AlphaDogK9 Training: What's New

What's New at Alpha Dog K9 Training

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First Saturday of the Month Classes

Our drop-in class on Saturday, May 1 will be at noon
at the North Attleboro World War 1 Memorial Park and Zoo
401 Elmwood St., North Attleboro, MA, 02760.

Rain or Shine

Weekend Puppy Raisers

I am looking for weekend puppy raisers for my string of NEADS handicapped assist dog candidates. Specifically, I need handlers to go to MCI Framingham this month and Baystate Correctional Center in the summer.

Here's what's involved:

Weekend puppy raisers or WPRs are volunteers that take a puppy out of a local prison at least three weekends a month for two overnights~usually Friday to Sunday but I am extremely flexible with schedules~for one year. I ask that you bring the puppy to Happy Tails for training every Saturday, and take it everywhere with you~grocery store, post office, mall, out to dinner, etc for socialization.

There is an online form of the pup's experiences that will need to be filled out weekly, takes about 10 minutes.

NEADS provides the puppy, food, leashes, collars. We ask that you provide a crate and toys and training.

You have the same puppy every week.

Homes that have kids and/or cats are welcome, as are homes with dominant dogs, no matter the breed.

Our puppies go to children (http://www.caninesfordisabledkids.org/ ), soldiers ( http://www.caninesforcombatvets.org/ ) deaf people, and people with many different handicaps (http://www.neads.org/) .

They're usually labs, but occasionally we have other breeds. If you see our German Shepherds out and about, please say hello! These dogs are specifically earmarked for returning veterans.

If you're interested in becoming one of my WPRs, please email me asap.
If you would like more information about NEADS, please visit the website at http://www.neads.org/

This is three year old French Bulldog Mimi. She is very a shy girl looking for a good home and some training. If you would like information on Mimi, please email Kelly at pepsibluekennels@comcast.net

A new NEADS match is made!

Written by Kaya's mom:

Kaya is a really enthusiastic 8 year old boy who wants a dog to help him manage his ADHD and anxiety.

My son Kaya Suner is an 8 year old boy who struggles with ADHD, generalized anxiety and sensory integration disorder. He particularly struggles with severe anxiety (including a fear of dogs), and difficulty with peer relationships. We have applied to NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans for a Social Dog to help comfort him, provide companionship and give him a structured routine. This specially-trained dog will assist my son with simple tasks, reassure him when he worries, help him develop self confidence, and provide 24-hour companionship when other friends lose their patience. I have never seen Kaya as happy as he was the day we went up to NEADS to meet the dogs. I got lots of hugs that day (and he doesn't usually like to hug), and he kept repeating "I know this is going to help me". Any help you could provide would be great! We can't wait to meet our new friend.

Help Spread the Word

NEADS, Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans is looking for help from you in spreading the word that we're here and ready to help! If you know of a group of people~occupational or physical therapists, veterans organizations, organizations helping disabled kids, we'd like them to meet our dogs and have a chance to explain the benefits of an assist dog to them.

Please email us here at Alpha Dog or email John Moon at NEADS directly, at jmoon@neads.org with your ideas and as much contact info as you have, and we will take it from there.

A disabled child, veteran, adult will thank you for your efforts!

Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. | HandsOn Network

Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. HandsOn Network: "Information for Volunteers:
Registration for the Give A Day. Get A Disney Day. program is now open to volunteers! Go to www.disneyparks.com/celebrate, sign up, and search for a volunteer activity near you. There's never been a better time than now to start a new tradition of volunteering.

The Give A Day. Get A Disney Day. program celebrates the good work of volunteers by giving each of them one-day admission to a theme park at Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort, free. In 2010, we're inspiring one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities.

Now, volunteers can go to www.disneyparks.com to search for volunteer opportunities made available through HandsOn Network and sign up for a day of volunteer service. As the nation's largest volunteer network, HandsOn Network has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies that need their help. Many of the opportunities will be projects that entire families can participate in together.

Opportunities for volunteering are being added daily, so continue to check in and see what new projects are available.

If you volunteer regularly with an organization and don't see them listed in the database, or are looking for other ways to participate in the Give A Day. Get A Disney Day. program, click here for more information.

Click here for frequently asked questions about the participating organizations and volunteer activities available for this program.

We look forward to celebrating the spirit and power of volunteerism with you this year!"