Meet our 2010 Teams!

Dana and Marley

Dana, who lives in East Wenatchee, Washington, was matched with professional therapy dog Marley in April of 2010.  Dana is pursuing a career in Long-Term Care Administration and recently earned his Nursing Home Administrator’s License and his Assisted Living Administrator’s License.  He wanted a professional therapy dog to brighten the lives of people living in long-term care facilities.  Marley rises to the occasion every day when she accompanies Dana to work and brings sunshine and smiles to the residents at his facility.

Louise and Cloud

Louise, who lives in Seattle, had to have one of her legs amputated above the knee due to a post-surgery infection.  She uses a manual wheelchair, and cloud is able to help her with tasks like opening and closing doors and retrieving dropped items.  Louise works at the University of Washington’s Cascadia campus two days a week and uses public transportation to get to work, with Cloud at her side and always eager to help.  She was paired with Cloud, a lovely Yellow Lab, in April of 2010 after a three-year wait as an applicant.  They bonded very quickly and have become a wonderful partnership.

Sherry and Luc

Sherry, of Orcas Island, Washington, was paired with service dog Luc during our spring team training back in April, and her life has changed dramatically since Luc came into her life.   She says he has brought incredible joy to her life and helped make her more approachable.  Sherry has primary lateral sclerosis, a progressive disorder that affects her speech and mobility.  Luc helps her with a variety of tasks, including picking up items that she drops, opening doors, and transferring laundry from the dryer to the clothes basket. He also braces her if she starts to fall.  Luc knows many other commands, but it’s obvious there is much more to their relationship.

Graduation October 17th!

Join us in celebrating our newest teams and meet establish teams!
Graduation
Sunday, October 17, 2010
2 p.m.
Highland Community Center
14224 NE Bel Red Rd.
Bellevue, WA

Summit Assistance Dogs Day of Caring: September 24th, 2010

You can make a difference in the lives of people living with disabilities, while enjoying the company of our wonderful dogs and puppies on the Day of Caring with Summit Assistance Dogs, September 24th, 2010!

 

Summit Assistance Dogs is a registered non-profit organization based in Anacortes, WA., that provides highly-skilled mobility, hearing and therapy dogs for people with disabilities. Today Microsoft has many employees volunteering with Summit through puppy raising and a myriad of other activities.

 

Because of Summit’s home location, we are unable to register our project with the United Way of King County but we are every bit as desirous of your generosity of time and spirit that day and all year round.  More info about us and additional opportunities at www.summitdogs.org. 

 

On September 24^th, we promise a fun day for all, but especially our four-legged “volunteers” who will be the focus of your attention that day. 

 

As in previous years we will have 2 locations:

 

Issaquah, 98027  -  10422- 240th Place SE, approx 4 miles south of Sammamish campus.

• Activities to include:  Play, exercise, then bathe our dogs; clean the Summit van.
• 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM approx
• Lunch provided
• Up to 30 people needed

 

Anacortes, 98221 - 12549 Christianson Rd.

• Activities to include:  Play, exercise, then bathe our dogs; clean the Summit van.
• 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM approx
• Lunch provided
• Up to 20 people needed

 

To register, or if you have any questions, contact me (DonnellB) directly via email or office phone (425) 707-2098.  Maps and further details will be sent with registration.

 

Inmates, dogs team up-Herald.Net

Monroe prisoners train the animals to see if they have what it takes to serve those with disabilities.

By Andy Rathbun
Herald Writer

MONROE — Wayne Anderson didn’t mind cramming a dog crate into his tiny prison cell at the Monroe Correctional Complex.

In truth, the convicted murderer signed up for the honor.

For the past eight weeks, Anderson participated in a program where inmates helped train rescued dogs, to see if the animals could serve people with disabilities. Read More About the Prison Program
Apply to Adopt a Summit Career Change Dog

Finding the Right Job for the Dog

Luc was originally trained to be guide dog for the blind. After he developed food allergies, he was donated to Summit Assistance, an organization based in Anacortes that provides highly skilled mobility, hearing and therapy dogs for people with disabilities. The average waiting time for applications is two to five years, as dogs undergo advanced training before they are ready to be placed. Read more about Sherry and Luc

New prison partnership is “win-win-win” program

May 18 was the official launch date of a new dog housing and training program we have been developing with the Monroe Correctional Complex, Washington state’s largest prison facility.
“This is a win-win-win program,” said Sue Meinzinger, Summit’s Executive Director. “It’s a win for us because it expands our housing and training resources, making more dogs available to people with disabilities. It’s a win for the inmates because it teaches them skills they can use when they are released, and more than 90 percent of them will be. And finally, it’s a win for homeless shelter dogs, who will be given a new leash on life."
Carefully screened, selected and supervised inmates are being trained by Summit staff to work with dogs we rescue from shelters. Initially, four dogs were placed with eight inmates, so each dog has a primary and a secondary trainer.
After eight weeks, we will consult with the inmates to determine which dogs to retain for advanced training with our professional trainers and which to adopt out as family pets. Then a new round of dogs will be brought in for another eight weeks of inmate training and evaluation.
“This is a captive audience that increases our training resources and exposes the dogs to a variety of situations,” Sue said. “The inmates have shown us the utmost respect, and they are eager to learn, are reading their training manuals and are coming well prepared to our twice-weekly training classes.”
During this economic recession, when most nonprofit organizations are scaling back on programs, we are proud to be expanding our services to the community. Our paroled pups are sure to change many lives."
Fiona is recently graduated from this program and is ready for her forever home... are you ready for her? Learn more about Fiona

Summit Dogs are family even to each other.Shiloh and Scout were both rescued in 2008 and placed with their partners Melissa (Shiloh) and Anne (Scout) in 2009. Melissa and Anne were friends before they got these dogs who as you can see are friends. Both people are partnered with their second dogs.
Scout shared his mat with Shiloh during a Puget Sound Assistance Dog Club Meeting.

From Summit Assistance Dogs

From Summit Assistance Dogs