A mentor for other puppies As an ambassador dog, Grace advocates for the program and assists in training other puppies but will not be paired with a human. Puppies typically look to more mature dogs to learn how to perform their tasks. Being a very neutral, happy-go-lucky dog, Grace can learn to do tasks and teach new dogs and puppies that are otherwise struggling to learn. Welcoming kids are her special skill While puppies mimic Grace, her skills extend to children who are going through the process of being paired with a service dog. Sometimes these children are apprehensive to...
Our DD Blogs
Read our blogs about our Successful Partnered Service Dogs, our Service Dogs in Training, and Meet our Super Puppy Raisers!
Meaning Behind SDiT Teigen’s Name
Names are important. They tell the world who you are, they might give a clue to your heritage, your people, or have special meaning to those who loved you first. Each of our dogs are named in honor, memory or for some other special reason. This little one has a very special name. Her name is Teigen and she shares that with a boy who lost his battle with brain cancer. Teigen’s dad told us all about his boy. What a special young man! He said Teigen was one of those kids that did things without being asked twice. He was...
2019 Golf Sponsors
Thank you to our 2019 Golf Tournament Sponsors! Our amazing community partners make lead to the success of our annual charity golf tournament. Thank you to our golf tournament sponsors for their support to Deafinitely Dogs! Please check out our sponsors and support those who are supporting the community. Title Sponsor: Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors Lunch Sponsor: Hands Up Communications Hole Sponsors: Aaron’s Lawn and Landscaping Anderson Automotive Dairy Queen of Linn County Dr. Fitzgerald & Associates Edgewood Animal Hospital Frey Pet Hospital Healogics Hills Bank Hornstein Family Iowa Retina Consultants Mercy Medical Center RL Snitker...
SDiT Identifies Objects: Learn How!
Watch the video to see how service dog in training Rocky knows how to identify objects & then scroll down to learn how to teach your own dog this task! All training is done with positive reinforcement. Training should be fun for both the trainer and the pup! Service dog in training learns to identify objects Training time! 🐾 How do you teach your dog to identify objects? Learn in a few simple steps! When beginning to teach your dog how to identify objects, start by introducing them to just one object. This could be anything from a toy, to slippers,...
Service Dog in Training Providing Joy During COVID-19
Service dog in training Clutch is providing joy during COVID-19 while visitors aren’t being allowed into care facilities. He’s doing a great job of bringing smiles to those who may be feeling lonely due to the current restrictions in place, as well as the employees who may be feeling overwhelmed by the current circumstances. Service dog in training Clutch is a 10 month old golden-doodle puppy who has the opportunity to go to work with his super puppy raiser everyday at a long-term care facility. When service dog in training Clutch goes to work, it’s normal for him to bring...
Responding to Increased Trauma and Stress
Sherry Steine Ross wrote for The Gazette, “Stress, loneliness, isolation, fear and fatigue are just a few words to describe the effects of 2020 on mental health. Deafinitely Dogs has shifted our program focus and strategies to deal with the effects of COVID19 and how people can help during the holiday season. Deafinitely Dogs had to make the difficult decision to pause training for autism, diabetic and mobility assist service dogs. After COVID invaded our community, the requests for PTSD/psychiatric service dogs and professional facility dogs have skyrocketed. Requests for professional facility dogs have been received from health care professionals,...
Canine Enrichment
What is canine enrichment? Canine enrichment is providing your dog with the opportunity to improve and enhance their mental state with a range of activities that aim to challenge and exercise their brains. Canine enrichment encourages dogs to problem solve, learn new skills, and become more confident! We love having healthy, happy, confident dogs. Ideas for canine enrichment: Long lasting chews for when you need your dog to entertain themselves for a while. What you’ll need: Kong or other stuffable toy or hollow bone (make sure to use a safe bone), wet dog food OR bone broth, broth of some...
Keep Your Pets Safe on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is about showing your appreciation to those that you love… So be sure to keep your pets safe during this time as well! Here are a few things to avoid leaving around your pets to keep your furry family members safe: Xylitol – this is a sugarless sweetener that is in many candies and gums. It is TOXIC to pets. Decorations – discarded ribbons and wrapping paper can be trouble for curious pets. Candles – a romantic dinner can become a fire hazard when pets and candles mix. Flowers – while bouquets are lovely, certain flowers are deadly...
Cutest Critter Photo Contest WINNERS!
Thank you to everyone who joined our first ever pet photo contest! We had a total of 22 entries and raised $894 dollars with your support! The top dog winner was Rudy. The prettiest bird was Luna. The pet with the most votes in a week was Kody. The top entrant with multiple dogs went to Ruby, Lily, and Pippa.
Nick & Emily: Expert Puppy Raisers
We call Nick and Emily our “super” puppy raisers. They’ve been raising puppies for Deafinitely Dogs! for more than four years. Emily first learned about Deafinitely Dogs! while at work. We were invited to speak at her office and mentioned we’re looking for people to help raise puppies into service dogs. Emily, who had no experience with dog training at the time, submitted her application that day and she and Nick have never looked back. They are currently training their third service dog for Deafinitely Dogs!. Preparing service puppies Nick and Emily train puppies from about eight weeks old to...
Animal Healing for the Lincoln Family
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...
Seeking Liz’s Future Partner
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...
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