Atlas' March 2022 Updates

Prancing into Spring

Lots of exciting news and opportunities as Spring pokes its nose. Keep reading to learn about how service dogs are changing lives, how you can get involved, our latest puppy Lottie updates, and what other exciting additions have been made at Atlas!

Join Our Next Team Facilitator Cohort

Three people and three dogs in a parking lot. One person is training a black and white dog to sit, while another holds a white fluffy dog. The third person, with a chocolate lab, is observing. Trees and a building are in the background.

Become an Atlas Team Facilitator and make a true impact in the lives of people with disabilities. Team Facilitators volunteer their time with Atlas to work hands-on with our clients and support them as they go through their training with their service dog.

As a Team Facilitator, you receive significant free training on disabilities, service dog training, and tools on how to work with our clients to help them succeed. Training involves online courses and a multi-session virtual workshop, as well as continuous mentorship.

To qualify for the role of Team Facilitator, we ask that you have:

  • At least 2 years experience working around dogs, or experience training your own dog
  • Some experience working with people (e.g education, healthcare, social services etc.)
  • Knowledge and full commitment to the use of positive, fear free training methods

Atlas could not provide the services we do without our Team Facilitators. Please consider joining our Team in this important and impactful role.

Learn More

“I highly encourage anyone thinking of getting into service dog work to consider the Team Facilitator program. I was assigned a client with full support from the Atlas Assistance Dog team. I got hands on practice and it made the course content applicable in real life. Thank you Atlas Assistance Dog Team for helping me make this dream a reality.” – Linda, Atlas Team Facilitator and Atlas Certified Trainer

Meet Juliette and Elwood

We’ve recently welcomed Juliette and Elwood as a new Team into our Client Certification program. Juliette is eager to share some of her story and how her service dog will help her thrive.

“I’ve struggled with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Body Dysmorphic Disorder for most of my life. However, these mental health disorders went overlooked and misdiagnosed for some time. In 2019, my symptoms became overwhelming. Fear of crowded spaces and overly checking still seemed to impede my quality of life. My mental health team decided that a service dog would benefit my treatment plan.  Elwood became part of my life in July 2020 at eight weeks old. As a fully trained service dog, Elwood will help:

  • Remind me to take my medication and to eat
  • Make a buffer in crowded spaces
  • Allow for a graceful exit
  • Recognize and interrupt repetitive motions

With Elwood’s help, I will be able to enjoy public spaces and live a relatively typical life.”

A woman wearing sunglasses and a black T-shirt with a dog print smiles at a small white and beige dog in her arms, also wearing sunglasses. They are indoors, near a staircase.

Meet Our New Advisors!

We are excited to announce that two incredible industry experts have joined Atlas’ advisory board.

A person in a checkered shirt smiles while crouching beside a donkey. The person has glasses and holds the donkeys face gently. They are outdoors on a sunny day.
A smiling woman sits in front of a fireplace, holding two small dogs wearing bowties. Another dog with perked ears sits beside her. The woman is wearing a pink sweater.

Ken Ramirez is the EVP and Chief Training Officer for Karen Pryor Clicker Training where he helps to oversee the vision, development and implementation of training education programs. A 40+ year veteran of animal care and training, Ramirez is a biologist and behaviorist who has worked with many zoological organizations and dog programs throughout the world. His work has included guide dogs, service dogs, law enforcement, search and rescue, film and television, and countless private clients.

Mikkel Becker is the lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets. She specializes in reward based training and behavior modification with dogs, cats and occasional other species, including horses, pigs and orangutans. She was the resident trainer at vetstreet.com and now is the lead animal trainer at fearfreehappyhomes.com and fearfreepets.com.

We could not be more grateful to have these two lend their support and expertise to Atlas. Thank you both for joining the team!

Lottie's Journey Updates

Here is your monthly Lottie update! Miss Lottie has been making wonderful progress with her Atlas Puppy Raiser, Laura. She is discovering new places and learning new skills every day as she moves along in her journey to become a service dog in our Assistance Dogs Set in Motion program. Keep following Lottie’s progress with our monthly updates.

As our program grows, we continue to look for breeders to partner with, as well as support to help us offset the cost of food, toys, training supplies and vet care. Please contact us if you would like to support Assistance Dogs Set in Motion in any capacity!

Our Time at Abilities Expo

After two years of virtual conferences, we got to attend our first in person one! Abilities Expo brings the disability community together in one amazing space to connect and celebrate all abilities. 

We unfortunately had a little (big) mishap when the airline lost all our conference materials. But boldness and creativity are core to our values. With last minute runs to UPS and target, and masterful cardboard building skills, we made it through and had a wonderful time meeting and talking to many wonderful people.

A person with long hair and a mask stands behind a blue-covered booth table with outstretched arms at a convention. The booth features informational brochures and signs. Other attendees and booths are visible in the background.
Illustration of a person and a dog happily high-fiving, with the text Make an Impact, Become an Atlas Volunteer on a blue to gray gradient background.

We need volunteers! Come join our team and become a volunteer in one (or more) of the many areas we could use some support in. We are currently looking for volunteers who can help us with outreach, digital advertising, website maintenance, SEO implementation, as well as new board members with marketing expertise. And of course, Team Facilitators! Contact us if you are interested in volunteering.

Donate Today
Share
X
Forward

Don't miss out on important news and updates! Subscribe today.

Sign up for our Newsletter