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

Find us on FaceBook!

Join all those in the Summit Family both four legged, and hominid on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7080623401#!/group.php?gid=7080623401

2009 Graduation Honors Four More Matches, Bringing Us To 46 Graduate Pairs

There were smiles, cheers and happy tears as we honored the four most recent
additions to our Summit family of graduate pairs – Taysen Langstraat of Lynden with
Jackson, GJ Leptien of Portland with Zoey, Lynne Kovacich of Spokane Valley with
Adams and Eric Rea of Seattle with Titus. These four bring our nine-year total to 46 lives
changed for the better through the help and companionship of an assistance dog.
We also honored the puppy raisers and trainers who prepared these four wonderful
dogs for their new lives. Jackson’s puppy raiser was Christy Durham of Sedro Woolley,
and staff trainer Wendy McDougal did his advanced training. Zoey’s puppy raiser was
Diana Smith of Anacortes, who also was his volunteer advanced trainer. Adams was
raised and put through advanced training by volunteer Jan Hemme of Anacortes.
Summit staff trainer Lisa Freshour started out raising Titus when she was a volunteer
and became his advanced trainer when she joined our staff last year,
Eric Rea, speaking on behalf of this year’s graduating class, talked about how
dramatically his life has changed since he was paired with Titus last spring. He
reiterated what we hear from our graduates over and over again. In addition to the
helpful tasks they perform, these dogs help build bridges and new friendships, create
independence and hope-filled lives, reduce depression and loneliness, and of course,
give unconditional love.
It takes a lot to make these miracles happen. To produce 46 great service dogs, we
have rescued more than 200 dogs and raised more than 150 puppies. Hundreds of
volunteers have given countless hours to raise, train and socialize puppies, help us
around our office and volunteer for events. More than 3,200 generous donors have
supported us financially through the years. Without them, we would not have been
able to change these 46 lives.
We also extend a special thanks to the sponsors who helped make our 2009
graduation ceremony a wonderful event. Christine Coco, photography; Nancy Nielsen,
handmade personalized quilts for the graduates; Jan Hemme and Barb Clark, the 2009
slide show; David Lorenz & Team at Starbucks Redmond Center Store 349, coffee;
Elaine Montgomery, cakes.
Many volunteers also helped us with set up, clean up and other event tasks.