News

Service Dog Gets Degree

December 7, 2020

When Maggie Leptrone, a nursing student at the University of West Georgia, walked across the stage at Commencement Saturday morning, she wasn’t alone. Mona, her Diabetic Alert Dog, fetched herself a diploma, too. Mona, a Labradoodle, became the first canine companion in UWG history to receive an honorary “dog-ree” during in-person Commencement ceremonies that honored […]

Caring Canines

December 7, 2020

Add a couple more veterans who can ease their stress a bit thanks to the Canines Assisting Service Heroes program. David White’s bond with Chief was evident during a ceremony inside the Reidel K9 facility Saturday afternoon, while Edward Heddinger and Gunny were unabashedly sharing affection for all to see. The CASH program, created by […]

Service Dog Community

December 4, 2020

No longer will emotional support animals be considered service animals. A service animal is defined only as “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.” That means “emotional support” peacocks, pigs and horses will no longer be able to fly. For Kelly […]

Service Dog Training

December 4, 2020

Do you love dogs and want to do a bit of good for the world at the same time? Now’s your time to shine. Southeastern Guide Dogs a non-profit organization that trains dogs to assist veterans and those with disabilities, is looking for a few willing volunteers to raise puppies for 12-18 months. Here’s how […]

Raising Money For Service Dog

December 4, 2020

One Somerset family is expressing their gratitude for their local community, which has come together to help them make life better and safer for two of their children. Brothers Dylan, 13, and Chase, 12, are the sons of Jami Johnson. Both were diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum as toddlers. And while the family […]

Guide Dogs

December 4, 2020

A yellow Labrador retriever named Paul was born to be a Southeastern Guide Dogs superhero, but as fate would have it, that wasn’t to be. Barely out of puppyhood, the 30-month-old dog spent his formative months like every future guide dog, living for his first year or so with puppy raisers, and then heading back […]

Delray Teen And His Service Dog

December 2, 2020

Shane Koch is spreading awareness about Tourette’s Syndrome with his viral “Callum the Ridgy” TikTok page. The 16-year-old’s connection with his dog has garnered more than 1.4 million followers. “I created the page to show awareness, to show that you are not different nor normal and it’s better to be weird than normal,” said Koch. […]

Service Dog Retiring

November 25, 2020

Talking to police or giving testimony at a courthouse, can be a scary experience for many. Since 2014, service dogs have been allowed in the courtroom to provide emotional support for those in need. For Emery Baert, having Madison with her made a huge difference. “If she wasn’t there, to this day, I wouldn’t know […]

Painted Paws Helps Veterans

November 25, 2020

When Tyler Warrick came home from serving in the Iraq war, he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. “My little dog, Moose, gave me a purpose to get up every day and deal with life,” he says. That was the genesis of Painted Paws for Veterans, a nonprofit operating in Peyton that rescues dogs from […]

CK Police Dog

November 25, 2020

A police dog with the Chatham-Kent Police Service and his handler are being praised for their work over the past seven years, which has resulted in dozens of arrests and the seizure of thousands of dollars worth of illicit drugs. K9 Officer Arry and Constable Rick Bertok received an official citation from the Chatham-Kent Police […]

Canine Companion

November 24, 2020

A Maple Ridge family signed up for the Woof-a-Thon virtual challenge, all because of the positive impacts an autism service dog has had on their teenage son. The recent fundraising challenge was created by BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, to raise needed money towards providing guide, autism service, and PTSD service dogs to individuals in […]

Iowa Student And Her Service Dog

November 24, 2020

Kayonna Topp, 43, endured the first year of her double master’s program with reoccurring episodes of stroke-like symptoms. An Iowa State graduate student, Topp had been set to get a service dog, Kashi, in May. But due to complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the process was delayed. Kashi was trained through Paws & Effect, […]

Ellory Gets A Service Dog

November 24, 2020

After a Blue Ash girl received a complex diagnosis, her parents have been on a mission to get her a service dog because they believe it would change her life dramatically. Ellory McClure’s health journey started in late 2017 when her parents, Brian and Carolynn, say a tonsillectomy led to a change in her behavior. […]

Benson Bringing Love To Others

November 20, 2020

The Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City has a new friend to try and give love and support to those who need it. “It’s been a long road,” said Marquisha Reed, who has a child at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Her 6-month-old son, Ezra, just had his second heart surgery. With her other two children at […]

Service Dogs Helping Veterans

November 20, 2020

Six years after Warrior Freedom Service Dogs was established, the organization is expanding their one of a kind program that connects veterans to trained service dogs rescued from local animal shelters. Executive Director Adam Keith says the organization’s main goal is to help veterans reconnect with society, while providing service dogs with a loving home. […]

Puppy In Training Visits

November 20, 2020

Students in teacher Michelle Bettler’s fifth-grade class at PVPV Rawlings Elementary School were in for a treat last week as Marie Massie from K9s For Warriors brought in one of her service dogs to meet the children. Massie has raised many dogs for the K9s For Warriors, and this is not the first time she […]

Veteran And His Service Dog

November 18, 2020

Veteran Louis Belluomini has an important message to share. And on Veterans Day, he’ll share it with the nation as a guest on “The Rachael Ray Show.” The Findlay man will appear before a national audience Wednesday to discuss his work as a paramedic during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what it’s like to have a […]

Veterans Week

November 18, 2020

Veterans from across the country travel to Branson to celebrate veterans week, and now some of those heroes will return home with a new furry friend. Frank Schlechta, a disabled veteran from Texas, made the trip this morning to meet his new Saint Bernard. “She’s just such a great puppy! She’s beautiful! Oh my God, […]

Service Dogs For Veterans

November 18, 2020

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) has launched a new virtual lecture series, sponsored by IDEXX. The series will feature varying topics that are centered around research on the health benefits of the human-animal bond and the importance of veterinary medicine in strengthening human-animal bonds. The first lecture, which is set to launch on Veteran’s Day, […]

Service Dogs Program

November 18, 2020

Shawn Pederson, Army Sgt. First Class Chuck Stewart and Senior Master Sgt. Diana Trevino — it is these honorable servicemen and woman and many others like them that are deserving of our salute today. All across the country, veterans are being honored on this annual Veterans Day, Nov. 11. At a 10-acre plot of ground […]