February 2015
The NSD Scoop
It’s Easter Egg Hunt Season!
The NSD Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs and their Families is only weeks away! Have you registered yet for Good
Friday, April 3, 2015? NSD Finnigan wants to remind you that new this year every hunt location will award a
grand prize of a Bissell DeepClean Lift-Off carpet cleaner package to the highest pledge earner (retail value
$359)! Start collecting your pledges today! Register online HERE!
•
www.nsd.on.ca
•
[email protected]
•
519-623-4188
•
NSD Spotlight
NSD Simba and Shelby were matched in October of 2014 through the Certified Service Dogs for PTSD program.
We are thrilled they are doing so well. Thank you to everyone who made their story possible and to Shelby for
sharing her incredible journey
gust telling me that she wanted to meet with me for coffee, I was excited but a little bit worried that I would be
getting bad news. Over the years I came to expect the
worst in every situation so that no matter the turnout I
wouldn't be disappointed, if anything, relieved. But that
meeting proved to be far from a disappointment. It was
the beacon of new hope for me. I met Simba that day
and I instantly fell in love. He never left my mind after
that. I prayed and hoped that by some grace of God, he
would become my dog.
I'm writing to everyone involved at National Service
dogs to share what an amazing difference Simba has
made thanks to all of you. There's no true way to express my appreciation but this is my best effort.
I spent about five years in a hole of depression battling
my PTSD. It seemed I tried everything that might help
me want to live again. I had lost all hope. After my fifth
and final suicide attempt and all the options my family
knew of were exhausted, my mom heard about National Service Dogs through a friend. It was about three
years ago. She got in contact with the Client Services
Coordinator, Tamara Leniew, who started the whole
process of what would soon change my life. I don't
think I was someone who would normally be put on the
waiting list for a service dog because I'm not a veteran,
but Tamara and Executive Director, Dani Forbes,
opened their hearts to my mom's story of her struggle
to keep me alive and they put me on the waiting list.
At that time I solely believed nothing would come from
it. I'd gotten used to the idea that I would never feel
happiness like other people and I would always be consumed by my flashbacks and nightmares, feeling alone
with my PTSD. Even with my family and friends by my
side, I didn't feel I could connect or confide in anyone
with such shame on my shoulders. It was a terribly dark
time.
When I got a text message from Tamara this past Au-
• www.nsd.on.ca
Once Tamara gave me the amazing news that Simba
and I had been matched together, I started counting
down the days to Team Training. I totally disregarded
my normal routine to expect the worst because I had
never been more excited for anything in my life. I knew
I felt a connection with him that day in the coffee shop.
Even just those months of excitement brought some
peace and happiness to my household.
The first day of team training was the first day of my
happy life. Simba brought out a feeling in my heart I
had never experienced or known to exist. I didn't know
that I had the capacity to feel true happiness or security. The first night that Simba came home with me, I felt
an instant bond and it made me feel some self-worth.
This dog wanted to take care of me, he was happy to
be there for me. He didn't seem obligated but just so
sincere. That night I slept better than I ever remember
sleeping.
Simba has brought more joy into my life than I ever
thought would be possible. He's by my side everywhere
I go and people notice. I brag about him constantly. I
look at this adorable, innocent, cheerful puppy in front
of me and I see how much he does for me and he's so
happy to do it. I want to do as much as I can for him
and in turn it seems to be helping me improve as a person. I happily walk him daily and throw his ball for
hours; he's so much fun to play with and he makes me
laugh all the time. I don't find myself drifting away to
dark places as often now, but when I do fall into a
flashback, Simba notices quickly and he never hesitates to snap me out of it with a visit or some kisses.
Continued on page 3
• [email protected]
• 519-623-4188 •
NSD Spotlight
He's always there watching to see what I'm going to do
next to find out what he's going to do next. He gets
close when I sneeze or cough to make sure I'm okay.
His nightmare interruption is beyond impressive.
For the first little while after bringing him home I was
unable to get a button switch for my lights (which he
had been taught to push to turn on my lights and wake
me up from a nightmare). I had three full weeks without
any nightmares and it was miraculous. I hadn't experienced that since I was maybe twelve years old. The
first night I had a terrible nightmare with Simba, I woke
up to my precious companion licking my face and when
my eyes opened he was excited and wagging. It
brought me to tears to have so much love and support
right there waiting for me in that dark time when I'd become so use to suffering quietly and alone. That night
he walked around the house wagging his tail with me
for hours getting me back into a good mood, just happy
that I was awake and with him. He snuggles with me
every night like he wouldn't have it any other way.
