We could not do this important work without you.
As 2023 comes to a close, we celebrate twelve new partnerships, eight facility dog internships pending partnership by year end, a new facility dog pilot program with Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) and 25 years of our transformative prison program. With the support of generous donors, committed volunteers, and partners like you we will continue to thrive in our mission to empower, educate and inspire individuals and communities through professional training and partnership of highly-skilled service oriented dogs. We greatly appreciate your consideration of Circle Tail in your year-end giving.

This year, we placed two successor dogs for individuals whose need for a dog continued once their dog passed. It costs approximately $25,000 to fully train and partner a service or hearing dog, which is provided at no cost to the individual. The follow-ups throughout the life of the team ensure that Circle Tail provides continued support, including the placement of successor dogs as needed.

We recently announced our pilot program with CPS. This year, Circle Tail placed Facility Dog, Dug, at Sands Montessori where his presence already impacts the school’s students and teachers. Circle Tail’s Facility Dogs have gone through at least a year of specialty training and provide physical, social, cognitive, or emotional assistance to community members in Greater Cincinnati.

2023 marks the 25th year for our Prison Program. During this time hundreds of incarcerated individuals’ lives have been transformed by finding purpose in training service dogs to help others. It is due to this program, along with our on-site trainers, our volunteers, and our foster families, that our teams see such success.

Circle Tail’s partners describe the impact our dogs make:
AMY & SUCCESSOR DOG AAVIN

Amy began her journey with Circle Tail in 2006 and was partnered this year with successor dog Aavin. Amy shared that “Aavin is learning well and mastering most tasks quickly. He is very loving and devoted to family; he knows our hectic schedules and he lets me know when he thinks I should slow my roll and rest. Aavin is my heart.”
SANDS MONTESSORI & FACILITY DOG DUG

Handler Tom shared that, “students go from angry, scared, or anxious to calm, lighter, available, present; the change has been phenomenal. Dug is bridging the gap, making students more comfortable and excited to be here. What we’re doing at Sands needs to be copied at every school in the district.” A student shared that he “gets her in the mindset to go back to school and really focus.”
PRISON PROGRAM

Incarcerated Individual Erica shared, “The Circle Tail program is absolutely essential to me. I love dogs, and partnering with them so they can grow to help others is so rewarding. There are so many women here who lack confidence and self-esteem, and I’ve seen firsthand how dog training has helped them grow to be self-confident. They and their dogs succeed together.”
Contributions from donors like you ensure Circle Tail continues to provide life-changing dogs to individuals and facilities who benefit from their skills and comforting abilities. Thank you in advance for your support of our mission; we could not do this important work without you.

From our Circle Tail family to you, may you enjoy the holiday season and look forward to the new year.
Find the latest news, events, and classes at circletail.org!