Pops The ESA

I’m here at Beagle Island Park nearly every day, in hopes of seeing my dog—well, I guess, technically, he isn’t my dog anymore. Actually, he was never really my dog; we simply walked as a pack of two when we both hit rough patches in our lives. I’d wake up under a smoke shop’s eaves to his soft snoring in my face. He had the same color eyes as my pops; Pop always said he’d come back as a dog, so I figured, why not? Weirder things have happened.

I park my cart just outside the chain-link fence and sit beneath a densely branched fig tree. I just watch and listen. Those of us who live in the margins of society are basically invisible, so people never worry about what they do or say in front of us. The only time I was ever seen was when Pops was with me—and the watchers were always under the age of six.

Blades of grass glistening with dew leave little droplets of moisture on the noses of curious Terriers and a yellow Lab. The Germans—Shepherd, Rottweiler and Boxer—scent the parameters of the park, drawing clear territorial boundaries while their humans sip steaming cups of coffee.

This is a strange place, one where cars and canines are markers of status. The men pull up in either sleek, elongated SUVs or high-performance, testosterone-fueled sports cars. The women wear gaudy, blinged-out sun visors and love to boast about their canines’ impressive lineages.

I’d heard one woman, Ms. Worry Wart, tell another woman that she was able to trace her Pug’s ancestors back to the infamous Pug of Empress Josephine, who’d supposedly bitten Napoleon on their wedding night. Ms. Worry Wart always dressed her pug according to the seasons. In cooler weather, the dog came with a raincoat and galoshes; in the warmer months, Ms. Worry Wart followed her dog around the park with an umbrella, a small battery-operated fan and a water bottle!

I look over at the area I’d nicknamed “the Red-Light District” to see who Mel, an AKC-registered Great Pyrenees, is romancing these days. Two rows of trees had been planted so close together that their branches formed an archway. Anyone over five feet tall (i.e., most adults) have to duck to keep from getting slapped in the face by them. This area had been the site of more than a few trysts that resulted in litters of mixed-breed puppies or a hush-hush abortion before the upcoming photo shoot for Boise’s Bowwow Calendar.

This occurs despite the city-wide ban on intact dogs visiting the park. However, the ban ceased to exist when a pack of show-dog owners sued the city for discrimination and won their suit. Now, the city urges guardians to use “common sense.” They posted a disclaimer on the entrance gate that says the city will not be financially liable if “unwanted pregnancies” occur. Cracks me up every time.

Mel is notorious for his baritone bark and lightning-fast movements. His owners, Mama-Sees-No-Poop, and her husband, Dogs’ll-Be-Dogs-Dude, are not park favorites. When Mel assumed the inchworm-scrunch position, Mama-Sees-No-Poop usually began digging in her bag for something—anything that would keep her from seeing the giant tootsie rolls snaking out of her dog’s massive ass. Then Mel, feeling a little lighter, would gleefully kick up chunks of mud and grass with his hind legs while locking in on some poor little bitch who was just there to chase a few balls.

Today, it’s Jinxy, an agile Australian Shepherd who is not a fan of Mel’s rape-and-flee maneuver. When Mel mounts the Aussie, her hackles come up and she bares her teeth. We all hear the menacing snarls. Jinxy’s owner yells for Mel’s owners to restrain him—that’s when Dogs’ll-Be-Dogs-Dude shouts that the dogs are just playing; then, like the town crier, he tells everyone that Mel’s premium sperm fetches a pretty penny and Jinxy should be so lucky! He brags that Mel is an AKC Grand Champion. Apparently, he’s been a BOS, BOB and now finally a BIS. He had scored five points in his Division 9 last spring.

I don’t know what any of that means, but I also don’t care to know—and I suspect no else does either.

It doesn’t look like I’m going to see Pops today. I tug on the cart’s handle and it won’t budge. The left front wheel had been swallowed by a patch of mud. As I kneel down to dig it out, I hear that familiar bark. I turn around and there he is.

