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’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.

Team Training 2016!

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Linzey

Now, PAD Marcus (Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever cross bred by PAD) and PAD Fisher (Labradoodle, bred and donated by breeder Goode Life Poodles) are preparing for their forever partners! They are both matched with young women in manual wheelchairs, who will begin Team Training on August 1st, 2016!

<They will spend the next 4 months in Advanced Training, mastering tasks such as: retrieving items, opening doors, pulling manual wheelchairs, bracing transfers and so much more. We are working hard every day to train these tasks, including tasks in their required, specialized mobility harnesses <http://boldleaddesigns.com/shop/mobility-support-harness-for-brace-and-balance-stability-assistance/ and must learn to work in these incredible harnesses. No other harness is made with the canine body in mind!

<Additional costs are retrieving items, training treats, training outings, and most costly – Team Training! Each partner receives a placement kit with dog food, monthly preventative medications, grooming gear, and leashes, treat bag, toys, and SO much more!

We have applied for numerous grants but Advanced Training and Team Training must be funded NOW for Marcus and Fisher to be ready for their partners! Your donation will directly fund the final phase of training and placement for these 2 incredible dogs!

Your donation will directly support our need to cover their final phase of training, and Team Training! Some ways your support will help:

$10 1 bag of high quality training treats
$15 1 bottle of ear cleaner
$25 1 month Flea & Tick Prevention
$30 1 treat bag
$35 1 month Heartworm Prevention
$60 1 month of high quality dog food
$500 1 mobility support harness

You can donate directly via PayPal via the link on our homepage, or through Razoo!

When Action Meets Compassion, Lives change.

Updates: PAD Nantucket and Athena began working with their partners in March and April 2016. They are making a huge difference in their lives every day for them. PAD Nantucket is working with a young man with prolonged, complex depression. PAD Athena is working with a young man with Autism. They are living in Reading, PA and Atlantic City, NJ!

KONG Wobbler Provides Stimulating Dinner!

Posted on December 27, 2010 by admin

With the holidays being busy, Dundee didn‚Äôt get as much training and play time as we‚Äôd like.¬† It is on days like this that we are so grateful for¬†KONG.¬† A few months ago we received a larger than Dundee sized box full of donated KONG items, straight from the company.¬† The donations included lots of interactive food toys, including their latest invention, the Wobbler!¬† Tonight we placed 1 cup of Taste of The Wild kibble into the Wobbler and after having Dundee sit and wait like a gentlemen, released him.¬† This video was taken only seconds after he was given the ‚Äúokay‚Äù to go investigate!¬† The dinner time, which out of a bowl only takes about two minutes, now involves problem solving and moving about for approximately 20 minutes!¬† Enjoy the video!

Trip to Christmas Village!

Posted on December 19, 2010 by admin

Dundee went on his first official PAD puppy training event today, and boy did he show off his skills.¬† Dundee did fabulous while we waiting for the other teams to arrive (about 15 minutes) even while crowds started forming lines around him, and speakers began blasting Christmas music (uncomfortably loud)!¬† Soon thereafter, Dundee had his first < experience of meeting another dog in public on leash.¬† PAD Sanuk is much older (6 months) and was very excited to have another dog with him at class.¬† While Sanuk‚Äôs handlers worked with him to get him to calmly join the class, Dundee sat and waited calmly.¬† Throughout the two hour visit he never got distracted by, or tried to play with Sanuk!¬† Way to go Dundee!¬† The majority of the event included meeting

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Socialization

Posted on December 15, 2010 by admin

As we‚Äôve mentioned before, it is crucial for Dundee and all working dogs to be extremely well socialized. Puppies brains‚Äô by age 4 months of age, are 80% developed! That means everything that he < learns after that ismuch harder to teach it, and theoretically takes longer because you are some what¬†changing the ‚Äúwiring‚Äù of the dogs brain. While Dundee is learning a lot by experiencing life (sights, sounds, smells, etc) we balance this out so that we do not over whelm him, and stress him out.