Happy September!

I love my job!  In my opinion, everyone should love their job.  In an effort to provide an opportunity for adults with high functioning autism or other mental or physical challenges with the opportunity to obtain meaningful employment that they LOVE; Austin Dog Alliance provides job skill training and placement for dog-related careers.  The two level, 86 hour course features hands-on activities with dogs in every class and a variety of simulated work-day field trips to dog-related businesses in our area.  We are privileged to have the support of Pet Connection, Dogadillo, Cedar Park Animal Control, Central Texas SPCA, Anderson Mill Animal Clinic, Williamson Country Regional Animal Clinic, Cedar Park Dog Wash and Romp N' Run Ranch.

I have the honor of teaching the level 2 course.  Not only do I get to bring my own dogs to work with me, but I also get to see the students make remarkable progress.  I know logically that all the students have qualified for the program because somewhere in their past, they had a challenge.  In all honesty, as I watch them work with the dogs or practice for job interviews, I don't see a disability.  I see an enthusiastic and skilled adult who is eager to earn a paycheck doing something meaningful.  

Thank you to all the therapy teams, volunteer speakers, volunteers, my co-teachers Susan Windham and Carolyn Honish, and everyone who supports Austin Dog Alliance financially.  Because of you, Austin Dog Alliance is able to provide our adult students with the priceless gift of  rewarding career options.  

Gratefully,

Debi Krakar

Executive Director and Founder

Austin Dog Alliance

PS - We are looking for auction items and sponsors for our First Annual Hounds for Heroes Benefit Dinner on October 25th.  We are also starting to train a new group of Service Dogs and are looking for foster/trainers.  Contact me if you would like to be involved. 

It's that time of year - The State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) for Texas runs September 1 through October 31, 2014.

State of Texas employees can support Austin Dog Alliance through payroll deduction.  Our charity code is 228204, listed in the Capital Area directory of charities.

Your donations support our therapeutic programs for kids on the autism spectrum, job skills training for young adults, Bow Wow Reading programs in schools/libraries, pet therapy outreach to hospitals, nursing homes, and rehab centers, PTSD service dog training, and MUCH more. 

Bonnie and her adopted "dad"

Bonnie is a beautiful black lab/retriever mix that was selected for our Special Dogs For Special Needs program. 

Experienced dog trainer (and pet therapy volunteer) Erin learned of Bonnie through friends - the dog had been abandoned in the DFW area and was in desperate need of rescue.  Erin stepped in, met Bonnie, and identified her as a Special Dog candidate.  Bonnie passed her initial assessment for the program with flying colors.

The two got off to a great start with training, but in the second week of training, Erin suffered a significant injury to her foot that rendered her immobile for a while and unable to give Bonnie the intensive training necessary for the Special Dogs program. 

Bonnie with trainer, Erin

With no backup trainers available, Bonnie was slated to return to our regular adoption program.

Remarkably, just as Bonnie was leaving our Special Dogs program, a wonderful family with a need for a loving dog possessing a calm temperament came into the picture.  A meet-and-greet was arranged, and the adoption was sealed. 

As Erin described it, "My Bonnie girl met her new family tonight and it was love at first sight. Her adopted dad is in a wheelchair, and she walked right up to him, sat down next to the chair and kissed him in the face. That pretty much sealed the deal.  I sure will miss her happy face and sweet, gentle hugs, but this feels like it was meant to be".

(We think so, too).

 

Take a class with your four-legged friend this Fall!  Learn new skills, polish up those manners, or do something purely for fun.

In September we have new sessions beginning of Dog Manners 1 & 2, Agility, Reactive Rehab, Tricks, Introduction to K9 Nose Work, 6-week Pet Therapy training, and more.  We offer classes weekdays, weeknights, and weekends.  There's always a class to fit your schedule.

Pet Therapy:  Are you interested in volunteering in canine-assisted therapy with your pet, and want to learn more about whether this is a good fit?  Attend our 2-hour Pet Therapy Seminar (September 13) to learn more and obtain a preliminary assessment of your dog's potential and suitability for this type of work.

Are you already volunteering in pet therapy but looking for a class to sharpen your skills as a team to serve in challenging and complex environments?  Sign up for Canine Assisted Therapy - Advanced Skills and take it to the next level.

Service Dogs: Do you have a medical diagnosis for which a psychiatric service dog is appropriate?  Do you already have a calm, well-mannered dog, and you'd like to pursue comprehensive training for your dog to become qualified to work as your service dog?  Attend our Train Your Own Psychiatric Service Dog seminar (September 8) to learn more about what is realistic and achievable.  Dogs that meet skill requirements and prerequisites are eligible to take the 8-week Train Your Own Service Dog class which begins in October.
 

Thank you, Jack Crownover!  Jack is a 15-yr-old student in Scout Troop 151. 

Jack built picnic tables and benches for our grounds as part of his work toward becoming an Eagle Scout.  You'll see us on the patio enjoying this beautiful new table this Fall.  

Saturday, October 25th join us at our First Annual Hounds for Heroes Benefit Dinner! 

For $12/person, you can enjoy an authentic and homemade German dinner.  The event will be held at Austin Dog Alliance (1321 W. New Hope Drive in Cedar Park) from 1:30 - 7.  If you're a biker, there's also a Poker Bike Run planned the same day.

More details to follow on Facebook and in our October newsletter.  See you there!

 

Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to Austin Dog Alliance when you shop at AmazonSmile.  It's super easy to sign up, and there's no additional cost.  Visit smile.amazon.com and choose Austin Dog Alliance as your preferred charitable organization.

Thank you for your support!

Donate Now 

Our mission: 
 To improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and families through programs incorporating the powerful connection between dogs and humans. 

 Nancy McIntire

Board Chair

 Stacie Neall

  Adoption Program 

 Carolyn Honish

Pet Therapy Director

Pet Therapy Volunteer Coordinator

Foster/Adoption, PR

PR, Marketing

Youth Association