20 Moments of 2020

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Linzey

2020 will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most tragic and difficult years in modern history. Covid19 has taken 343,000 lives from the US alone. Thousands of people are at home, isolated while they wait for vaccines to be distributed. Many businesses and non-profits simply couldn’t survive. Here at PAD, donations decreased by more than 50%. But through the darkest times we were constantly reminded why our work is so utterly important.

Join us while we highlight 20 Remarkable Moments of 2020!

PAD Gracie, bred by PAD, was placed at Doe Run Elementary School as a Facility Dog
Project 2 Heal PAD Jasmine transferred from her Puppy Raiser to her partner Alex
PAD signed the lease on a 3,000 sq ft training center

PAD Skye transferred from her Puppy Raiser to her partner Joy
Sarah & PAD Mushu passed their Public Access Test
Rebecca was matched with her companion Sunshine
Project 2 Heal PAD Esther transferred from her Puppy Raiser to her partner, Jenny
PAD Jedi began his ESA partnership

PAD Confetti began her ESA partnership
PAD Ivy, was placed at Baron Elementary School as a Facility Dog
Emerson Dog PAD Kiah transferred from her Puppy Raiser to her partner Kathy
Tommy was matched with his future Hearing Dog Quest
PAD Vader transitioned from the Puppy Program to the Owner Training program
Stacy was matched with her Assistance Dog Owen

Will was matched with his Assistance Dog, Thea
Project 2 Heal PAD Apollo, was placed at Manheim Central Middle School as a Facility Dog
Claire received her assistance dog, Project 2 Heal PAD Honey
PAD got a vehicle!
Susan and PAD Jango were matched
Project 2 Heal PAD Valor began his ESA partnership

“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” –

Josiyah Martin

Donate today to change a life!

PAD On Wheels

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Linzey

DONATE HERE

Dear Supporters,

For the past ten years Phoenix Assistance Dogs of Central PA (PAD) has used Founder and Director Linzey Zoocola’s personal wheelchair accessible van for non-profit use. Having a wheelchair accessible van is critical to the success of the organization.

The organization is currently at a critical standstill because the 2009 Honda Odyssey is beyond repair. Without reliable transportation the organization cannot continue to safely transport puppies to raisers, temperament evaluations, veterinary appointments, trainings and breeding seminars and so much more.
We need your help!

Most people are unaware of the cost associated with wheelchair accessible vehicles. Insurance companies do not cover these needs and is left to the family and individual to pay for the modifications. Wheelchair accessible vehicles can cost anywhere from $30,000 – $100,000 due to the modifications needed.
Your donation is will help give someone the gift of true independence

As an individual who was never physically capable of independence before receiving an assistance dog, the honor of being the most critical component of PAD is one that I covet. Working with our partners with disabilities, teaching them to utilize their assistance dog, and helping them navigate this complicated world. Without a wheelchair accessible company car, I am unable to be the intricate piece of PAD. In the disability community there is an inherent trust and intimacy that comes from working with other disabled individuals.

“I feel passionately that the success of the partnership between canine and human is dependent upon the dedication of the partner themselves and their desire to live with an assistance dog. I am devoted to supporting my community.” – Director, Linzey Zoccola

We need your help! Since 2009, PAD has placed 43 assistance dogs with individuals and facilities across the United States

We depend on your support! Please take a moment NOW and make a donation, 100% of your donation is tax exempt and stays right here in your community!

Sincerely,

Linzey Zoccola

Click HERE to donate!

Dog Trainer on Wheels

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Linzey

Dog Trainer (Linzey Zoccola) on Wheels (living w/ Spinal Muscular Atrophy)

more info TBA

PAD’s Patriots 2019

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Linzey

We are proud to announce PAD’s Patriots – assistance dogs for the dedicated U.S. Military Veterans that live with disabilities. Whether the Veteran is living with a physical disability or PTSD, all of us at PAD are grateful for their service and want to give back by providing them with a highly trained assistance dog.

Disabled Veterans receive their PAD Patriot assistance dog for only $1,000 and are always placed at the top of the waiting list. Veterans who wish to train their own assistance dog also receive their monthly membership fees at 1/2 the cost. If you know of a veteran in need, feel free to direct them to our website.

PAD’s Patriots can be trained to:

Open/Close Doors
Enter a room & Turn on Lights
Locate Help
Search for & Guide to Exit
Search for & Guide to Vehicle
Retrieve Medication
Much, much more!

In addition, these services are now being offered at the discounted rate to any immediate family member living within the household of an active duty military member.

Isaac’s Community DAY Fundraiser!