It hadn’t been that long since I’d seen him, but he already seemed different; a little more food and a little less exercise looks pretty good on him. Pops had always been an adventurous sort, never wanting to stay in one place for too long, but apparently, he no longer has those itchy feet. He’d collected more stories in his few years than most people do in a lifetime. He was enthusiastically greeted by the locals as if he was a celebrity. I had to laugh. People only see what they want to see.

I wondered if Pops remembered when we’d last communed together.

Officer Engel gently kicked my foot with his boot—unlike most of the other police officers, who kicked me like I was a piece of garbage with a contagion they didn’t want to catch. I hadn’t opened an eye until I’d heard Pop’s growling.

“Jesús, you’ve gotta get movin’, man.”

I wiped the crust from the corners of my eyes and sat up.

“It’s cold out here. There’s a church two blocks up. I asked them to keep a plate warm for you. If you head up there now, you’ll make it before they close.”

“They don’t allow me to bring Pops in, so you know, I can’t go.”

“That’s another thing I need to talk to you about. You know our county passed a breed-specific legislation ordinance that bans the owning of Pit Bulls.”

I countered, “Officer Engel, you might want to get your eyes checked. Pops here is a Labradoodle. Smell his feet—they smell just like corn chips, which is how I know he’s a Labradoodle.”

He laughed.

“Besides, no one owns Pops here. He’s his own man.”

Officer Engel then reached into his front pocket and pulled out something that looked like beef jerky and fed it to Pops. “I’m sorry about this, Jesús, I really am, but they’re going to be cracking down hard. And street dogs will be the first ones to get picked up.”

“Then what’re ya gonna do—go house-to-house like some kind of gestapo?”

“I suspect not, but what I do know is that Animal Control will be patrolling these parts by week’s end. I can drop Pops off at the shelter for you. Give him a chance.”

“The chance of slim or none? No thanks!”

“Then find him a home—a real home.”

“I’ll get right on it.”

And I actually did. I knew exactly who needed Pops. There used to be a couple—Mr. Bitrot and Ms. Kind Eyes; he was in tech and dressed like his mother still laid out his clothes for him, she was a lawyer for PETA. They had a dog, Homer, who looked like Pop’s twin. They lived in the neighborhood and often walked to the park with Homer during weekday lunch breaks and weekend mornings. Now, it was only Ms. Kind Eyes. Apparently, Mr. Bitrot moved across the country for a new job, took the dog but left her. Ms. Kind Eyes, clearly broken-hearted, still came to the dog park.

I followed Ms. Kind Eyes home that day—but not in a creepy way. I tied Pop’s rope collar to her front door knob. I rang her bell and then hid behind her duplex’s overgrown oleander bush. (I’d left my cart at the park and just hoped it’d still be there when I got back.)

When she opened the door, she startled. I wondered if, for a split second, she thought her dog and beau were back. She then untied him and read the note I had tucked under his collar: You’re better off without him. I will never leave you. If anyone asks, I’m a Labradoodle. And an emotional support dog. I could see she was moved by my gesture. She invited Pops into her house, and that was that.

Now, I watch them walk into the dog park. Pops looks over at me and wags his tail but doesn’t try to come toward me. I understand. He has a new home and a new partner.

I look at the angle of the sun in the sky. If I leave now, I can probably make it in time for lunch at the church.

Bark And Baths

Bark ‘n’ Baths in Springtown Industrial Estate has been opened up by Garaidh Tomas and Aaron Griffiths and features four dog washing stations equipped with a professional shower and dryer and specially formulated shampoos and conditioners.

Garaidh said the idea came about after many dog owners had to start washing their own pets during lockdown. “All the dog groomers had to close but they were sharing videos online to show people how to wash and brush their dogs coat themselves,” said Mr Griffiths.

“People had no choice but to do it for themselves, but they were bent over their bath and giving themselves a bad back. Then they had to chase a wet dog around the house to try and dry them before they got that wet dog smell, and after all that they had to spend another half an hour cleaning their bath so it could be used by the rest of the family again.” Mr Griffiths hit on the idea of opening a self service dog washing salon, after numerous chats with his brother over lockdown.

