Dear Friend,
As we kick off a new year, we want to ensure we’re connecting with you in the best way possible. Your perspective is invaluable, and we’d love to learn more about what matters most to you. By sharing your thoughts, you’ll help us craft content that truly resonates, so every email from Atlas Assistance Dogs is one you’re excited to open. You’ll also help us grow and improve as an organization.
Please take a few moments to share your thoughts!
Thank you for being a part of our community and helping us empower more people with disabilities to thrive alongside their service dogs!
My best,
Lisa Lunghofer, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Atlas Assistance Dogs
p.s. If you have additional thoughts or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you directly. One of the most rewarding parts of my role is getting to know people like you who share our passion for helping individuals and their service dogs. Reach out anytime at lisa@atlasdog.org!
Welcome to Our Newest Atlas Team in Training
“Atlas has been on my radar ever since Rudy came home. Now that he has matured (somewhat!) and has the foundations down, I can’t wait to get started. I love training Rudy myself, but I have never had a service dog before, so I think this program will be great for teaching me how to teach him. I have tried virtual training, but I learn best in person, so I’m really looking forward to where this will take us!” — Alia
Trainer Spotlight: Meet Tala!
Atlas is dedicated to expanding the pool of qualified and ethical trainers who can work with service dog teams using positive training methods. We are also deeply committed to empowering diverse voices to become leaders in the service dog community.
That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce Tala Castro, one of our newest Atlas Certified Trainers. Tala is passionate about breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for her teams to succeed. She believes service dogs can transform lives when training is compassionate and tailored to individual needs.
Tala shared, “The Atlas program was transformative. As a disabled handler and member of the BIPOC community, I know firsthand the barriers marginalized individuals face when accessing service dog training. I am passionate about bringing service dogs to BIPOC individuals, ensuring they have the opportunity to experience the independence, confidence, and life-changing partnership a service dog can provide. This program reinforced my belief in the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and ethical practices in the service dog community.”
