June 2022 Newsletter

Message from the Executive Director

Happy Summer! A reminder that our next training class series is scheduled to begin July 9, 2022!! We still have a few spaces available. If this class fills up, we will open up a second one to accommodate any additional applicants. The application packet and instructions are posted on the website under “Apply for a Dog.”

Thanks to support from Hills’ Pet Nutrition, Zoetis Petcare, and Midwestern University incentives will be provided to students for the duration of this new class series that include:

* free Hill’s dog food

* basic veterinary care

* flea, tick, and deworming medications

See the application information for details. We’re looking forward to having you join us.

Please contact us with any questions at info@servicedogsupport.org or by phone at 623-200-9762.

Wellness Tips

Fire, hurricane and monsoon seasons have arrived. This month we provide some practical tips to keep your animals safe.

Scan all veterinary records to your Drive or Cloud, so that they are available remotely; if you must be evacuated to a shelter proof of vaccination for your SD will be required and you must be able to retrieve these documents with ease.

Prepare an emergency evacuation bag for your animal(s) and keep a list of those items that must be packed at the last minute, so that you do not forget anything important:

Enough food for at least a week to 10 days
Any prescription or routine preventive medications (ie: flea/tick and heartworm treatments)
Food and water bowls
Bedding
Working booties, your vest / ID badge and harness (if applicable)
A comfort object, such as a favorite toy
A properly fitted life vest if you are in an area prone to storm surge

Update your family emergency evacuation plan as needed, and ensure that your current plan includes your 4-legged family members. Designate a meet-up place in the event that your family is separated. Rehearse your plan with family.

Classroom News

Lindsey/Shannon & Bailey- this team is continuing to work on their service skills and obedience in different environments and also inside the household. Bailey went to the museum for the first time and did really well with listening to all the commands Lindsey was giving her. Lindsey also took another trip to an Arcade to help Bailey get exposure to kids playing, crowds of people, different sounds of the machines etc… This coming month we will be at work with getting Bailey desensitized to seeing unfamiliar dogs in public and working on what her expectations are when in these situations.

Sharon/Tom & Ruby- this team is continuing to generalize their obedience inside and outside of the home. Ruby took her first trip to Goodwill and did great with her obedience as far as sit, down and leave-its! She was doing well walking next to Tom with his walker at heel side and stayed in position without trying to pull. Ruby also did very well with walking past a crowd of people and not trying to sniff. Ruby is now 6 months old and this month will be getting Ruby ready to pass her AKC S.T.A.R puppy test!