Dogs for Better Lives

Follow-Up Friday with Facility Dog ?? Rowan & Sherry This week, we’re celebrating the incredible impact FD Rowan is having on students in Virginia! Rowan’s presence extends beyond therapy sessions—he’s a superstar in the hallways and on the playground, where students light up just seeing him. One of Rowan’s most heartwarming achievements is helping students overcome their fear of dogs. Through thoughtful discussions about understanding a dog’s behavior and gentle introductions, Rowan has turned fear into trust. For one student in particular, Rowan has become her calm in the storm. Whether she’s writing at her desk or taking a break on the floor, Rowan is by her side, helping ease her anxiety and bringing comfort with every wag and nuzzle. Thank you, Rowan, for spreading calm and joy wherever you go! ?? taken during Rowan's placement #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram #followupfriday

A huge thank you to our incredible supporters for walking in the WoofTrax challenge! Your steps helped us receive a generous donation of NexGard? PLUS valued at nearly $10,000 from our friends at WoofTrax and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. This donation will help keep our dogs in training healthy and protected as they prepare for their important roles as Service Dogs. Check out Service Dogs in Training Beacon and O'Hara who were there to help receive this generous donation at our Northeast Campus in Falmouth, MA. Your steps truly make a difference—thank you for being part of our mission to change lives! #DogsForBetterLives #AssistanceDogs #PetHealth #DogCare #NexGardPlus #BoehringerIngelheim #PreventativeCare #HealthyPets #wooftrax

The Ultimate Howliday Gift Guide for Dog Lovers! Looking for the perfect gift for the dog lover in your life? Or maybe a treat for your own furry best friend? Look no further! Our 2024 Howliday Gift Guide is packed with paw-some ideas that will make tails wag and hearts melt. From unique gifts for dog lovers to special treats for our four-legged companions, we’ve curated something for everyone. Every purchase supports the incredible work we do here at Dogs for Better Lives: https://lnkd.in/gpFt8Zye Let’s make this holiday season paws-itively unforgettable! #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram #happyhowliday

Mastering “Side” & “Pivot” for Everyday Success! Did you know? The “Side” command is one of the most versatile skills our Assistance Dogs in Training learn! This skill teaches dogs to come sit calmly at their handler’s side, making it invaluable in situations like: ?? Walking on a busy street ?? Standing in an elevator ??? Controlled greetings or staying under a restaurant table But that’s not all! These amazing pups also master the “Pivot,” which helps them navigate tight spaces and corners like pros. Whether it’s maintaining perfect heel position or moving gracefully in crowded areas, these skills ensure our dogs are ready for any environment! Check out trainers Claudia, Eli, and Melissa as they showcase Assistance Dogs in Training ?? Vicki, ?? Luke, ?? Lupo, and ?? Lincoln demonstrating these incredible skills! #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram #side #pivot

SAVE THE DATE! Giving Tuesday is December 3rd, 2024 This year, DBL is reaching for an incredible goal—$30,000 to fund the journey of a future Service Dog! Thanks to our generous matching donors, every dollar you give will be matched up to $15,000! Your contribution directly supports veterinary care, training, and placement—making life-changing connections possible for those who need these incredible dogs the most. Last year, YOU helped us exceed our goal and raise over $35,000. Let’s make this year even bigger and better for the amazing dogs and people we serve! Together, we can change lives, one wag at a time! #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram #cryptogivingtuesday #givingtuesday

Join the Holiday Give and Support DBL with BottleDrop! This holiday season, your bottles and cans can make a life-changing impact! From November 15 to December 2, Dogs for Better Lives is participating in BottleDrop’s 8th Annual Holiday Give, where funds raised through Blue Bag donations are eligible for a 20% match. Plus, your participation can help us win social media prizes, contributing to the $75,000 BottleDrop is giving back to nonprofits! Here’s how you can help: ?? Drop your Blue Bags at any BottleDrop location to support DBL. ?? Encourage friends and family to donate funds from their BottleDrop Green Bag accounts. ?? Share your support on social media with photos and tag @oregonbottledrop using #HolidayGive2024 and #BottleDropGive for a chance to win $100 for DBL! Every bottle and can makes a difference in helping us rescue, train, and place Assistance Dogs at no cost to our clients. Let’s make this holiday season one of giving and gratitude! *Oregon residents only #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram #BottleDropGive

