As you know Dogs4Diabetics provides quality Medical-Alert Assistance Dogs and Diabetes Buddy Dogs to insulin-dependent diabetics through programs of training, placement, and follow-up services. Hopefully by now you have also heard the incredible news D4D is partnering with Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF).
ARF’s core mission is the rescue of dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters. They give them a chance at life until a new home can be found.
ARF couples this focus with innovative programs strengthening the human-animal bond for children, seniors, veterans, and people in disadvantaged circumstances.
Training Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation Rescue Dogs:
Dogs4Diabetics is so excited to now have the opportunity to train these ARF rescue dogs and transform them into life-saving Medical-Alert Assistance Dogs or Diabetes Buddy Dogs. We are so happy to give these rescue dogs a new “leash” on life… and create truly homeless to hero stories for these sweet pups.
Once a week our trainers go to ARF. They meet with their team who have already gone out and rescued and evaluated prospective dogs. Dogs that meet the specific criteria D4D is looking for.
Our trainers will then put the dogs through another evaluation before welcoming these newest heroes into the D4D family.
Since these fresh faces have varied and unknown pasts. We have wonderful evaluation trainers at D4D. They take these special canines into their homes to start teaching them what it’s like to be a service dog.
We’re taking this process slowly to make sure each dog is comfortable and confident with each step. Before adding more skills and training to their repertoire.
D4D thinks each dog will be in these evaluation training homes for at least a year before entering the training center for formal training.
We’re excited for this new program. We can’t wait to have our first ARF rescue dog graduate with their diabetic partner! Make sure to follow the progress of our current dogs, Bandit (pictured above) and Newton, on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and our YouTube channel.
By Christina Hobson, D4D Trainer
