Dogs4Diabetics May 2016 - Vol. 1, Issue 9 Puppy Raiser Newsletter The Monthly Treat May 2016 The Latest and Greatest with the D4D Pups-in-Training Josette, D4D Dog-in-Training 1
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Kellie Case is one of Dogs4Diabetics (D4D) AMAZING volunteers, who has donated her time as a Foster in our Foster Care Program since the summer of 2014. Becoming a proud Foster Care Provider made a perfect fit for an active individual like Kellie, who has such a caring heart. To date, Kellie has Fostered nine D4D life-saving dogs (Culliver, Mars, Fitz, Sonata, Ravenna, Nigel, Nala, Izumi, Mandela, and Hale) along with providing short-term Fostering to six other D4D dogs (Hollis, Nala, Norton, Mandela, Izumi, & Charcoal). Recently, Kellie graduated with her Master s in Social Work (photo right) - You Go, Kellie - and is so relieved that she is done with homework, mid-terms, & finals. During Kellie s free time, she enjoys activities such as traveling, crafts, & fun art projects. She especially loves to make cute outfits for D4D dogs that she is Fostering. I understand that the dogs are only with me for a short time and will eventually move on to their client, but having the opportunity to love them for the time I have with them while they work to learn how to save lives has been so fun. - Kellie Thank you Kellie for being a proud volunteer and supporter of D4D. We are so Thankful for all that you contribute to our nonprofit. Many Thanks 2
D4D provides Pet First Aid and CPR classes to our Foster Care Providers This month Dogs4Diabetics provided a two-part Pet First Aid and CPR class for all of our Foster Care Providers. Fosters received hands on training on how to administer CPR to our canine friends in the event of an emergency. Our fosters were also trained in: Rescue Breathing Restraint and Muzzling Choking Management Bleeding and Shock Protocols Fractures and Limb Injuries Poisoning Seizures Pet First Aid Kits Administering Medications and more.. We feel strongly that knowing what to do and what NOT to do during a pet emergency is critical. Fosters learning how to give First Aid & CPR Continued on next page Practicing First Aid with D4D dog, Hunter 3
Continued from previous page.. A special thank you goes out to D4D and GDB volunteer Cindy Sevilla for teaching these classes to our fosters free of charge Interested in becoming a Foster Care Provider? Our beginning Foster Care classes start June 9th from 6:30-8:00pm. Location: IBEW Local 302 1875 Arnold Dr. Martinez, CA 94553 This is a 10 week training class for all new Fosters. Please contact our Foster Care Program Leader Stephanie Perkins for more information at fcp1@dogs4diabetics.com CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER We would like to congratulate our newest Foster Care Providers for successfully completing our beginning Foster Care classes: Joe Eno Bob Gaiser Lance Calkins Joe Hickey Carol Gaiser Richard Tong Susan Tong Kim Denton We are happy to announce all of our new Fosters have been assigned their first Foster dog. Way to go 4
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Newsletter Pilsner Flutter Pilsner, Flutter & Charcoal We have exciting news to share because Pilsner, Flutter, and Charcoal have officially joined the D4D team All three awesome pups have been career-changed from Guide Dogs for the Blind, and take the spot as this months New Kids on the Block. They have all have passed their two week evaluations and are starting to learn how to bringsel on cue. Charcoal Currently, Pilsner is in Phase B-1,2, and Flutter and Charcoal are both in Phase C1. Keep up the good work team 5
Dogs-in-Training Josette, working outside on a beautiful California day on her engagement skills with D4D s trainer, Mona. Her training is coming along great and is now in Phase C-1,3 -You Go, Josette Quinoa, is successfully alerting during her bucket training while working with D4D s trainer, Christina. She has been Rockin N Rollin since being at D4D and is in Phase C-1,3. Jacqueline (Josette s sister) is in Phase C3 in her training and this smart pup is doing an incredible job discriminating between scents - Great Work, Jacqueline 6
Dogs-in-Training Moses, (Mandela s brother), from Rightous Pups of Australia, has been moving right along with his training at D4D and is in Phase B4. Photo left: Moses is being rewarded with a belly rub from D4D s trainer, Christina, after finding the hypoglycemic scent. Mandela, D4D-AU pup-intraining, has moved into Phase C6, and is kickin serious tail in his training. Photo left: Mandela, has found the hypoglycemic scent during bucket training -You Rock, Mandela Quest, this sweet Collie, has advanced to Phase B-1,3 and is working like a champ on his scent and bringsel training. Photo left: Quest is holding a training toy that has the hypoglycemic scent. 7
Dogs-in-Training Argo, currently in Phase B-1,2, is just starting his scent training and is still working on his bringsel training. Photo left: Argo is going from one bucket to the next trying to find the hypoglycemic scent. Channing, just like Argo (above) is also in Phase B-1,2. His scent and bringsel training skills gain confidence each day. Photo left: Channing has found the hypoglycemic scent. Hale, is in Phase C-1,2, is working on dumbbell training with D4D s trainer, Christina. He has now begun his scent training -Way To Go, Hale 8