When I do have to go out without him, he waits patiently for me at the door. The greeting I get when I return is
like nothing I or anyone has seen before. He goes crazy! Just happier than I've ever seen anything even
when I've only been gone ten minutes. The list of all the
support he gives me goes on and on.
want to live and I want to live it as long as I can with
Simba.
A HUGE thank you to NSD for taking me into your
hearts and carefully pairing me with one of your amazing dogs. It's been such a fabulous experience and I
wouldn't change any of it for the world. NSD is such an
amazing organization which I will advocate for as long
as I live. Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing
Simba and I together. Its the best thing to ever happen
to me.
Much love,
Shelby
I've never felt more loved, happy, hopeful, and protected than I do with Simba. He's made my life a dream
come true and I can't wait to see what the future will
bring us. NSD did an amazing job pairing the two of us
together and training him so specifically. He's the perfect dog for me and I feel like he's really happy to be
with me too. It sounds crazy that one dog could bring
so much to a person's life but it seems almost like he's
all I really needed, a companion. And with his skills to
keep me safe and happy, my mom can finally sleep at
night knowing I'll be fine in the morning.
If it wasn't for all the people involved with National Service Dogs; all the volunteers, the employees, the donors, and the sponsors, my life would not be the dream
come true it is today. I owe everyone so much and
there's no possible way to express my gratitude.
You've changed my life and this is definitely a life I
• www.nsd.on.ca
NSD Simba (left) with pals Lucy and Shadow
• [email protected]
• 519-623-4188 •
Fundraising & Friend-Raising
What if a leisurely walk to the park with your family
was out of the question. What if picking up a coffee at
your local coffee shop was impossible. Imagine a
bump by someone in a crowd sending you spinning to
a place you are trying to forget. For some, this is reality. For some, hope and help has arrived in the form of
a life-changing National Service Dog.
On April 3, your participation at the Easter Egg Hunt
for Dogs and their families, NSD’s largest annual fundraiser will help get dogs to the people who need them.
Get more information and register on-line. Please do
it today. Your participation will make a difference.
dog treats, 1000+ participants, 100+ volunteers; a day
for family, friends and fun. You don’t need to wait until April 3 to make a difference. We need your help
now with prize collection and poster distribution. Email [email protected] or [email protected]
to join our hunt volunteer force. Great prizes make a
great hunt. We are looking for electronics, collectables, children’s toys and games, dog toys/treats and
kennel/grooming packages and gift certificates of any
kind and value. Admission passes to attractions, restaurant gift cards and rounds of golf are a hit. Do you
offer dog services or products or do you know someone who does? Contact [email protected] to see how
your business can be part of this special day. Do you
live near Windsor or St. Catharines? Please be in
touch. We need you.
Mark your Calendars: July 12, 2015 - The NSD Ride
sponsored by the 1st CAV Gulf-Kuwait Unit. If you are
a rider, you don’t want to miss this great day of comradery, food and fun.
You don’t have a dog … there isn’t a hunt near you …
April 3 doesn’t work for you. You can still make a difference. Click here to go to the Easter Egg Hunt
page, scroll down and choose the “Register” tab,
choose any one of the eight locations listed to register,
it doesn’t matter which one – as you go through the on
-line registration, you will be able to select an option to
collect pledges only. You will not pay the registration
fee but you will be eligible to win numerous grand prizes awarded to the highest pledge earners at each hunt
location. Bissell Canada is awarding a Bissell
DeepClean Lift-Off carpet cleaner package valued at
$359 to the highest pledge earner at each hunt location! Wherever you live in Canada, we will get your
prize to you. Collect pledges of $100 or more and you
will receive a National Service Dogs t-shirt.
Eight cities, hundreds of prizes, 1000+ dogs, 1000+
• www.nsd.on.ca
Friend-Raising
On February 4, 2015, the grandmother of one of our
clients took 5 minutes to tell “100 Women Who Care
Clarington” what her grandson’s future National Service Dog for Autism would mean to her and her family.
NSD was voted the charity of choice at that evening’s
meeting and on February 4, NSD made many new
friends. Thank you Susan Bonnell for spreading the
word!
“The ‘100 Women Who Care Clarington’ chapter is a
group of local women who are interested in making an
immediate, direct and positive effect within the Clarington Region by contributing 100% of our donations to
local charities.”
Thank you 100 Women Who Care Clarington! When
you see James and his dog out and about this summer, you will see the “immediate, direct and positive
effect” you have made.
National Service Dogs counts on community support
to get specially trained dogs to the people who need
them. Please … spread the word.
