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We are back with another edition of The Paw Print! Read on for all the updates from the last few months about Hero Dogs programs, events, and more. As always, thank you for your support of our work! |
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Facility dogs assist people in ways distinct from other types of working dogs. In partnership with a trained handler employed by the facility, they work full-time with staff to achieve specific treatment or program goals through animal-assisted therapy.
Katie Kuhn, MA, LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in private practice in Towson. In her practice, Katie works with children, adolescents, and their families, to address a wide range of behavioral difficulties.
With her handler Katie, Holly works to help clients feel safe and secure while working through difficult issues and motivating clients to achieve therapeutic goals. Some of the ways Holly supports clients include:
- greets clients in the waiting room;
- acts as a loving and grounding companion during difficult sessions;
- facilitates conversation and trust-building by playing board and card games with clients; and
- comforting each child and teenage client through their sessions.
Handler Katie talks about the impact Holly has on her therapy practice: "Holly is available at every session for comfort and compassion. She is part of all mental health therapy and in some cases is the reason why clients will come in to see me or feel more comfortable doing so." She adds that "children feel the helpful and healing nature of her sweet personality and loving interactions."
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to keep up with her work!
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Congratulations to our
2023 Hero Dogs Graduates!
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We are so proud of the 18 amazing and hardworking Hero Dogs teams who recently graduated at our October 7th ceremony. We want to extend our gratitude to everyone who attended and also to all those who had an impact on the following graduates' journeys. |
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Service Dogs
Hero Dogs Anita
Hero Dogs Dempsey
Hero Dogs Derby
Hero Dogs Fiona
Hero Dogs George
Hero Dogs Hoagie
Hero Dogs Norm
Skilled Home Companions
Hero Dogs Jesse
Hero Dogs Monty
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Facility Dogs
Hero Dogs Alfie
Hero Dogs Fred
Hero Dogs Holly
Hero Dogs Max
Hero Dogs Moo
Hero Dogs Patty
Hero Dogs Skipper
Hero Dogs Sprout
Therapy Dog
Hero Dogs Sadie
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Congratulations to our Latest Placements! |
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Hero Dogs recently placed four service dogs with veterans! Could you or someone you know benefit from a Hero Dogs service dog? Visit our website to learn more about eligibility, the application process, and more.
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Hero Dogs Yansky has been partnered with veteran Shelby, a Staff Sergeant in the Army National Guard.
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Hero Dogs Minnie has been partnered with veteran John, a Major in the U.S. Marine Corps.
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Hero Dogs Cliff has been partnered with veteran Christopher, a Specialist in the U.S. Army.
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Hero Dogs love to get out in the community and explore new places! Thank you to our volunteers for attending events, for giving the dogs these training opportunities, and for representing Hero Dogs! |
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On 7/4, therapy dogs Hero Dogs Ashley and Sue represented Hero Dogs at Brew Belly's 4th of July Cheesesteak Eating Contest! Thanks you again to Brew Belly for selecting Hero Dogs as this year's charity recipient!
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We just love the annual Towson American Legion Post #22 "Legion Riders for Hero Dogs" fundraising event! Hero Dogs Ruth, Belle, and Skipper loved getting lots of love from Legion riders and friends while representing Hero Dogs on 7/8!
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Several Hero Dogs attended National Night Out events across the region on 8/1. They participated in the annual community-building campaign in Ocean City, Olney, and Washington, DC. Pictured is Hero Dogs Travis in Olney, Maryland.
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On 8/20, Hero Dogs Bill attended Pet Night on Capitol Hill, a reception co-hosted by The Human Animal Bond Research Institute, the Pet Food Institute, and the Pet Advocacy Network. Thank you to Mars Petcare for inviting us!
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Hero Dogs Cassie Retrieved the
"First Fetch" at Nationals Park!
Hero Dogs was invited to the Nationals’ last home game of the season on Sunday, September 24th, for a very special event!
Nationals catcher Drew Millas threw the ball for service dog in training Cassie and—after briefly getting the go ahead from handler and Executive Director Nikki—she nailed it! We’re so proud! Thank you to Pedigree and the Nationals for having us!
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Four New
Hero Dogs Puppies!
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Please help us welcome, from left to right, Hero Dogs PFC Bernard Harrison, USA, and Hero Dogs Cpl. Alyce Dixon, USA, who joined us in July. In September, we welcomed Hero Dogs Jody and Hero Dogs Scout. Bernie is sponsored by AirFacts, Alyce is sponsored by Barb Baumann and Mike Conrad, Jody is sponsored by Larry Jordan, and Scout is sponsored by TowerCares Foundation. Thank you to our sponsors!
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Three Hero Dogs Begin Advanced Training! |
Over the last three months, three Hero Dogs began the next chapter of their journeys to become assistance dogs—Advanced Training! Hero Dogs Huck, Poppy, and Tripp have all moved into the kennel and are diligently training at the Hero Dogs facility. Keep up with all of the dogs by following the Advanced Training account on Instagram.
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In September, Executive Director Nikki and Director of Dog Programs Becca spent 4 days in Croatia at Assistance Dogs International's annual conference. Nikki was a panelist along with other experts from Croatia, Belgium, Ireland, and the U.S. about participating in ADI's Breeding Cooperatives.
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In July we were excited to welcome our new Breeding Coordinator/ Puppy Trainer, Emily! Emily got her start in the assistance dog world when she became a puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind during college. She is now raising her 5th guide dog puppy for them! Learn more about Emily on our website.
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We are always on the look
out for Puppy Raisers!
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Interested in raising a future service dog?
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A Note from the UMD Canine Language Lab |
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Hero Dogs Travis participates in a study with UMD's Canine Language Perception Lab |
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"Hero Dogs have been wonderful collaborators and participants for studies conducted at the University of Maryland Canine Language Perception Lab! With the help of these dogs, the Canine Lab has been able to conduct a study comparing the recognition of words by service dogs as compared to pet dogs. Through this study, the lab hopes to get a better understanding of how experience listening in noisy environments, training, and cognitive factors help dogs succeed in performing commands in noisy, real-world environments. The Canine Lab always enjoys welcoming our Hero Dog friends and looks forward to many more visits!"
For more information about the lab, including how to enroll your dog in a study, please visit their website at dogs.umd.edu.
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