Spotlight: Beamer


PAD Beamer is a wonderful 16 week old rescued golden retriever puppy. He is in our owner training program, which means his partner, 17 year old Alexa Vath, is training him to become her very own Hearing Dog!  Alexa is doing a wonderful job training and socializing her puppy, and we’re very proud of all of the work she’s done! She goes above and beyond the call of duty not only attending our classes for his assistance dog training but also puppy kindergarten at her local PetSmart! PAD Beamer is growing fast, and is in need of the next size up harness very soon. He also is learning to walk nicely on a loose leash, but at certain times uses an easy walk harness, and on other occasions, even a head collar. This allows Alexa to continue training him on the rules of the leash, while still manage him during public outings and socialization. <Will you consider donating the cost of one of these very important items?¬†

In Training Harness w/ Patches: $35.00

Easy Walk Harness: $25.00

Head Collar: $38.00

PAD Kingsley

Breed: Cream Standard Poodle
Interests:
  • Snuggling
  • Flinging Fleece Tug Toys
  • Splashing About in the Pool
Favorite Treats:
Favorite Links:

Tabs for PAD

Tabs for PAD, a fundraising initiative to benefit Phoenix Assistance Dogs of Central PA, is a way for you to turn your aluminum trash into treasure. The Ephrata Recycling Center has collaborated with PAD to make a considerable dollar donation in exchange for aluminum. By collecting simply the tabs off of your cans or the entire can, then turning them over to PAD, PAD can yield donations towards the training and placement of service dogs for individuals living with disabilities.

At PAD, we run solely on a volunteer basis and 100% of our costs are covered by donations. It is estimated to cost approximately $15,000 to locate, raise and train one service dog. Each of our service dogs is placed nearly free of charge to the individual with a disability, as we only ask for a donation to be made when they receive their dog – of any amount they can afford. <Read more about the services we provide, or <about our dogs.

PAD is currently welcoming anyone within Lancaster County to participate in this fundraising effort. Individuals, clubs, groups and offices are encouraged to participate together to collect as many tabs or aluminum items as possible. Collections can either be dropped off at PAD (in Lititz, PA) or a pick up can be scheduled.

Please <contact us for more information!

PAD Milo Has His 1st Eye Test!

April 12th 2012 PAD Milo went to the Animal Eye Specialty Clinic of Palm Beach for a eye clearance exam. When we arrived the receptionist handed me drops to put in his eyes; I was a bit nervous putting the drops in but Milo was not scared and did not move. The drops were used to enlarge the pupils for the exam; because of this, his eyes were more sensitive to the light. We had to wait about 30 minutes for the drops to take effect. In the general waiting area there was an African Grey parrot who Milo showed no intrest in even when the bird said “hello” and “sit!”. There were a good number of other dogs coming in and leaving; Milo wanted to say “HI” to them and their owners but once he understood this was not play time he settled under the bench.

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I let him meet the staff, and he met a Doctor wearing a operation clothing, and a face mask–none of this scared Milo. After we went back to the exam room the Doctor came in monents later. Milo greeted him with puppy kisses of course! He did amazing during the eye exam, and wagged his tail the entire time!

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A big thank you to Shoshana Rappaport for this guest blog entry!

PAD Charming Charlie

 

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PAD Charming Charlie was donated to PAD by his breeder, Bad Company Labradoodles. Bad Company Labradoodles have been breeding Labradoodles since the early 90’s and have had many become therapy and service dogs with individual trainers and service dog programs. Charlie, now one old is a therapy dog at a private counseling practice.  He has been adopted by one of the dedicated therapists there and is doing wonderful in this career!  PAD Charlie is pictured [left] with Sarah Taby, his certified therapy handler.

 

Breed: Labradoodle
Interests:
  • Snuggling
  • Daily Routine
  • Eating
  • Playing “hide and seek” a game he gets to search for his trainer and earn treats when he finds her!
Favorite Treats:
  • Two Pups Pastries
  • Soup Bones
  • Mother Hubbard Treats
Favorite Links:

Boris Continues Advancing

So, Boris and I are out painting the town red the other night. In rural south Alabama, that translates into a trip to Wal-Mart, a video and a stop at the Pizza Hut on the way home.  I know, you’e jealous‚ can’t help it, can you? Anyway, it’s way past dark, we have unloaded at the Hut, and I have given Boris the command “find door”. As we are crossing the parking lot, he suddenly veers to the right and does the little half moon swag and then picks up his straight line toward the door. It’s one of those things that makes me go “hmmm” but I keep on going. When we leave the restaurant, we take the same path across the lot. Sure enough, about half-way across the lot, he suddenly veers left, does the half-moon jig and continues on. I have him stop and ask my husband to investigate. What he finds makes me smile. There is a small black plastic coffee cup lid in the middle of the parking lot, and that is the obstacle Boris is walking me around. To him, it must resemble a hole  and my boy is going to keep me safe! Boris is trained to do “light” guide work ‚ that is,  he has been taught to guide me around large obstacles, alert me to elevation changes and find things like doorways, specified rooms, buildings or people‚ but this is the first time I have seen him apply his training to a new scenario such as this. As we continue to work together, my trust and confidence in him will grow and our already strong bond will deepen. I am so grateful that God gives us “not the things we want, but always the things we need.” – Rachael Gibbs Taylor, PAD Boris’s owner, trainer, and partner