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Linzey

On 3/12/18, 10:00 am – 9:00 p.m., Isaac’s Restaurant (Lititz location) will host a fundraiser to aid Phoenix Assistance Dogs of Central PA. Bring your family and friends to enjoy great food, while supporting PAD! Twenty-five percent (25%) of the total cost of your meal will go directly toward the the training and care of Phoenix Assistance Dogs’ in training! Each Assistance Dog costs $15,000 to train but PAD only charges the disabled partner $1,000! Help us by dining out!

Isaac’s Community Night Fundraiser

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Linzey

On 7/5/17, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., Isaac’s Restaurant (Lititz location) will host a fundraiser to aid Phoenix Assistance Dogs of Central PA. Bring your family and friends to enjoy great food, while supporting PAD! Twenty-five percent (25%) of the total cost of your meal will go directly toward the the training and care of Phoenix Assistance Dogs’ in training! Each Assistance Dog costs $20,000 to train but PAD only charges the disabled partner $1,000! Help us by dining out with the flier below:

PAD’s Breeding Coordinator

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Linzey

Sarah Rosenbaum began her assistance dog journey in 2014 at Paws4People Foundation as their Breeding and Puppy Development Advisor. She founded Emerson & Company in 2016 and is also a student at Bergin University of Canine Studies.

PAD’s Training Staff

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Linzey

Katie Watterson raised her first service dog puppy with UDS in 1999. She took various continuing education classes in dog behavior and training as well as her vast experience being a veterinary nurse from 1997-2016. Katie also taught puppy socialization and basic obedience classes from 2002-2010. Lastly, Katie has bred numerous litters and is the owner of Atlas, the stud to the Seaside Treasures!

<Jane Schappell raised 7 Seeing Eye puppies over about 9 years, then found clicker training. She was lucky enough to have well-known clicker trainer, Ali Brown, close by. She attended many of her various clicker classes with several dogs through which she had two of those dogs certified as Therapy Dogs. Her most recent training experience was raising/training PAD Marcus and she really enjoyed doing his advanced training. Jane also attended Clicker Expo in 2015.

2016 End of Year Donations

Posted on December 10, 2016 by Linzey

As 2016 comes to a close, many individuals are deciding who to make their end of the year donations to. All of us at Phoenix Assistance Dogs would be honored if you chose us for your donation. We are a small federal non-profit (27-1914137) and our mission is to locate and train puppies to become assistance dogs for individuals living with a broad range of disabilities, who are unable to train their own assistance dogs. Highly trained assistance dogs provide greater independence in the lives of those individuals living with disabilities. PAD also assists individuals in finding and training their own assistance dogs if they desire to train their own dog. In 2016 we had many wonderful placements we want to share with you!

Nick and ESA PAD Nantucket & Jonathon and ESA PAD Athena

Spring 2016 held two special Emotional Support Animal placements. PAD Nantucket and PAD Athena both work in home providing daily emotional support for their partners. Depression, anxiety, autism and other disabilities can lead someone to want the comfort and companionship of an Emotional Support Animal. PAD’s ESA’s are trained to <CGC standards or higher and provide constant emotional support in their partners home.

This summer PAD Marcus and PAD Fisher started their assistance dog partnerships with two young women. After their basic training, they completed Advanced Training where they perfected more than 30 cues and learned all of the necessary tasks they’d use to help their partners. Team Training began on August 1st for Leah and PAD Marcus and Charlotte and PAD Fisher. This intensive 15 day comprehensive training taught the teams to work together safely both at home and in public! At the end of Team Training both teams had to pass our Public Access Certification which they will retake to continue to ensure the teams effectiveness and safety!

Leah and PAD Marcus are back in Laguna Niguel, California and just attended a multi day <EDS conference together!

Charlotte and PAD Fisher

Your end of year donation will go directly towards our future placements and is fully tax deductible. We are 100% volunteer based and strive to keep costs very low for our teams. Raising 1 Assistance Dog costs PAD $15,000 but each partner only pays $1,000!

Monday is Cyber Monday Online Auction with 175+ items!

Posted on November 26, 2016 by Linzey

Kick Start Your Holiday Shopping!

This Monday is our annual Cyber Monday Online Auction with over 175 incredible items to bid on!

Join us online (www.facebook.com/padcentral) this Monday from 11am to 11pm to shop! Shopping is easy, simply post your bid with you email address as a comment on the photo! And 100% of proceeds benefit Phoenix Assistance Dogs of Central PA and are fully tax deductible!

We have incredible items from Burt’s Bees, Benebone, Starbucks, Troeg’s Brewery, and so much more!