Natalie and Apollo Update!
Many of you might remember Natalie & Apollo from Vanderpump Dogs on PeacockTV - we have an update on their pairing! As you can expect, training a rescued dog to be a service animal is a long process and there can be many difficulties and obstacles. Apollo started out training in our Veterans Program, and then became the ideal dog for Natalie, who approached us looking for a service dog to help her with her needs. While the pair bonded and began training, it became clear that what Natalie really needed was a Mobility Service Dog – and despite Apollo’s training, he would not be ready for this for a very long time, if ever. Luckily, after a long search for the perfect fit, we joined forces with MobilityServiceDogs – an organization that specializes in Mobility Service Dogs perfect for Natalie’s needs! Natalie is now MobilityDog's newest handler, with her new service dog Roxy!
MobilityDog advances FUNctional independence for the disabled community through service dogs, education, and empowerment. It takes about 18 months of training and 2 months of transitioning to create a Service Dog Team. At MobilityDog.org, the dogs are placed with Puppy Raisers for 17 months and their S.T.A.R, CGC, CGCI, and CGCU are completed. At 18 months, they spend two months at "puppy boot camp" with a Certified Service Dog Trainer (CSDT), expanding their tasking skills and at 20 months, they are paired with their disabled handlers to prepare for the Public Access Test & Tasking. Every one of their dogs is trained to work with mobility challenges as a service dog; a service dog works at your side as a team player, whereas a guide dog guides.
Natalie and her new service dog partner Roxy have followed this process becoming a working Service Dog Team! Congratulations Natalie and Roxy – we are so happy we could connect you and can’t wait to see your adventures together! We love when different organizations can come together and make positive change! Apollo is also on his way to a new life – he has reentered our Vanderpump Veterans Program and has been training with Madeline Quint to be a PTSD service dog. We are currently working with the Raven Drum Foundation to find the perfect Veteran in need for him, and can’t wait to update you on his progress.
