Greetings from the Desk of the Executive Director |
Greetings fellow dog lovers: I love my job! As a parent of young adults, every day, I stress to my children that school is important and that some of the keys to long-term happiness and fulfillment as an adult are the ability to pay your bills and work at a job that you love waking up for. Life is way to short to spend eight to 12 hours a day doing something you dread. Unfortunately, for special-needs young adults, job options are very limited. Too often, these folks are pushed into cleaning, stocking or fast-food jobs because no other options exist. This is WRONG and we need to change it! After close to two years of planning, negotiating and tons of paperwork with the State of Texas, Austin Dog Alliance has launched a job-skills training and placement program designed to give young adults who face social skill deficits often caused by autism, the opportunity to learn dog care and handling skills, so they can pursue jobs in vet offices, shelters, grooming facilities, dog boarding businesses and other dog-related jobs. We believe this is the only such job-training program in the nation. The program is called S+CORE!: Students + Canine equals Opportunities for Rewarding Employment, and our fall class for young adults on the autism spectrum is full and already underway. The success of S+CORE! will require a village approach: - Employers to give our students an opportunity to show how they can be an asset,
- Volunteers to bring their dogs to classes so students can practice, and
- Everyone to help fund the effort.
We have an opportunity here to truly change lives. Not only in our immediate area, but throughout the country as we create a model program that can be replicated. If you, like me, believe we have a moral obligation to help our young adults grow into productive members of society, get involved! Add Austin Dog Alliance to your holiday giving list. Donate today! Sponsor the S+CORE! program. Join our volunteer team. Hire one of our S+CORE! students. Your involvement is the key to success for these young people. Sincerely, Debi Krakar Executive Director and Founder Austin Dog Alliance NOTE: Fetching Art will be held on Saturday, Nov 2 at 6:30 at our Ranch in Cedar Park. Tickets are just $25 each and include exotic cocktails, appetizers, magic, art demos, free caricatures, live music by Austin Chamber Music Center and a silent auction of over 40 pieces of original art work. This event will help fund our job skills program - come join us. Click Here to Purchase Tickets!
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In the News - School officials "amazed" at the power of Zoe
Rescue dog begins career as therapy dog for school
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"When Zoe showed up at school... non-verbal students suddenly began to speak" - KXAN story
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Therapy dog Zoe helps students make strides - KXAN
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We often bring dogs into our Rescue/Foster Adoption program that have great potential - one such dog is now working in a local school district as a therapy dog. Teachers and administrators report that having Zoe in the classroom is resulting in extraordinary changes in some students. Click on the KXAN video, left, for the story on the power of Zoe at a Dripping Springs School. Big thanks to Judy McCarthy and Carla Elmore in our Rescue/Adoption program for having such a great eye for a dog's potential. Special thanks to Erin Lambert who spent her summer providing the first phase of training for Zoe. Erin is a student at the Texas School for the Deaf and she participated in our first pilot class for job skills. Big thanks to trainer Susan Windham who provided the second phase of training. Kuddos to all involved!
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Fetching Art Fall Fundraiser - November 2
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Our art-themed fundraising event is tomorrow - have you gotten your tickets? The event includes live music, a silent and live auction of art and jewelry, gourmet appetizers and adult beverages, a caricature artist and magician, and more.... This is an "adults only" event - age 21 and older. See the Fetching Art Extravaganza link to view some of the beautiful art work donated for this event! Sincere thanks to the generous artists who contributed their art to support our job skills program.
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100th Team Joins Pet Therapy Program
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| Mary Margaret Bryarly, Black Lab Scout, & Pet Therapy Director Carolyn Honish |
In October, Austin Dog Alliance welcomed our 100th pet therapy team! Congratulations to Mary Margaret Bryarly and her dog Scout. From the very first team to the most recent addition, and to ALL the teams in between, thank you! What an exciting journey to reach this milestone. We're so proud of all the volunteers involved in the pet therapy program that contribute thousands of hours to the community in outreach, program administration, and program support each year. We couldn't do it without each and every one of you. You are appreciated! Learn more about pet therapy training here.
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Rescue / Foster / Adoption Program
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Our Rescue/Foster/Adoption team works with shelters from Georgetown to Lockhart and everywhere in between to rescue dogs and place them in loving forever homes. Thank you to all of our incredible foster homes, and to our program leaders Judy McCarthy and Carla Elmore.
Follow some of our recent success stories on our Rescue/Foster/Adoption Facebook page.
Interested in becoming a foster to a deserving and loving pup? Our support team helps you every step of the way. Read about our program here.
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Welcome Dawn Wasicek, CPDT-KA
Saturday agility for new & experienced participants - Starts Saturday, Nov. 2
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Sign up for Agility class on Saturdays with Dawn Wasicek, certified professional dog trainer. Dawn competes in agility with her own dogs Shasta and Whisper, and has been training dogs full-time since 2001. Dawn ran Semper Fido, a dog training business based in Brooklyn, New York until she relocated to Austin in July 2011. Dawn believes an early education for dogs and puppies can make all the difference in having a well-mannered pet dog. She stresses structure, implemented in a non-confrontational way, and believes training should be fun for both dog and handler. Find information on all Austin Dog Alliance training classes here.
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Review Austin Dog Alliance on GreatNonprofits.org
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GreatNonprofits is a place to find trustworthy nonprofits. Since its founding in 2007, GreatNonprofits has grown into the leading provider of reviews and ratings of nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S.
GreatNonprofits hosts reviews of groups of all sizes and types, from the smallest grassroots groups operating on the local level, to the largest national and international organizations.
Would you be willing to spend 90 seconds to review us on GreatNonprofits? Please give your review on the Austin Dog Alliance page here.
Thank you for your support!
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FDA Warning - Illness Linked to Jerky Treats
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Bad jerky pet treats still causing illness and deaths
Dog and cats in the U.S. are continuing to suffer severe illness and death due to jerky treat products, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Since 2007, about 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have been affected and 580 pets have died as a result.
The treats suspected are primarily (but not entirely) made in China and are sold as duck or chicken jerky, sweet potatoes and/or dried fruit.
Symptoms include decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), and increased water drinking and/or urination within hours of eating the treats. Some animals displayed such symptoms as collapse, convulsions or skin issues. About two-thirds of animals experienced gastrointestinal illness, and about one-third experienced kidney and urinary systems, with the worst cases including kidney disorders and gastrointestinal bleeding.
If you suspect your pet has been affected, stop feeding treats immediately, place unused product in a sealed container for analysis and see your veterinarian immediately, as the worst effects are experienced in the first 48 hours. See the complete story online here.
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Thank You, Volunteer Dinner Sponsors!
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Hold your party or celebration at Austin Dog Alliance!
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Our beautiful training center and grounds make a fabulous setting for birthday parties, baby showers, special events ... the possibilities are endless. Contact us to discuss ways to make your next celebration a memorable occasion!
We are also now offering Birthday Parties for Kids or For Your Dog. Learn more about Bow Wow Parties. Dog lovers: Our fenced and lighted Agility Field is available for private rental, and our private Dog Park is the perfect place for your next Meetup or get-together with your dog-loving friends. Get more information here, or call our office (512-335-7100) for special arrangements.
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Mission |
Austin Dog Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Our mission: To improve the health and well-being of individuals and families through programs incorporating the powerful connection between humans and dogs.
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Contact Us | Board of Directors
Board Chair
Founder and
Executive Director
Adoption Program
Pet Therapy Director
Training Director Volunteer Coordinator Pet Therapy Volunteer Coordinator
Foster/Adoption, PR
PR, Marketing
Youth Association
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