Dogs for Better Lives

Assistance Dog ?? Luke is getting ready to take to the skies! Today, he’s working on getting comfy and confident with the tight spaces and strange sounds of airplane travel—starting with a row of chairs to mimic cabin seating. Travel can be tricky for anyone, so we’re helping Luke feel calm and secure before the big day when he travels to meet his future person. Every small step prepares him for big impact. #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedog #servicedog #servicedogintraining

???? Happy National Puppy Day! ???? If anyone knows how to celebrate in style... it’s Rooster! That smile says it all . Puppy days are the best days. At Dogs for Better Lives, we’re lucky to be part of the journey for amazing pups like Rooster as they grow into life-changing Assistance Dogs. Today, we’re celebrating the joy, the wiggles, and the purpose behind every paw print. Drop a ?? if Rooster’s grin made your day! #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedog #servicedog #servicedogintraining #nationalpuppyday

Follow-Up Friday: Maria & Certified Hearing Dog ?? Noodle In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Maria and her community faced devastation. While Maria was fortunate to be spared major damage, she endured 10 days without power and was isolated in her neighborhood for several days. During a trip to a surviving Publix supermarket—one of the few open—Maria noticed something remarkable. People kept approaching, not for supplies, but for Noodle. That’s when it hit her: in a time of loss and uncertainty, people needed comfort, even if just for a moment. So, Noodle got to work. He offered love, wet kisses, and quiet companionship. With Maria's approval, strangers sat on the floor, petting him, tears streaming down their faces, finding a small but meaningful respite from their struggles. As Maria says, “He’s a hearing dog by trade; he’s a superhero by heart.” ?? Photo of Noodle enjoying some down time #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedog #servicedog #servicedogintraining #followupfriday

?? Join The Pack & Help Us Reach Our Goal! We’re on a mission to welcome 15 new Pack members by April 1—will you be one of them? ???? By giving monthly, you’ll provide steady support to train and place life-changing Assistance Dogs. Plus, as a Pack member, you’ll receive exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and a VIP newsletter from our CEO! Join today and help us change lives, one month at a time! ?? https://lnkd.in/gMcDjQgR #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedog #servicedog #servicedogintraining

A big round of apaws to Nylabone for their generous donation! Our Assistance Dogs in Training ?? Scully, ?? Percy, ?? Doris, and Demo Dog ?? Eloise—are loving their new nylas! These durable chews help keep their minds engaged and their teeth healthy as they work toward becoming life-changing Assistance Dogs. Swipe to see their happy faces enjoying their new favorite chew toys! #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram

We are honored to be selected as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 Pear Blossom Festival Parade in Downtown Medford, Oregon! ???? This year's theme, "Pear of Paws," couldn’t be more fitting as we celebrate the life-changing impact of Service Dogs and the incredible partnerships they create. Join us on April 12th at 11 AM as we march through Medford, sharing our mission and the power of paws in changing lives! ?? 2025 Pear Blossom Festival ?? April 12, 2025 | 11 AM ??? Downtown Medford, OR ?? Parade Grand Marshal: Dogs for Better Lives Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gu3Nf-2d Follow the festival: Pear Blossom Festival Facebook ?? We can’t wait to see you there! Who’s coming to cheer us on? Drop a ?? in the comments! ?? #PearBlossomFestival #GrandMarshal #PearOfPaws #DogsForBetterLives #AssistanceDogs #ChangingLivesOneDogAtATime #DBL

???? Happy St. Pawtrick’s Day from Dogs for Better Lives! ???? Today, we’re feeling extra lucky to have the best supporters, puppy raisers, volunteers, and Assistance Dogs making a difference every day. May your day be filled with wagging tails, belly rubs, and a little Irish charm! ?? Drop a pic of your lucky pup in the comments! #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram #StPawtricksDay #LuckyDogs

Follow-Up Friday with AAD Clover & Enzo’s Journey! In December 2024, Autism Assistance Dog ?? Clover was placed with Enzo in California—and since then, they’ve been inseparable! From providing comfort during overwhelming moments to sharing snuggles, Clover has become Enzo’s loyal companion and best buddy. Seeing these two thrive together is exactly why we do what we do! #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram #FollowUpFriday

Temptation Level: Expert Mode! Assistance Dog in Training ?? Leaf faced her biggest challenge yet—right next to the jerky! But did she cave? Nope! She held her focus like a true pro. Training moments like these prepare Leaf for the important work ahead, showing off her discipline, patience, and incredible self-control. Way to go, Leaf! #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedog #servicedog #servicedogintraining

Friday evening, the DBL team had an amazing time at the Phoodery in Phoenix, OR! With delicious food trucks, a welcoming community seating area, and a generous percentage of sales donated to DBL, it was a night to remember. Certified Hearing Dog ?? Luke and Assistance Dog in Training ?? Melvin were the stars of the evening, along with our incredible Training Assistant Jenny. Luke was hard at work practicing public alerts—alerting his new handler to a ringing cell phone and dropped keys both while walking and standing still. Talk about focus in a high-distraction environment! With trivia night, food smells, people, and wind, Luke handled it all like a pro. ?? Huge shoutouts to our amazing team: ?? Jenny for working both dogs and puppies at the event! ?? Melissa for training Luke and Melvin to be such fantastic DBL ambassadors! ?? Donna for organizing the event and bringing DBL puppies Doris & Emilia to meet the crowd! ?? Amy for stopping by to support us! ?? Check out these snapshots of Luke, Melvin, and Jenny! Thank you to everyone who came out to support Dogs for Better Lives—your support helps us continue to change lives! #DogsForBetterLives #AssistanceDogs #PublicAlerts #CertifiedHearingDog #PhoenixPhoodery #DogTraining #MakingADifference