News

Retired Sled Dogs

October 1, 2020

Northern Virginia is nearly as far as you can get in the United States from the Northern Lights of Alaska, but Comet and Swannie don’t appear to mind swapping the Wrangell Mountains for the Shenandoah Mountains. That’s because Denise Lawson, who worked to bring them more than 4,000 miles from where they were living near […]

Veteran With PTSD

October 1, 2020

Service members who have survived combat and war zones often face challenges adapting back to everyday life. Many military veterans suffer from paralyzing effects from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One special group in Charlottesville is helping to change lives one canine at a time. SDV starts training puppies and then places the dogs with those […]

K9s For Warriors

October 1, 2020

K9s for Warriors was founded in 2011 to provide service dogs to disabled American veterans. The dogs who are paired with veterans are meant to help them overcome PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and/or military sexual trauma. Since 2011, K9s for Warriors has rescued over 1,000 dogs and has had over 630 graduates of their 3-week […]

Service Dogs Support

October 1, 2020

People like John Dugas know how life-changing service dogs can be. Dugas, a St. Albert resident and the chairman of Courageous Companions, uses his own service dog, Bailey, to help him with mobility assistance and symptoms of PTSD. Dugas is also a 30-year veteran who served as a combat engineer. Eventually, Dugas’ work life weighed […]

Guide Dog Puppies

October 1, 2020

Two adorable Labrador puppies have been named Bonnie and Henry in a tribute to BC’s provincial health officer. BC & Alberta Guide Dogs said staff chose the names because Dr. Bonnie Henry embodies qualities they think the dogs should have. “Dr. Henry has been a wonderful presence of calm and guidance through the COVID-19 pandemic, […]

Ember The Therapy Dog

October 1, 2020

There’s a new staff member walking the halls at Whitmer High School. Her name is Ember and she is a purebred black lab from the Assistance Canine Training Services in New Hampshire. Her assignment: to calm anxieties and spread cheer at the Toledo school. “She was raised in a school so she is extremely familiar […]

Therapy Dogs Helping Staff

September 30, 2020

Dogs in the classroom are more than welcome in Alta-Aurelia schools, especially now in the age of COVID. Just a short time into the school year, students and staff already consider the four therapy dogs in school as family members and know them by name – Milo and Liberty in Aurelia, and Skye and Goldie […]

Molly The Therapy Dog

September 30, 2020

At Kempsey East Public School there’s a four-legged friend helping to support students throughout their school day. Molly the therapy dog can be found walking the school grounds during play and class time with her owner, principal Penny Chow. “In our personal best room, Molly enjoys relaxing, chewing her toys, listening to a story and […]

Therapy Dog Program

September 30, 2020

The St. Joseph School District received on Tuesday a grant to support a therapy dog program for local students. The local Rotary International district, which is composed of three clubs, presented the grant valued at just under $2,500 to support the Behavior Animals Rescuing Kids (BARK) program focused at Coleman Elementary and Mark Twain School. […]

Pet Therapy

September 30, 2020

For millions around the world, life during this pandemic has become the “emotional strain of the century.” Regardless of how we discern our level of stamina, mental fortitude or faith, the demonstrative toll these past months have truly exposed everyone’s frailty — at least once. Having a pet in your home brings a certain level […]