Perfect Surviving Pooch

BRITAIN’S Got Talent sensation Amanda Leask has revealed how her rescue dog Miracle has now become a global superstar.

The 50-year-old mum from Inverness sailed into this weekend’s semi-final with her adorable pooch after making head judge Simon Cowell cry.

But she’s revealed Miracle – who was saved from slaughter in a Thai meat market – has touched the hearts of well-wishers far beyond these shores.

She says: “I recently did an interview with a journalist on the other side of the world who’d watched our performance.

“Our story was timed to go out when the horrific Yulin Festival takes place – our story reached approximately 53 million.”

The gruesome Yulin Festival is held every year in China where festival goers eat dog meat with lychees.

And Amanda’s glad BGT has allowed her to turn the spotlight on the grim trade in canines in the Far East.

She adds: “Raising awareness is so important because it’s so surprising so many people are still unaware.

“BGT has been the most amazing platform to highlight the dog meat trade and shown such compassion to help us get this message out there to the masses.

“Ignorance is not bliss, it means the suffering continues. “But the response to our performance has been amazing. So many people reaching out to enquire how they can go about adopting and who to support? Who to donate funds to?”

However this weekend both owner and pet will be focused solely on making the final after leaving panellists David Walliams and Alesha Dixon spellbound with a card trick.

Amanda, who lives in Inverness with champion sled dog racer husband Tobias, 44, and Kyle, 11, who has cerebral palsy and autism, says: “To reach the final is an absolute dream.

“I’m so incredibly proud of my son, of Miracle, and all my animals who’ve all endured so much. So, the final would change lives all-round.

“What we can certainly promise is an emotional performance and something BGT viewers have never seen before.”

Amanda insists life hasn’t changed for her family and their menagerie of animals back home in Scotland, despite their newfound fame.

She says: “For Miracle, life’s more or less the same. Given we’re in the countryside surrounded by fields and nature the local wildlife is all we bump into.

“The birds, deer, badgers and foxes have given him the nod of approval. He’s generally just happy going about life as normal being with his little human Kyle, us and the rest of his pack.

“Although he does get excited when he sees me pack his bow tie collars. He realises we have a trip and it’s his time to shine and be superman on stage.

“He loves the spotlight and adoration I’m sure of it. He knows and feels he has a purpose and that’s important for any dog.”

But Amanda admits she already feels like a winner by highlighting a cause so dear to her heart. She says: “If I can do this and strive to make change, others can do as I’ve done.

“Or they can find a way they’re comfortable with whether it be adoption, fundraising, fostering, or sharing posts on social media.

“Just sharing a post takes seconds but can lead an animal to their future home. Social media is powerful and brought not only Miracle, but all my rescues home.

“He’s now known as ‘The dog who refused to die.’ He blossomed over time and now gives hope to those who fight against this horrific trade that simply has to stop.

“Miracle is such a compassionate little soul bringing comfort and emotional support to my son. Neither have a voice, but they have mine.”

She adds: “But who would ever have thought a little dog who was traded to be someone’s food and whose life was considered to be worth nothing could have one of the biggest platforms possible.

“Miracle is raising awareness through his suffering and reaching the eyes and ears of people worldwide has the power to change lives.”

New Dog Park

Expect more bark at Bayonet Farm, as in ‘dog bark’! A new dog park was approved by the Township Committee on Tuesday of this week. The inspiration behind the project is Holmdel’s beloved Alex Ching, a highly respected young man, who bravely battled pediatric cancer from the age of 7. Ching sadly succumbed to the illness at age 24. This month is pediatric cancer awareness month, making the approval of the memorial timely. According to Ching’s family he found great joy in visiting dog parks. Alex Ching’s joy for life will continue to be shared, as countless happy memories will be made in a park he inspired.

The fenced dog park is set to be built on the farm formerly owned by Laura Harding. Harding was a gracious donor of property to Holmdel years ago. It will be called ‘Alex’s Paw Park’ and was inspired by the family of the late Alexander Ching.

