” to all who pass by.

SDV PENNY

Penny is an adorable, energetic people lover. She is very social, wanting to meet everyone she sees on outings. She has begun to focus on her work, having learned that she can ignore the exciting things happening around her. This is a process that we work very hard on in advanced training and Penny is getting her mind around this early at only 9 months of age. Penny’s puppy raiser reports that she excels at carrying big sticks, close neck snuggles and has an uncanny ability to get more water on the floor than in her mouth.

SDV PERRY

Perry is a laid back, kind soul. He adjusts to new situations with ease, walks like a pro on leash, and has a wonderful attitude. He is a quick learner and will work for anyone, whether he knows them or not. Perry is the kind of puppy one always hopes to receive- a healthy guy with no known behavior issues and a willingness to work and learn. His raiser shared that that he was sniffing under a bush and came face to face with two doves. Perry just sat and watched with quiet curiosity. Perry is rapidly demonstrating how patient, loving and flexible he can be at such a young age. He loves his “brother” Georgie and the two love to play with a single leaf or stick in the yard though there are dozens to choose from.

SDV NOURI

Nouri is a very pretty, steady girl who does everything asked of her and shows tremendous promise. She is comfortable everywhere she goes though sometimes shows a bit of excitement in new places. Her raiser gives her consistent, clear information which allows her to thrive and show her potential. Nouri is a pup that you can see actively thinking and she is learning how to think before doing, something we always appreciate and strive for. Recently on a training outing she seemed to flip a switch in her brain and demonstrated that she not only has beauty but can back it up with great attention despite her interest in her two classmates! She loves the outdoors and can often be found sunning herself, splashing in the rain, or romping in the snow.

You can continue your support to ensure these dogs get the vital training, veterinary care, and specialized equipment they need to thrive as service animals. Your ongoing contribution is key in providing them with the skills and resources required to assist individuals with disabilities, enhancing their independence and quality of life. By giving, you’re not just helping a dog—you’re making a life-changing difference for someone in need.

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