Atlas' June 2023 Updates

Woofs for summer!

Atlas has been busy this month! Between fundraisers, gatherings, and lots of incredible successes from our clients, trainers, and our puppy Cal, there is much to cover. Keep reading to learn about what’s been going on.

Four service dogs sitting on a sidewalk in front of a building. They wear blue bandanas, and a banner behind them promotes disability support and training services. The dogs are various breeds, with a mix of black, white, and brown coats.

Congratulations Michele and Abby

A big congratulations to team Michele and Abby who successfully completed their Public Access Test and are now an Atlas Certified Team! 

An elderly woman with long white hair and glasses, wearing a teal shirt, is smiling and looking lovingly at a large brindle dog. The dog is gazing back at her, with its front paws close to her, set against a dark background.

Abby came to Michele as a rescue and Michele put an enormous amount of work into helping Abby feel safe again. Michele’s devotion, love and patience allowed Abby to show all that she is capable of. Not all rescues can become service dogs, but Abby has certainly shown what she is capable of. We are so proud of Michele and Abby and all they’ve accomplished together. They make one heck of a team. Well done!

Meet Our Newest Atlas Certified Trainer

A big congratulations to Laura on completing our Trainer Academy and becoming an Atlas Certified Trainer! Laura, who founded DOGGY•U as part of a mission to expand access to affordable, fun, and ethical training resources for service dog handlers offers FREE and low-cost service dog training videos, resources, and courses. Check out her full bio here>>
A woman stands smiling in a yard, wearing a vest and plaid shirt. A dog sits on her shoulders, and another dog stands in front. The background features a white fence and a light blue house.

“While I’ve been training guide dogs and service dogs for nearly 15 years, I wanted to complete a formal study of service dog training coursework to further delve into areas of service dog training that weren’t my specific specialties. Going through the Atlas program not only gave me a new set of skills (especially in scent-based work) but also provided a support network of other service dog trainers that has proven invaluable. I really loved the hands-on approach that included video-review of my training, and feedback from other service dog trainers. Getting that personalized feedback as part of the program was incredibly motivating and helpful!

Having grown up with a father who was blind, and being a part of the disability community myself, helping handlers achieve their owner-training goals by providing free and low cost online resources is incredibly rewarding. Being a part of the Atlas Certified Trainers program has bolstered my confidence and passion for the work that I’m doing, allowing me to reach more owner-trainers in a variety of service dog disciplines. I’m so glad to be a part of this growing service dog trainer community of trainers!”
 

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Thank You for Raising a Pint for Service Dogs!

Thank you to all who joined us for our Raise a Pint for Service Dogs fundraiser earlier this month. Thanks to you, we raised close to $1,300 and had a whole lot of fun!

Four people under an orange tent, three behind a table with informational materials. Two wear teal shirts featuring a whale. A man stands beside the table wearing a cap and sunglasses. The setting is outdoors with people and tables in the background.
People and dogs gather under an orange brewery tent at an outdoor event. Some individuals are seated at a table with informational materials. Dogs and their owners socialize nearby, enjoying the sunny day.
We would like to sincerely thank all our wonderful volunteers who came out to help, as well as the many individuals and businesses who generously donated items or services for our raffle. And of course, a huge thank you to Stoup Brewing for hosting us!

Monthly Cal Update: He's home!

We are happy to announce that Cal has officially been partnered with Amy and has been with her for a few weeks now. He is clearly loving his new life on Amy’s beautiful farm and the two are bonding like no other.

A person kneels on a rug, playfully hugging a large, dark-colored dog. The room has a wooden floor, a dark blue sofa with pillows, and a wooden table. Sunlight streams through a window in the background.
Amy and Cal reunite.
A chocolate Labrador retriever lies on lush green grass under a tree, with its tongue out. In the background, a horse stands near a fence amid rolling grassy fields, with a clear blue sky overhead.
Cal loving his new yard.

Cal’s puppy raisers gave him an excellent foundation and we cannot thank them enough. Sue bravely started off with Cal in his youngest months for the rowdy, bitty but adorable puppy stages. At around 6 months, Ginger took over and she got to enjoy his transition into adolescence. Both did an incredible job at giving him amazing life skills, exposure to all kinds of people, animals, and places, and the foundation training that would set him up for his more advanced service dog training. 

It is now up to Amy, with the help of Atlas Team Facilitators, to take his service dog training to the next level. Together, they will learn to become a well-rounded working team.

A Labrador puppy wearing a blue In Training vest is lying on the grass next to a metal water bowl. Various training items are visible in the background.
Cal as a puppy
Two women stand on a grassy field, interacting with a sitting brown dog. One woman is extending her hand toward the dog. Both women are dressed warmly, and the setting appears rural with trees and buildings in the background.
Ginger introducing Cal to Amy

Atlas' Board Gets Together

Once a year, Atlas’ Board of Directors meets in person for a full review of the past year and to establish our goals and strategies for what’s to come. We have come a long way since our very first Board meeting just seven years ago, and we are amazed and proud at how much Atlas has grown. Our accomplishments have been made possible thanks to many incredible and dedicated people with all types of backgrounds including health care providers, dog trainers, service dog handlers, disability advocates, and more. Our Board is constantly amazed at the community that has made Atlas what it is. We are excited to keep growing and to help even more people thrive with a service dog at their side.

A group of people stands outside with three service dogs. They are gathered near a banner for ATLAS Assistance Dogs. Trees and greenery form the background. The atmosphere appears relaxed and friendly.

Our 2022 Annual Report is ready! Read it here. 

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