The project is said to be fully funded through private donations, fundraisers and volunteers.

According to the Township Administrator Cherron Roundtree. “The location is near the existing gravel parking area in front of the two barns closer to the road side. The family that has proposed the park has raised a significant amount of money. Believe it or not things as simple as double fencing get into the tens of thousands of dollars – they are also seeking some physical donations.” said Roundtree. “Even the fill (dirt) on the ground cost significant money so all the amenities are not outlined but it will start with the basics such as providing water, having the fenced in areas, getting the dog bags to clean up after your dog and as they raise additional funds there will be additional amenities that fit within the nature of the park. They looked at big tree trunks that the dogs can jump on.” said Roundtree.

According to the resolution, in November 2019, the family of the late Alexander Ching (see more info below about Alex) approached the Township with the request to pay tribute to Alex’s memory by constructing a dog park in Holmdel Township. The Township gave preliminary approval to have the dog park built at Bayonet Farms located at 41 Middletown Road, and the Ching family has provided the Township with conceptual plans. The Township Administrator and Township Director of Infrastructure were directed to plan the park accordingly and the Township Committee ‘extended their condolences to the Ching family for their loss and gratitude for their generous and thoughtful donation.’Alex pictured below loved dogs. As a child fighting cancer he found joy in the therapy dogs, and he had a family dog growing up. When he was living and working in NYC, he was often too sick to take on the responsibility of having his own dog, but he loved to visit the dog parks in NYC. The picture below is of Alex visiting the dog park in NYC to enjoy watching the dogs who visited.

Coco Helping Out

Coco the therapy dog has only been on the job for a few months, but her effect on the Delaware County Emergency Communications 911 Center can already be felt, according to county officials.

Coco is a Catahoula leopard dog who started working as a therapy dog for the county in May. Her handler, 911 dispatcher Karla Jacobs, said Coco will primarily work with first responders in the county to provide emotional support.

According to her page on Delaware County’s website, Coco will “attend any crisis intervention/peer support team callouts, fire department open houses, safety towns, fire/EMS/police departments to visit or when needed after an incident, other 911 centers, county offices/buildings, sheriff’s department appearances, other outreach opportunities, and to the 911 Center with the dispatchers.”

Jacobs said Coco was rescued by Come Sit Stay Kennel, and the kennel believed that Coco had the right demeanor for the job.

According to Jacobs, just having Coco around in the 911 center is a benefit.

“Her strong suit at this point is just being a distraction for the first responders and dispatchers,” Jacobs said. “She can sense when people are in a bad call or are stressed, and she’ll go over. Just her presence in the room and being around the first responders brings a different aura to the environment.”

Jacobs said Coco has already responded to two emergency callouts and has helped relax everyone involved.

“Just the presence of a dog takes your mind off of what is currently happening,” she said.

Patrick Brandt, director of Delaware County Emergency Communications, said Coco is “doing very well” in her role with the county, and she can be very useful at debriefings of crisis situations where people may have difficulty talking about what happened.

“A lot of people don’t know what to say or how to express themselves, but she’s a good intro to that,” Brandt said. “They can talk about the dog and their own pets, and open up a little bit.”

Brandt added he’s not aware of any other dispatch centers who have a dog on staff, and Coco is paid for entirely by donations.

Barkley And Bella

LebTown is featuring a different Lebanon County pet each Friday to help us enter the weekend with the best vibes possible.

This week’s pets are Barkley and Bella, the fur kids of Todd and Diane Dellinger.

Barkley and Bella are both longcoat American Akita’s. “They love to hike and meet new people,” said Diane in the nomination email to LebTown. “They love to travel and have been to New Orleans, Nashville, Buffalo, Canada and many other places.”

Barkley and Bella draw a crowd wherever they go, but these pups are up for the publicity. Barkley and Diane are a therapy dog team with Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services, more commonly known as KPets. “Barkley has met thousands of people in his life,” said Diane. “He does visits at colleges and high schools as well as many other places. He also does visits with clients at SARCC in Lebanon.”

