Dog transformation stories dominate social media sites, tugging on heartstrings and showcasing the lasting impact humanity can have in the lives of animals. Transformation is all about changing the lives of dogs, their eventual recipients, and the generous people who donate time or money, ensuring that everyone lives happily ever after.
At Putnam Service Dogs, seeing the bond develop between these incredible animals and their recipients drives our mission to transform unwanted rescue dogs into capable and loving service animals that are highly valued members of their community. Since 2016, our service dog charity has laid a foundation as an organization to help as many people and dogs as possible. With your help, we will continue to help many more in the years to come.
Why Transforming the Lives of Rescue Dogs Is Important
Dogs – including some rescue dogs – can be genetically predisposed to live among and serve humans. Some studies1 have confirmed that dogs look into human companions’ eyes in an effort to communicate their devotion, and others measured dogs’ brain waves as they interacted with different people. Familiar people’s sounds and smells alike triggered positive responses in the dogs’ brains, proof that dogs desire to be part of our lives – and they yearn to make us happy.
The demand for service dogs is incredible. Our goal is to help meet the overwhelming need for service dogs, facilitating as many beautiful bonds as possible.
What It Takes to Create Dog Transformation Stories
Dog transformation stories are not created by accident, nor are they one-off tales that require small miracles (although sometimes we feel like raising and training service dogs is a miracle!). These stories are the result of a strong desire to transform unwanted rescue dogs into skilled service animals who improve the wellbeing of individuals with disabilities.
Adopting Rescue Dogs in Westchester, NY and New Fairfield, CT
Rescue dogs are the first chapter in any heartwarming dog transformation story. We connect with reputable rescue groups and shelters in the Westchester, NY area, carefully choosing rescue pups that display a specific set of characteristics and mannerisms becoming of a future service dog. Frankie, one of our most recently adopted dogs, was found on the side of the road in Mississippi. Today, Frankie has grown and is thriving in his service dog training. It’s hard to believe this healthy, happy, tall dog was ever a tiny, abandoned 3-week-old pup on the side of a road.
Socialization Assessment
Socialization is a huge part of service dog training. We use socialization assessments not only as strong indicators of a puppy’s future personality, but also to assess how a puppy will react in a wide range of situations. Our Socialization Assessment Form consists of a list of venues and rankings of how a pup fares when he is brought to each venue by his raiser or one of our trainers. By rating the pup on a 1-5 scale while at that venue, we can track how well each dog will do if granted Public Access as a graduated service dog. In this way, we’re able to focus on venues the pup has challenges with to improve his performance and comfort level while visiting them.
House Manners Assessment
An impeccable behaved dog is a key aspect of a service dog. Our House Manners Assessment form is a list of aspects regarding house manners, including rushing the door, counter surfing, jumping on people, jumping on furniture, etc. We use this form to focus on areas in the pup’s training that need more improvement. By rating the pup on a scale of 1-5 on a monthly basis for each of these aspects, we can track their progress.
Formal Commands Assessment
Service dogs are expected to be consistent and fast in performing it when a command is given to them. In order to track how well each pup is learning various commands, we use a Formal Commands Assessment Form. This form identifies several commands we feel are key for a service dog to know, such as “sit,” come”, “with me”, and “touch”, among others. Rescue dogs who display superior responsiveness for various commands prove to be invaluable to their recipient.
Dog Transformation Stories at Every Stage of the Process
At Putnam Service Dogs, even our released dogs prove valuable members of the community. While they may not have Public Access rights, these emotional support dogs are still able to transform the lives of people with disabilities or veterans with PTSD, creating many heartwarming stories about our highly sought after release dogs.
Get Involved: Help Us Create More Dog Transformation Stories!
We have been creating powerful, life changing dog transformation stories since we placed our first two service dogs in 2020. Our service dog charity relies on donors and volunteers who use their time, money, and resources to help us transform rescue dogs.
Donate to Support Our Cause
Donations are essential to Putnam Service Dogs, as the training costs for each of our service dogs exceed $50,000. That cost covers veterinary care, food, training, supplies, and more. Your donations, even small ones, add to our ability to transform the lives of rescue pups and in turn the recipients they serve. Consider becoming a monthly donor to make a big impact with small donations ($20/mo = $240/year). We’ve made the process easy! Simply visit our website to set up your monthly recurring contribution.
These donations helped transform Eddie, an audacious labrador puppy with an abundance of energy, into the perfect service dog for Sarah, with whom she formed an unbreakable friendship.
Volunteer to Foster a Puppy
Our volunteers who raise a puppy are essential to a service dog’s success. Puppy fosters open their hearts and their homes to rescue dogs, helping with everything from socialization and basic obedience to showing incredible love. Puppy fostering is a precious gift that impacts the lives of everyone involved, and while we know it isn’t for everyone, it is vital to transforming these dogs into capable service animals. Our trainers will guide you through your journey as your efforts help transform the amazing pup you live with.
Volunteer at our Fundraising Events
Our Fundraising events and campaigns are an excellent opportunity for us as a service dog charity in two very specific ways. First, it helps us bring awareness to our mission at Putnam Service Dogs, putting our name out into the community and reminding people of who we are, what we do, and why it’s important. It also enables us to raise the vital funds required to feed and house pups and dogs in training, replace equipment, train puppies and dogs, afford veterinary care, and more. Ultimately, we couldn’t do all we do without the community’s support!
Dog Transformation Stories Rely on Your Generosity
Putnam Service Dogs is committed to transforming the lives of rescue dogs, raising them to become skilled and capable service dogs. Donate or volunteer your time and expertise to help us change even more lives. There are multiple ways to make a financial contribution, including Venmo, online, in-person giving, and even Donor Advised Funds.
1 Studies:
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1820653116
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376635714000473\
- https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(14)00123-7
Nancy Teague, the founder of Putnam Service Dogs, is a dedicated advocate who embodies the mission of the organization every single day. Alongside the passionate individuals who have joined the cause, she works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of both people and dogs. With an unwavering commitment to championing service dogs, Nancy understands the transformative power that occurs when a service dog is matched with its recipient, forging a remarkable team.