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My new volunteering role

Rick C.

Rick C.

Site Owner
Staff member
I've got a new volunteer gig - I'm on my third week now.

I have a service dog puppy.  I'm raising and training it through National Service Dogs of Canada.  He's 11 weeks now.  He's fit into our household nicely.  Every Monday night I go train with NSD. 

In 18 months he'll finalize specialized training to make him a service dog for kids with autism, or adults with significant PTSD, if he passes all of the tests..

He's mostly black lab, but has a little swiss mountain dog for a little added size.  I've got to say - it's been great so far!
 
Right on Rick!  I am back and forth to Toronto 3 or 4 times a year now with my part time position.  I would love to connect.

All The Best!!
 
Man, that's really admirable. Obviously those dogs are really needed but I imagine it will be pretty hard to part ways when the time comes.
 
Yes, giving the dog back to the agency will be tough at 18 months, but I can then get another 8 week old puppy and start the process again.
 
I agree with the sentiment here. You're doign something truly admirable, and you're a stronger person than I am. After 18 months, there's no way I'd be able to let my puppy go.
 
You must have ice in your veins.

Kudos to you in this enterprise. Thank you for building up this community here and the community around you in meatspace.
 
That's really commendable Rick.

I'm with the others though, I'd have a hell of a time letting the little monster go.
 
That's amazing Rick. Such a great thing you are doing and yep, it will be hard to let the little one go but knowing that the dog is going to help some child is rewarding in itself.
 
It's tough. My wife and I foster dogs and have had about 15 come through our house in the last 18 months. Some are gone in a week, some in a few months. I've had a few that I got really attached too. The one we've got now is going to be really hard to give up.

We've got our own dog that we fostered at first then adopted. He's great because he takes all the foster dogs under his wing.
 
The service dog I'm raising, Onix, is doing a ton of good for me.  With my depression, I now have to get up and out of bed to walk and feed and train him.  No more laying in bed most of the day.  I'm on a much needed routine.

It'll be hard to part with him at 18 months, but I can always look forward to getting another one at that time.
 
Rick said:
The service dog I'm raising, Onix, is doing a ton of good for me.  With my depression, I now have to get up and out of bed to walk and feed and train him.  No more laying in bed most of the day.  I'm on a much needed routine.

It'll be hard to part with him at 18 months, but I can always look forward to getting another one at that time.
Click to expand...

I'm so glad to hear that, Rick!

PS: Teach Onix Rock Slide.
 
Both you and the dogs are doing something good for the community. A much-needed service, indeed.

This proves once again what many of us already know,  that dogs are truly humankind's best friend.  :)

Happy for you.  Keep up the good works!  :)
 
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