Bella is a rescue from Southern Akita Rescue Alliance. “She was found as a stray in Memphis Tennessee,” said Diane. “She had a rough beginning in life, but is now very spoiled.”

Breath Of Fresh Air

The outdoors have provided a much needed escape for one student and her service dog.

The life of Emily Miller, a junior at Morehead State University, hasn’t been affected greatly by COVID-19, however, her service dog, Blue, has had her training disrupted.

“I was very lucky in that she had already passed the major socialization period with my trainer,” she said. “But it was very important that she get socialized and get public access under her belt.”

Much of her task training took place at home, while her public access training had to be put on hold because of COVID-19.

Blue is psychiatric and mobility trained service dog whose ask training assists Miller with issues she has throughout the day.

“Some days I have impaired mobility and can’t walk around,” said Miller, a biology major. “She can retrieve items, turn on and off lights and push buttons. She’s also psychiatric, so if I have a panic attack or a flashback or psychotic episode, she can help me with that.”

Despite her halted public access training, Blue is still able to enjoy open spaces such as Eagle Lake. Miller’s daily routine alternates between outside time with Blue and working on coursework.

The time spent outside makes their training sessions run smoother. According to Miller being outside is much better than being stuck indoors all day, especially if you are sensitive to the effects of isolation. Even if you are not interacting with anyone, it’s good to just enjoy the outdoors for a while.

“Going outside is literally a breath of fresh air,” said Miller. “It’s really nice just to be out and see things that are growing that aren’t affected by COVID.”

Paws For Purple Hearts

Lighting Distinctions, a well-known San Diego specialty lighting company, announced that they have recently finished a lighting project for the local Paws For Purple Hearts facility in Penngrove, CA. Paws for Purple Hearts is a dedicated team of service dog trainers that provide these incredibly dedicated and smart animals to veterans who have been wounded in combat to help them recover. With the high demand for these therapy dogs, the facility needed to be able to extend their training hours, but they had no capacity to do so at night because they lacked proper outdoor lighting. In stepped Lighting Distinctions with a well-designed solution. Best of all, they donated their services for the entire project.

Joel Barnett, the owner of Lighting Distinctions, says, “Every once in a while, a business will come upon a project that they feel is very close to their heart. That is 100% the case with the recent Paws for Purple Hearts lighting project that we just completed. Others and I at our company felt so strongly about the good that this facility does, we wanted to help them achieve their dog training quota in any way possible. With the outdoor lighting solution that we created for them, they can now train these amazing animals during both the day and evening hours. Now more of our cherished veterans that have been wounded in combat can always benefit from having a dedicated furry friend with them. We were extremely honored to donate our services and get them lit up!”

The company owner went on to say that the project was not without its challenges. They had to do such things as carefully consider what type of lights to use, how many lights were needed to do the job, and the placement of the lights to help create the proper nighttime dog training atmosphere. He stated among the biggest challenges they faced on the project was the fact the building was only being rented by the organization. This necessitated that they did not damage the structure of the building. Barnett added that both those at Paws for Purple Hearts and his professional lighting crew were very happy with the way that the project turned out. He said this is evidence that even a “simple” lighting project has a better result from careful thought and planning that’s gained through our team having so much expertise in the outdoor lighting field.

A spokesperson for Paws for Purple Hearts said, “THANK YOU! We love our new lighting and are so grateful for your support.” The spokesperson added that they will now be able to help even more veterans on their road to recovery with their canine-assisted warrior therapy program.

This indoor and outdoor lighting company is also very highly rated by those that have used their services. Mitch Adler stated, “Wow, Lighting Distinctions handled everything from A to Z! Our home looks simply gorgeous! Joel and his team knew where to place the lights to get the desired effect and what they created made our home look like a grand showcase! They were a delight to work with. We could not be happier!” This is one of 26 reviews found on their Google Maps Listing and all of them rate the company 5 out of a possible 5-stars.

Guide Dogs Trainers

The coronavirus has no boundaries and has the potential to sideline the guide dog business that transforms the lives of those visually impaired and blind.

