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It's that time again—another quarterly issue of The Paw Print with updates on Hero Dogs programs, events, and more. Our quarterly newsletter aims to bring you all the news and updates from the last few months at Hero Dogs—and to thank you for supporting our work!
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Hero Dogs facility dogs assist people in ways distinct from other types of working and service dogs. In partnership with a trained handler employed by the facility, they work full-time with staff to achieve specific treatment or program goals through animal-assisted therapy.
Children's National is a nationally ranked, freestanding, 323-bed, pediatric acute care children's hospital in our nation's capital. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21 throughout the region.
Children's National Hospital was happy to add Barney to their team to help children's and families' ability to cope while at the hospital. Barney works with his primary handler and owner Kimberly, along with other child life specialists, to help reduce the stress and anxiety that is common for children to experience in a medical environment. He does this in several ways, including:
- providing emotional support and bedside visitation;
- assisting with procedure preparation by receiving mock procedures before the patient's procedure;
- engaging in medical role play and therapeutic games;
- assisting with patient mobility;
- contributing to the emotional support and comfort of patients' families and staff.
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to keep up with his work!
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In one three-month period alone, Barney made an impact on the lives of 217 patients, 139 parents/guardians, and over 500 hospital staff members. He spent over 56 hours at the bedside of patients, providing immeasurable comfort and relief.
Kimberly described a 7 year-old patient recovering from third degree burns. "During her stay, Hero Dogs Barney would frequently visit, providing a much-needed distraction from the painful dressing changes [the patient] had to undergo several times a week. With time, Barney’s visits went from providing social comfort to active recovery. Barney became a reason for [the patient] to start moving her body, and the pair would frequently take walks to the unit’s fish tank together."
Another patient, 10 year-old Chloe, wrote about her relationship with Barney. "I felt a lot better after I got to meet Barney. His job as a hospital facility dog is to be sweet and hang out with kids who are sick. Barney made me feel less afraid. When I was panicky, he stayed close and calmed me down." (read more of Chloe's story here)
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Hero Dogs Receives Accreditation from
Assistance Dogs International
We are proud to announce that we have been awarded full accreditation by Assistance Dogs International.
Assistance Dogs International (ADI), the leading authority in the assistance dog industry, establishes and promotes standards of excellence in all areas of assistance dog acquisition, training, and partnership.
Becoming an accredited member organization of ADI is a very special achievement that our Board of Directors and Hero Dogs staff have been working toward for upwards of three years. Thank you to everyone who helped us along the way!
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We have all been looking forward to the return of community events and it seems more opportunities to do outreach with Hero Dogs arise each month! We are being invited to more all the time and are thankful for our dedicated volunteers for spreading the word about Hero Dogs! |
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Hero Dogs Sandy had the honor of meeting Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Jones at the Fallen Heroes ceremony in Pikesville on May 12th.
Sandy, who is named after Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Sander B. Cohen, is currently training to be a facility dog for Cohen's former office, the Maryland State Fire Marshal.
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The Litter 4 puppies got plenty of cuddles and socialization from local police departments! The officers appeared to enjoy the puppy love too. The pups visited the Washington Metropolitan Police Department on June 11th and the Frederick Police Department in Frederick, Maryland on June 16th. Unsurprisingly, Hero Dogs puppies seem to be especially fond of first responders!
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Hero Dogs' 4th Litter of Puppies
Have Names and Puppy Raisers!
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Hero Dogs Clara's 4th and final litter of puppies, born April 19th, are growing so quickly! They are soaking up everything they are learning in Puppy Class and at home with their puppy raisers, with whom they went home in late June. It was around the same time that the puppies officially received their names! Chosen by the puppies' sponsors, their names honor veterans, first responders, and historical figures.
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Service Dogs in Training Complete
a Fairy Tale Challenge
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Earlier this year, several service dogs in training (and two Hero Dogs therapy dogs!) took on a challenge to star in their own fairy tales! In their tale, dogs had to complete at least ten different skills and were allowed to utilize costumes, props, and supporting actors. They did a great job and we're thrilled to share them with you!
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Hero Dogs
Roo & Norm Begin
Advanced Training
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Hero Dogs Roo (left) and Hero Dogs Norm (right) both began Advanced Training in June. Roo joined her five siblings from the second litter of Hero Dogs' Breeding Program and Norm was the first from the third litter! We look forward to seeing both dogs continue their training and work toward their future careers.
Follow their training on Instagram:
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Hero Dogs Nevada
Starts Her New Job
as a Facility Dog!
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We are proud to announce that Hero Dogs Nevada has found her career as a facility dog! She has been partnered with school resource officer Sgt. Carrado and will provide comfort to students and faculty, the Frederick Police Department family, and at community outreach events. We know she’ll keep making us proud in her new placement!
Read the City of Frederick's News Flash article here.
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Huge thank you to everyone who participated in the Hero Dogs 5K9—runners, walkers, sponsors, donors, bidders, and more! The event was a great success, raising over $50,000 for our programs! We have several links for you to check out below:
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Click here to see all Instagram posts tagged with #HeroDogs5K9!
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Click here to see the winners of the Hero Dogs 5K9 fundraising and photo contests!
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Even the littlest Hero Dogs did their part! Click here to see a video of the Litter 4 puppies completing their "Puppy 1K" nature walk at 6 weeks old!
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Please note: Until further notice, all Hero Dogs trainings will be held via webinar. |
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Check out this adorable clip of Hero Dogs Clara saying goodbye to her puppies before they went to live with their puppy raisers!
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Proud to be named "One of the Best" Nonprofits in the Greater Washington
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