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 at both places where the dogs were trained—in the morning at the Nebraska State Penitentiary and again in the afternoon at the Lincoln Correctional Center. Each dog was individually trained with an inmate to meet their needs and help them lead a more independent life.

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. 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 501(c)(3) 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.