It's Follow Up Friday with Anna Mary and ?? Hearing Dog Annie from our Shelter-to-Service program, who’s been by her side since March 2024. This Halloween, Annie buzzed around as the cutest Bumble Bee at the community center's local dog Halloween party! Together, they took on obstacle courses, posed for adorable photos at the smooch booth, and enjoyed all the festive fun. Moments like these showcase the joy and companionship that our hearing dogs bring to their clients’ lives. Thank you, Anna Mary and Annie, for the smiles and inspiration! #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram #followupfriday

This Weekend with RAB PNW! Join us for some fantastic events that celebrate and support the mission of DBL! Hosted by RAB PNW, these events are a wonderful chance to have fun while making a difference. Love giving back? Join a DBL RAB (Regional Advisory Board) and help us plan more outreach events like these! ?? November 16 – Zoom Room Tacoma Event Where? Zoom Room Tacoma Start your day with a 30-Minute Intro Class for just $5, and get 10% off any training packages purchased that day! Each wag, trick, and treat supports DBL's efforts to bring Assistance Dogs to those in need. Classes (10:00 am – 3:00 pm): ?? Agility ?? Tricks ?? Puplates ?? Obedience Dog Days of Fun (4:30 - 6:30 pm): ?? Clicker Games ?? Enrichment Stations ?? Photo Ops …and more! ?? Reserve your Spot: https://lnkd.in/gnu7vKb6 ?? Or call: 253-254-6192 ?? November 17 – Paws for Pints Where? The Barking Dog Alehouse | 4 PM - 6 PM Raise a glass and raise funds! The Barking Dog Alehouse will donate $1 for every pint poured to support DBL. Bring your pup, snap some adorable photos, and enjoy a pint for a purpose! What to Expect: ?? Delicious drinks for a great cause ?? Adorable dogs ?? Snap pics with furry friends ?? An amazing community impact! Round up your friends and furry pals, and let’s make a difference together. Every pint poured gets us one step closer to helping more lives with DBL! Want to make an even bigger impact? Learn how you can join a Regional Advisory Board (RAB) with Dogs for Better Lives and support more outreach events like these! Visit https://lnkd.in/gb5cUV2m to find out more and see how you can get involved. #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram #zoomroomtacoma #zoomroom #pawsforpints

?? Mighty’s Monthly Report – October Update! ?? Assistance Dog in Training ?? Mighty’s training journey is in full swing, and he’s proving to be an incredibly versatile pup! As he learns skills for all our programs, we’re working to find the best fit for his strengths and talents. This month, Mighty has excelled in proofing and generalizing his obedience skills, even in group settings with plenty of distractions! He’s showing impressive focus, especially with his "under" command. Each day, he’s working on program-specific skills, like “lap” visits, “settle,” and even responding to the oven timer—a crucial alert for future Hearing Assistance Dogs! In his downtime, Mighty loves fetching his favorite green jolly ball and has made a couple of friends in the play yard, especially Beacon and O’Hara! He’s even earned a new nickname, “Mighty Mouse”—no superpowers yet, but he’s certainly a super pup in training! Special shoutout to his amazing puppy raiser, Ashley, for all her dedication in setting Mighty up for success! #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedog #servicedog #servicedogintraining #puppylove #MightyHero #HeroInTraining #ServiceDogJourney #PawPatrol #Mighty

September was National Service Dog Month! At Dogs for Better Lives, it’s not only a time to celebrate the life-changing work of Service Dogs but also to recognize the dedication of our Regional Advisory Boards (RABs). These volunteer-driven teams play a crucial role in outreach, advocacy, and fundraising—helping us extend our mission to communities across the nation. From the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast, our RAB members bring their skills, passion, and commitment to make a lasting impact for people with disabilities and their Assistance Dogs. Thinking about joining a community of like-minded advocates? Your involvement can make a difference in people’s lives! ?? Read more about the impact of our RAB members and how you can get involved! https://lnkd.in/gitjeu35 #dbl #dogsforbetterlives #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogsofinstagram #regionaladvisoryboard #