Domesti-PUPS Celebrates Service and Therapy Dog Graduations

Domesti-PUPS (www.domesti-pups.org) held a graduation ceremony for three service dog teams and one Edu-PUP (classroom therapy dog) on October 15. The ceremony was held in the morning at the Nebraska State Penitentiary and again in the afternoon at the Lincoln Correctional Center.

The service dog teams that were placed include two wheelchair/mobility support dogs, a combination mobility/diabetic and alert/seizure response dog. Recipients of the dogs are from Lincoln, Firth, and Orleans, NE. Each dog was trained either in the Nebraska State Penitentiary or the Lincoln Correctional Center by inmates. Each dog was individually trained for its recipient to meet their needs, and help them lead more independent lives.

The Edu-PUPS (classroom therapy dog) is being placed in a school in Lincoln. Classroom dogs are innovative teaching tools as the dogs are non-judgmental and unconditionally loving. They bring a renewed inspiration and excitement to the learning process and motivate students. They also help develop self-esteem, responsibility, motivation, self-discipline, and communication skills.

Domesti-PUPS is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Lincoln. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with special needs through the assistance of animals, and to promote awareness through education.

For more information on service, therapy, or companion dogs, email info@domesti-pups.org or visit www.domesti-pups.org.