Our winner for May 2017, Women's Crisis Services.

This meeting saw a second presentation from Strong Start to Reading, as well as The Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and the education arm of the Drayton Theatre. Women’s Crisis Services was the members’ favourite.

Rocky

Here's an update from National Service Dogs, our very first recipient in August 2015.

Meet Rosco, Rocky, Rudy, Rocco and Rosie.

The NSD "R" litter was born to NSD Diamond and NSD Vedo on May 12, 2016. The R Litter is almost 11 months old. Yes puppies do grow quickly. They will spend approximately two years training to be future life-changers as they reach their Certified Service Dog designation. Thank you for being an important part of their journey.

At 11 months old, they been socialized well and life experiences are growing daily. A puppy of this age may test the handler to see how much they can get away with. Fortunately, our puppy raisers are prepared for this and are one step ahead. Increased expectations at this age help keep them motivated. Food rewards and physical praise keep him on track. Their puppy raisers are now seeing the benefits of consistency and calmness in training. Gentle massage and regular daily grooming help the handlers assert themselves in a quiet and non-invasive manner. These exercises also prepare the pups for massage during advanced training and handling during veterinary exams.

The early excursions and situations are now being expanded upon. Testing in new environments with unfamiliar people such as clowns, mannequins, people in uniform or places with strange smells such as hospitals, pet shops, and farmer's markets are a regular occurrence. Puppy classes will include trips to the park, pet stores and department stores. Spacious training areas like parks and busy pet stores, malls and department stores present all sorts of distractions that are hard for some pups to resist at first. With practice and patience, the R litter is gradually learning to focus on their handlers and not on the environment.

They still have a lot of learning and growing to do before returning to the NSD kennel for advanced training. NSD puppies-in-training are continuously evaluated for personality, fitness and skill which will help determine which NSD program they are best suited for and eventually will be assigned to. National Service Dogs puppies have been bred for temperament and physicality. A calm and confident temperament will ensure their success.

Puppy sponsorship is a vital part of an NSD puppy's journey from pup to working service dog. During Spring team training and the graduation of 15 more life-changing dogs, we are reminded of your generosity. We could not do this vital work without you! Thank you for helping.

From left: Paula Prong, Tana Nash (Exec. Director of WRSPC), Nancy Silcox (100 Women), and Franz Henke.

Our first meeting of 2017 saw Science for youth being brought to members’ attention with a presentation from the Waterloo-Wellington Science and Engineering Fair. Presentations from the Suicide Prevention Waterloo Region and a second presentation from the Wilmot Family Resource Centre rounded out a varied evening. The Suicide Prevention representatives were delighted to garner most of the group’s votes.

Community Care Concepts, Greening the Glen (Forest Glen School’s ecology program) and Nithview Community for Seniors presented to our growing number of members. Community Care Concepts went home with our collected membership’s donation.

Our summer meeting brought members’ attention to youth with a presentation from Morningstar Ministries; to family pets and their care with The Farley Foundation, and towards people with intellectual disabilities with K-W Habilitation. Morningstar Ministries captured the most votes.

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