Our DD Blogs

Axel is a husband, father of two children, and a veteran who served three tours of active duty in Afghanistan and Haiti. He also suffers from PTSD. He was partnered with Tucker, a Brittany, to help with his symptoms. Axel is grateful for the flexibility and accommodation that he experienced as he worked together with Deafinitely Dogs! Before meeting Tucker, Axel and his wife, Ashlyn, had been talking with Deafinitely Dogs! about eventually getting a service dog for their young son who was born with a visual impairment. During those conversations, it became apparent that Axel would also benefit from...

 In 2007, a baby girl was born in a remote part of China. Liz spent the first 18 months of her life in an orphanage. Her albinism (lack of pigmentation) meant that she looked very different from the other children in the orphanage. She didn’t receive the same nurturing and care there, which led to some developmental delays. Liz finds her family Despite the circumstances, Liz’s future parents knew she would complete their family. After six long months of paperwork, Liz arrived in the United States to join her loving family. She finally began receiving the medical care and attention...

Megan first came to Deafinitely Dogs! when she was in her early 20s and a college student. Suffering from extreme anxiety and depression, Megan had been doing research on service dogs but didn’t feel she would be able to travel to seek help. Then she happened to see a local news story about Deafinitely Dogs! and was thrilled to learn that there was a local service dog organization that could help. When Megan met Epic Megan came to Deafinitely Dogs!, where we followed our usual process. We introduced her to a couple of dogs and let them interact. We let...

Maddy is a young girl that came to us with obsessive-compulsive tendencies as well as severe anxiety and depression. Despite a great support system from her family and medical staff, her symptoms were debilitating. Her condition affected every aspect of her life. During anxiety attacks, she would exhibit repetitive behaviors that, in turn, caused her to withdraw, lose friends, and miss 122 days of school in one school year. A new approach for Maddy’s care She and her family tried many options, including in-patient and out-patient counseling. Nothing was working. Her doctor said it was the worst level of anxiety...

On November 22nd, Zach graduated from Service Dog in Training to Service Dog and was partnered with his person, Angel. Angel is a veteran who served in the Army National Guard and the Navy; being deployed twice. Zach is now helping Angel live a more independent life! Zach was named after a fallen Eastern Iowa Marine. Click here to check out KCRG’s story and video on the graduation! Do you think a Service Dog will help you live a more independent life? Click here to learn how to apply for a Service Dog.

On December 7th 2018, Dayton graduated and was partnered with his person, Heather. Heather is our first female veteran, serving in the US Marine Corps, to be placed with a service dog. “It’s great we were able to place our first female veteran. A lot of veterans don’t ask for help especially female veterans. But Heather came to us and we were able to help her and it’s an amazing feeling,” said Sherry, co-founder.   Click here to check out KCRG’s story and video on the graduation! Do you think a Service Dog will help you live a more independent...