Judy Frank, Fundraising Coordinator
• [email protected]
• 519-623-4188 •
Breeding Program Update
Equoia is now close to retirement after a wonderful
breeding career. She’ll soon be spayed and then will
stay with Jen and Ron and live the “good life” that she
so deserves. One of her daughters is about to begin
her breeding clearances so we will be keeping our fingers crossed that all goes well when the time comes.
Garry Stephenson, Breeding & Puppy Program
Manager
NSD Oscar with daughter, Amira, of the A Litter
A new and exciting year is ahead of us in the breeding
program. We’ve always managed to meet the demands of NSD’s many programs and we’re already off
to a good start for 2015. We started the year with Isla
being bred to Oscar. This will be Isla’s last litter as
she’s due to retire later this year. Isla is one of the
most laid back and non dramatic broods that we have
on the program. Puppies will be due in early March.
Next we bred Nellie and again Oscar’s name was top
of the list when we were looking for husband material.
Last year’s Oscar and Nellie tryst sent us the Irish litter. They are all well on their way to be service dogs
for our four programs. Puppies will be due later in
March or early April.
Eden looks like she’s next in line. Her “A” litter from
last year are looking good so we’re going for another
repeat breeding with Oscar. I think I’m Oscar’s most
favourite person since whenever I visit I always bring a
“Friend” for him.
With springtime just around the corner I’m sure that the
warmer weather will help the rest of our broods feel
more romantic. Our latest team member Lab/Bernese
female Tessa will be bred this time around and we are
hopeful she follows in the footsteps of her Mom “Missy”
and her sister “Nellie”. Of course Frodo, Betta and
Missy will all have their chance to hear the patter of
tiny feet whenever they feel up to the challenge. Come
on girls...we’re waiting!
• www.nsd.on.ca
NSD Gracie, Equoia’s final pup is doing well.
Make sure you stay tuned to our Facebook page for
the latest news and photos from our Puppy Program.
• [email protected]
• 519-623-4188 •
Puppy Program Update
More Raisers Needed!
The Puppy Program operates within Waterloo Region;
London, Stratford and surrounding areas are
included in our catchment area. For more information
on puppy raising please visit our website. Select the
Volunteer Page for the online application form.
Puppy update
The Tali “F” litter and Equoia’s puppy have begun their
training classes. They all look good and there are just
a couple that present challenges to their new handlers.
All typical puppy behaviours are to be expected at this
stage. My how they’ve grown in that short time! It
doesn’t seem like five minutes since they were born
and learning how to nurse. Right now they are at
their cheeky and exploratory, testing stage.
With the expansion of NSD’s new programs we will be
looking for more puppy raisers to take on the challenge
for the many puppies we hope will be born this year.
We have been blessed with having lots of puppies at
Guelph University as the puppies are socialised from
the beginning. Attending classes and meeting people
from an early age is crucial for the development of a
future service dog. Last year the university placed a
cap on the number of dogs allowed on campus at any
one time which is restrictive to all the service dog
schools that have puppies in Guelph. We are at our
limit in Guelph but applications from other universities
are always welcome.
Raising a service dog puppy is demanding but has
great rewards to the raiser and the eventual recipient.
Families are always welcomed if you can open your
home to a puppy. Our puppies get first-hand experience in family life and your family can have fun learning all about the responsibilities of dog ownership. The
commitment to aim for is 18 months. Puppy
classes take place on Monday evenings for the first
few months and then reduce to bi-weekly and eventually monthly. This program is for those who are active
and physically fit since the demands of exercise and
training are daily aspects in the life of a puppy.
• www.nsd.on.ca
Keeping your dog healthy
With this bitter cold spell we must take care not to expose the puppy/dog to extremely cold temperatures.
Small dogs lose heat through their pads and with little
body mass to retain heat they soon become subject to
hypothermia. Seven to ten minutes outside in a yard is
more than enough time. If they are out leash walking
then 20 minutes should be ample time. Remember not
to leave them in your car as vehicles become more like
refrigerators than modes of transport at this time of
year.
With older puppies and larger dogs the main problem
is salt in their pads so a regular foot wash may be advisable if you’re walking on gritted and salted sidewalks. An older puppy should easily be able to complete a walk in the cold for 30 minutes or more and
will enjoy an off leash romp in the snow to prevent cabin fever. It’s hard for us humans to get motivated when
it’s cold and snowy but our dogs rely on us to keep daily routines as normal as possible. A tired dog is a happy dog but an exuberant young dog can be problematic when not given exercise. Mall walks are of great
benefit at this time of the year. It’s a great opportunity
for training out and socialization.
Hopefully, spring is just around the corner!
Garry Stephenson, Breeding & Puppy Program
Manager
• [email protected]
• 519-623-4188 •
Through the Trainer’s Eyes
With new tools and treats and lots of learning,
Their progress is nothing short of affirming.