When the virus spread uncontrollably across the country in March, Sylmar-based Guide Dogs of America carefully moved forward with a plan to secure its future against the possibility of shutting down leaving a void of available service dogs.

“If we were to shut down, we’d see the effect of that in two years when there wouldn’t be enough of-age, highly trained guide dogs for people who are blind or visually impaired,” said Puppy Program Coordinator Stephanie Colman. “There wouldn’t be any breeding, no training.”

When the pandemic first brought the state to its knees and stay-at-home orders were enacted, Guide Dogs of America had a nursery full of puppies and several dogs due to give birth. It was impossible to shut down.

“We made changes to the campus environment to enact physical distancing and put several health and safety measures in place,” Colman said. “We also quickly figured out how to pivot from in-person puppy training classes where our volunteer puppy raisers learn how to teach the pups in their care the skills they’re expected to learn in puppyhood to Zoom-based learning. We also turned out puppy pick-up process into a curbside drive-thru affair, passing puppies through car windows like Happy Meals.”

A majority of the guide dogs are Labradors followed by a Labrador/golden retriever mix breed and German shepherds.

Labradors are mainly used because they are adaptable. They have a willingness to work for food and are flexible given the variety of people they live with over the years.

“They love the one they are with, so they handle that transition very well,” Colman said.

It takes about two years and $60,000, at no cost to the blind person, to raise and train the dogs and their future owners. The organization is primarily funded by International Association of Machinists local across the country.

When a dog is about eight weeks old it is given to a puppy raiser.

Raisers teach them to be obedient in a variety of environments and follow commands.

“And most importantly, they are going to get that dog out into the world and incorporate the dog into every facet of their life so the dog learns to be civilized, calm and competent in all the different possible settings it might find itself in later once it is a guide dog with a world view,” Colman said.

Puppy raisers keep the dogs for a little more than a year before they return to Sylmar for an additional four to six months of training with professionals who teach them highly complex guide dog skills.

During months of coronavirus restrictions, the organization is experiencing an uptick in puppy raisers, but there are still chances for anyone interested in pursuing the job. A call for volunteers to raise puppies is in full force during September, national guide dog month.

The coronavirus outbreak has also presented challenges for puppy raisers as well as those who eventually receive a dog. Raisers haven’t been able to get the dogs out as much.

Those outdoor training sessions are an important part of the puppies’ socialization and exposes them to many situations they may encounter later in life as working guide dogs.

Dogs are matched with their partners throughout the United States and Canada.

Before COVID-19, qualified clients stayed at the 7.5-acre Sylmar campus to learn about how to team up with their dogs during a three-week, in-residence program. Those vitally important classes have been cancelled.

And while post-coronavirus days can translate into more isolation for the dogs and their owners, one skill harnessed guide dogs don’t learn is how to keep socially distanced while working outside in their communities.

The ability to judge 6 feet for the dog is impossible and is especially challenging for their blind owner.

“Please if you see someone with a guide dog or anyone with a disability walking down the sidewalk, don’t make the decision for them that they are not going to get 6 feet between you,” said Lorri Bernson, a blind spokeswoman for Guide Dogs of America. “Please make the decision for them by taking yourself and moving around because many times I can hear someone coming down the sidewalk and I can tell the sound isn’t moving around me but it’s still coming at me. Unfortunately, I don’t have the ability to go off the curb (quickly) and take the direction on my own to get away to make that 6-foot barrier.”

Bernson, 58, is teamed up with her third guide dog, Captain, a happy-go-lucky 2-year-old yellow Labrador.

She has been visually impaired for 25 years due to complications with diabetes and admits to feeling isolated the past six months in her Encino home especially since she is working from home.

“(The isolation) is a little more elevated because of not being with others and I miss being out there with Captain,” Bernson said. “Many people with guide dogs will say their dog is the bridge to their social (interactions) and can be the magnet that draws a stranger into a conversation that otherwise might not have happened. Captain and I are a team; we go everywhere together. I trust him with both of our lives in his paws. I trust him more than myself because he has all of his senses and I know his role. He’s selected to be that dog, the dog that takes the challenge on and is going to succeed. In training, we give them many opportunities to show us that this isn’t their thing.”