Working Towards Graduation Trial Placement Trial Placement Trial Placement New Client/Dog Team Carol & Joust Carol was placed with her Medical-Alert Assistance Dog, Joust, on a sunny May 5th afternoon at D4D. They are making a great team and we wish them the very best of luck as they work to meet their graduation requirements. New Client/Dog Team Paul & Hunter Paul was placed with his text Medial-Alert Assistance Dog, Hunter, on May 24th. We are thrilled to have placed another life-saving D4D dog with a client and are so proud of all their hard work and dedication to get to this point. New Client/Dog Team Heidi & Topanga What a fantastic month it has been here at D4D Another one of our wonderful D4D Clients, Heidi, was also placed with her Medical-Alert Assistance Dog, Topanga, on the same day as Client/Dog Team, Carol & Joust. A very special Thank You to our beloved GDB puppy raisers, D4D Foster Care Providers, and to everyone who helps make these life saving partnerships possible. 9
CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER Two D4D teams have met Graduation requirements Madi and Winnie, have met their Graduation requirements and will be graduating on Saturday, November 5th, 2016. This awesome team (picture left) spent a lovely day at beautiful Moaning Cavern Adventure Park -Great photo Winnie was the first service dog brave enough to explore the Moaning Cavern caves in Vallecito, California. Adventuring never gets old with her by my side. - Madi Trial Placement Joe and Tobias have met their Graduation requirements and will be graduating on Saturday, November 5th, 2016. Good work you two Joe and Tobias (left) had their picture taken while on the back of an old fashion train in Old Sacramento. Tobias was very brave and climbed up stairs that were grates to pose for a picture on a caboose. - Joe Trial Placement 10
Clients & Dogs who have met Graduation requirements I am still utterly surprised how correct she is in determining whether my blood glucose is out of range - either low or high - especially at night, when she wakes me up. I am so thankful that she has alerted me, often several times a night, and wonder how bad things would have been if she hadn't done so. -Yvonne Yvonne and Ravenna Brittany and Izumi D4D Medical-Alert Dog, Izumi, is successfully alerting her human, Brittany, of a change in blood sugar -Go Izumi Even when we play, we work. Diabetes doesn t rest and neither does Zoom Zoom Chasing waves and having some freedom at her favorite place doesn t stop Izumi from checking in with me and doing her job. She s always on and always with me. -Brittany Erryn and Pax A fun throwback picture of Erryn and Pax (bottom left) while at the Pet Food Dog Wash Fundraiser during the weekend of April 18th and 19th. They are joined by D4D Medial-Alert dog, Hatcher (yellow lab), along with a couple Pet Food Express employees. 11
Dogs4Diabetics November 2015 Newsletter Foster Care Class Schedule: All classes run from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Dogs4Diabetics Training Center, located at IBEW Union Hall 1875 Arnold Dr. Martinez, CA 94553. A special thanks to IBEW Union Hall for letting us use their space free of charge. Thursday Night Classes: 06/02 (No Class- Client Support Class at D4D) 06/09 (Beginning Foster Care Classes Start) 06/16 06/23 06/30 As a reminder, send all reports (Foster Care & Evaluator to FosterCare@Dogs4Diabetics.com) Did you Know? Your donations, large and small, contribute to the success of our program. Learn more how your donations make a difference- donate today: Dogs4Diabetics.com Quinoa, D4D Dog-intraining Make sure to join us for our 9th Annual Walk for the Dogs on Saturday, June 11th at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. Support our mission and register today by visiting: www.d4ddogwalk.org. - Woof, Quinoa We Need Foster Care Providers... Foster care is one of the foundations of Dogs4Diabetics. The number of dogs we can accept into our program is determined by the number of Foster Care Providers available. If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity where your service will help save a life, please contact Foster Care Leader, Stephanie Perkins: FosterCare@Dogs4Diabetics.com As a foster, not only will you discover the delight of a four-legged, wet-nosed companion, you will join a community all working toward improving the lives of people with diabetes. Get involved and really make a difference Waggin Wednesdays continue to be a great opportunity for Guide Dog Puppy Raisers to learn more about community placement, and our training program. Waggin Wednesdays is open to all GDB puppy raisers and GDB staff. Contact Carrie Skym to set up your visit cskym@dogs4diabetics.com Looking to recycle your Aluminum Cans, Plastic & Glass Bottles? Donate them to Dogs4Diabetics Recycling Program and help us in carrying out our mission in serving the Diabetic community. We are also in need of volunteers to help build the program. For more information, contact Jeannie Hickey at ghjeannie@aol.com. 12
S E Q U O I A C L U B DOGS4DIABETICS TRAINING PHASES The A,B,C phases of Dogs4Diabetics training refers to the dogs current level of training and socialization. Phase A Phase B GDB Released from the Puppy Home or GDB Early Training Release (Phases 0-3) Little or No Formal Training GDB Training Release (Phases 4-7) Needs more formal training to pass the ADI public access test Phase C Scent Training Phases 0-8 Completed Formal GDB Training (Phase 8) or Guide Meets standards of the ADI public access test 0 - Pre-training evaluation 1- Bringsel training 2 - Beginning scent training 3 - Intermediate scent training 4 - Advanced scent training 5 - Testing 6 - Waiting for placement with a client 7 - Placement with a client 8 - Client and Dog are ready for Graduation "13