jen@atlasdog.org 
For our blog topic this month, we decided to dive into the growing and fascinating area of neurodiversity. This is a topic that we find genuinely exciting to explore, as our field is gaining a richer understanding of neurodivergent thinking — and increasingly recognizing it not as a deficit to be managed, but as a … Read more
Holidays can be a mixed bag of experiences. Many people celebrate holidays by inviting friends and family, going to parties or meals, and enjoying time off from work or school. Yet, holidays can also bring stress, travel, disrupted routines, louder environments, reminders of grief, and increased social demands. Service dog handlers often carry dual responsibilities: … Read more
I have lost count of the number of times that my service dog, Eilish, and I have been scolded by strangers at national parks, often to the tune of, “Dogs aren’t allowed here!” In my more generous moments, I can make sense of this: pet dogs are not allowed on most trails at most national … Read more
[Credits: Featured image is “Rainbow Bridge” by Stella Violano] The emotional complexity of losing a service dog partner remains largely unspoken, yet it’s one of the most challenging aspects of working with these remarkable animals. Making decisions about your service dog can come with a lot of emotional weight and often isn’t linear. Handlers often … Read more
Most service dog handlers are familiar with “fakespotting”—or the policing of service dog teams by the public—either because we have experienced it ourselves or because it is just such a prevailing part of mainstream public conversations when it comes to service dogs. “Fakespotting” takes many forms, including accusations (“that’s not a real service dog”), “simple” … Read more
We are honored to announce that Atlas Assistance Dogs has officially earned full accreditation from Assistance Dogs International (ADI)! This marks a defining moment in our organization’s journey, one that affirms our commitment to the highest standards of ethical, humane, and effective service dog training. Why ADI Accreditation Matters ADI is a worldwide coalition of nonprofit organizations … Read more
June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month —an opportunity to highlight the impact of trauma and offer support to those affected. Trauma has become a key term in the mental health field, and for good reason: research continues to shed light on how traumatic experiences reshape the brain and influence behavior. This has … Read more
This was the second year in a row we had the pleasure of welcoming a summer intern from Princeton University. Throughout her internship with us, Hailey worked on a variety of key projects related to education and outreach. She was driven, creative, professional and clearly cared deeply about both the work she was doing as … Read more