Not all of the 150 puppies born and bred annually in Sylmar go on to be guide dogs. Guide dog work is complex and not the right job for every dog. About 60 are eventually matched with blind clients.

There are many reasons some dogs don’t make the elite job of being a guide dog including hip, eye, elbow and medical reasons. Those dogs that don’t make it may become other types of service dogs and could be paired up with a veteran with post traumatic syndrome or someone with autism for example.

If the dog is not eligible to be a service dog of any capacity, then the volunteer puppy raiser has a chance at adoption.

Pam English of Santa Clarita and her family are puppy raisers and on dog No. 33.

She and husband are area leaders for 46 puppy raisers in a cohesive group that stretches from east Simi Valley to Burbank and out to the Antelope Valley.

The Englishes were first introduced to guide dogs when their oldest daughter was earning a Brownie troop merit badge called “Walk a Mile in Another Girl’s Shoes” based on disabilities and learned about the Sylmar guide dog school. The discovery transpired when a children’s story hour at the local library had a few volunteers with guide dog puppies talking about puppy raising.

“They were putting out the plea for puppy raisers … so we went to a graduation and the girls in the troop had made treats for the dogs and we passed those out at graduation when the president did a plea for puppy raising and 16 little Brownies looked up at me and said, ‘Can we get a puppy?’” English said.

English acknowledges it can be hard for some puppy raisers to relinquish their puppy when it’s time for more formal guide dog training. But her family vowed they were in the puppy-raising business to help others, a commitment they never forgot or broke.

“Of course, the perk for us we get to work with animals and the dogs,” English said. “When you are committed to something … it starts to become a passion and we see that in a lot of our puppy raisers that they are very passionate about the puppy raising. It builds such a community. We know what our end goal is and that is to help someone who needs to have that dog for independence in their lives, so seeing that and meeting the graduates through the years that only solidifies and makes that even more meaningful of what we are doing.”

Service Dog Plates

Tennesseans who love dogs, want to support wounded veterans, and would like to sport an inspiring specialty license plate on their vehicle can order a Smoky Mountain Service Dogs plate while they are pre-selling 1,000 specialty plates.

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD), located in East Tennessee, trains mobility assistance service dogs for veterans with service-connected physical and psychological disabilities. The nonprofit has helped veterans, such as retired U.S. Army First Sgt. Charles Stewart, regain their lives. Stewart served 26 years and participated in 7 combat tours. He is a 100% Veterans Affairs disabled veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs trained and provided Sadie, a Labrador Retriever, for Stewart.

“Sadie gives me confidence and the ability to be more mobile through her mobility assistance and calms me during my PTSD episodes,” Stewart said. “I find myself having structure back in my life just being with her 24 hours a day. My family has seen the change in me as my wife has commented that I show sides of me before I was ever in the service.

“I am truly blessed to have gone through this experience with Smoky Mountain Service Dogs.”

The nonprofit is an all-volunteer organization except for professional trainers so 95 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the organization’s mission. It costs approximately $25,000 to train one mobility assistance service dog, which the organization places with a veteran at no cost to the veteran.

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs relies on grants, donations, and fundraisers for operating expenses, and SMSD is accredited by Assistance Dogs International as the only accredited service dog organization located in Tennessee.

Suzy Kitchens, co-founder of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs said, “To see the loving bond that develops between a veteran and his or her beloved service dog is extremely gratifying. With a service dog by their side, veterans’ lives and their families and communities are changed forever because the veteran can finally acclimate back into society after experiencing what most of Americans will never truly understand.

“These magnificent, highly trained mobility assistance service dogs are the hands and feet of their recipients and provide unconditional love and support. Please help us to continue to serve wounded veterans by taking Smoky Mountain Service Dogs on the road with you by purchasing one of these beautiful specialty plates.”