Each new face is a challenge and a fresh start,
Each new face has energy and a bounding heart.
Each new dog will have a promising career,
Each new dog will make a special family cheer.
All our dogs are special, true gifts,
And it’s the trainers’ job to find their best fit.
PTSD, CAI, Autism or Companion,
Every dog will be someone’s champion.
We know you've been sneaking peeks at Facebook,
But our pictures are only there as a hook.
"So what happens to each dog?", you’re curious, we
see!
NSD Tilly, Tucker and Tala
NSD Strangers
Well…you’ll just have to wait patiently.
The NSD house has opened for strangers,
Some may even call them “teenagers.”
As fourteen new noses scope out the house,
They see if they can take a nap on a couch.
Amy Hucal, NSD Trainer
But alas, our strangers have a lot to learn,
Some may even call our rules stern!
But these strangers have big shoes to fill,
Though they aren’t yet aware of this new bill.
They wiggle and sneak and walk and run,
All in the hopes of new friends and great fun.
Some are excited, others seem lost,
All are content, some aren’t sure who’s boss!
“Who are these strangers?” you ask us with glee!
Well, it’s the new NSD Spring Family!
Fourteen new dogs have checked out their digs,
Started their training (and even tried on some wigs).
The first two weeks are spent in quiet and calm,
House rules are learned (from someone like mom).
Rules and boundaries are very important,
Because some doggy brains can be rusty and
dormant.
NSD Uley and Urban
But never fear, the trainers abound
To help these strangers make leaps to astound.
• www.nsd.on.ca
• [email protected]
• 519-623-4188 •
In Memoriam
We remember our dear friends who passed away in 2014. “So long old pal”.
NSD Cargo
Cargo, my precious Cargo, you
were truly man's best friend
You were my best friend, until
the end. I remember how much
you loved winter. The snowflakes danced, when you
jumped, skipped, and pranced.
Though I know you're not beside me, and have become a star, I hope you can hear me, wherever you
are. And know that I love you, wherever you go; I'll remember the prints you made in my heart, and in the
snow. Love, Annika
NSD Riley
Our thoughts go out to Andrew
and Lauralee Hall and their
family. Riley was very influential
in our breeding program and
produced wonderful service
dogs and breeders over the
years. Riley was a pleasure to
work with; he had a sweet and gentle nature. Rest in
peace old guy.
NSD Diamond
We mourn the loss of our dear
sweet Diamond who passed
away in the summer of 2014.
Diamond was a character!! She
brought so much to our family
with her personality, love and
devotion. In service with
Michael since May of 2008, she was a constant companion and his best friend. Michael and Mackenzie in
their own words describe Diamond as “Someone who
always made me feel happy and safe. She would take
up the whole bed at night and would snore. Diamond
would always lick my tears away and make me feel
better when I was sad!” Diamond will be missed by
each and every one in our family, including NSD
Lucky, our current service dog, who misses playing
with her friend and mentor.
• www.nsd.on.ca
NSD Hali
Hali, short for Halifax, was born
in Nova Scotia and donated by
Skyland Kennels. Hali found
her forever home with Jonathan in NB and was his faithful
service dog for many
years. She was a god send
and saved his life too many times to count, an amazing, loving girl, we miss her very much.
NSD Juno
It was with great sadness that
we said goodbye to NSD Juno
in 2014. As our first PTSD
Service Dog he was a trailblazer and wonderful ambassador for this new and exciting
NSD program. In the words
of his best buddy, "Juno was an incredible dog who
helped me tremendously when I needed it the
most. It's never easy to say goodbye, especially to
one as young as Juno, but NSD was with me every
step of the way and for that I will always be grateful. Goodbye Juno, you will always be remembered."
I think dogs are the most
amazing creatures; they give
unconditional love. For me,
they are the role model for
being alive.
~ Gilda Radner
• [email protected]
• 519-623-4188 •
Purina Pro Plan Select
Look for Purina Pro Plan’s new
packaging
The next time you go to pick up your dog’s favourite bag of Purina Pro Plan, look for Select brand,
carefully crafted nutrition-allowing your dog’s natural greatness to fully shine through. Select brand
food is formulated without corn, wheat or soy. It is easily digestible and gentle on the digestive system.
“Since 2003, National Service Dogs (NSD) has been proud to be part of the Nestle Purina family.
Over the years, Purina Pro Plan has fed generations of National Service Dogs. At any given time,
NSD has 100 dogs going through the Service Dog Program and they are all maintained on Pro
Plan Diets.” Danielle Forbes, Executive Director, NSD
• www.nsd.on.ca
• [email protected]
• 519-623-4188 •