C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dogs

A hearty "Congratulations!" to our new therapy teams! After 4 months of weekly classes, tons of homework, frequent skills evaluations and written tests, these new teams are off to spread the joy inherent in the canine/human bond! Several of our new teams are already making visits, sharing their special canine friends with people in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities around the greater St. Louis area. We had TWO great classes this spring, and a wide variety of breeds, too. If you're interested in joining our fall daytime class, please give us a call at the office (314) 653-9466. We're scheduling temperament evaluations now.

Congratulations and THANK YOU to our 2010 Therapy Teams!

We thought you might enjoy a few photos of our beautiful little girl, Shasta. She is absolutely delightful! Clever, sweet, and beautiful, plus an added bonus... just nine weeks old and already sleeping through the night. :)) Ya GOTTA love that!

These photos (except for the one above) were taken at the Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic, and Correctional Center (aka WERDCC), run by the Missouri Department of Corrections. The prison is in Vandalia, MO, and we go up there each week to work with the offenders who are helping us train CHAMP service dogs. Shasta isn't yet old enough to live on-site, but we like to take the babies up for the day so 1) they can get familiar with the setting and the sounds, and meet lots of people, plus 2) the ladies get a special treat (look at those smiles!) and 3) the prison staff also get the special treat of meeting the new baby. It is ALL positive and everyone really looks forward to the visits.

All of our trainers got to hold her and play with her, and we even did a little training! The trainers sat in a small circle and we played "pass the puppy", which is just as it sounds. Puppy is handled, snuggled, we play with her feet and ears, etc., then pass her to the next person for more of the same, without her little paws ever touching the ground. In one of the photos, one of our trainers is starting her on "fingerhold", which is our first step in teaching the "hold." She's so smart, she figured out the game very quickly.... hold the item (finger) in your mouth without struggling or biting down too hard to earn a yummy treat! It's a fun game for the puppies and she was all over it, LOL!

Shasta was generously donated to CHAMP by her very kind breeder, who wanted to help in our efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities. We are grateful for the opportunity, and look forward to watching her grow and excel in our program. She's stolen our hearts already! Be sure to check back for updates on Shasta!

CHAMP service dogs-in-training and therapy dog teams helped kick off the 68th Annual Shrine Circus, marching in the 2010 Shriner’s parade in historic downtown St. Charles. Over 100 parade units participated, including several bands, LOTS of clowns, horses, floats, and, of course, the men in the "funny red hats" in the festive little cars. We were happy to help spread cheer to the many spectators!

“The Circus with a Purpose" raises funds to support the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, specializing in Orthopedics, Burns, Spinal Cord Injury, and Cleft Lip and Palate services. We had a great time, and were happy to help promote this worthwhile event and great organization.

Twice a year we receive permission to hold a parade at WERDCC, the Missouri prison where our dogs receive much of their training. The parades are always a huge hit, and we receive requests from throughout the institution to stop by their respective areas.

Our 2009 Winter Parade was bone-chillingly cold! One of the coldest days of the year, so far. Fun costumes this year... Santa, elves, reindeer, sugar plum fairies, a snow angel, and the cutest little snowman around!

After the parade we went back to the housing unit to warm up, and then played CHAMP Bingo, Tic-Tac-Toe (with dogs, of course), and a crazy potato-relay game that I wish I had on video! Maybe next year...