Newsletter December 2017

an interview process where candidates meet and work with service dogs to determine the right fit. Once matched, candidates and their new service dog attend Team Training. Team Training is an intricate, refined 10- day program where trainers teach the candidates the skills and techniques needed to be the dog’s handler. Once Team Training is successfully completed, the new partners go home with their service dogs. The follow up begins immediately and Saint Francis trainers travel to the partner’s hometowns to work with the team in their own environment. After six months of successful work together, the team is considered a partnership. The evolution from application to Graduation is systematic and extremely complex. The result is one which we are proud to support for the working life of the dog. Once the teams graduate, our work is not over. Saint Francis happily supports our teams, offering partner classes, regular certifications, and additional training as needed.

Saint Francis Service Dogs serves many extraordinary people, all with unique needs. Our service dogs are just as unique. Finding the right fit for each dog and person is an important part of what we do. A lot of time and expertise is invested into decisions about the teams we match, so making sure we know as much about our applicants as we do our dogs is a top priority. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements, submit an application, undergo an in-depth interview process and a home visit before being approved as a candidate for a Saint Francis Service Dog. This process is designed to ensure that we can provide a service dog that fits the needs of each applicant and that a safe, healthy, loving home will be provided for each service dog we place. People have compared it to an adoption and it is! A Saint Francis Service Dog is a family member. Once someone has been approved and is considered a candidate for a Service Dog, their wait for a service

dog begins. While they are waiting, candidates attend classes where they meet and work with dogs in training, learn about proper dog manners, public access laws, are taught games and how to play and exercise their dog appropriately, dog obedience, and health and grooming techniques. Candidate classes provide valuable information to the candidates as well as Saint Francis staff because everyone gets to know each other better. Classes also set candidates up for success for their life with a service dog. The matching process is a system of measuring the needs of the candidates and the strengths and weaknesses of the dogs that are ready for placement, and

Saint Francis is constantly improving its programs to elevate the exceptional standards under which we operate. We strive to offer the highest quality service dogs and programs to the people we serve, so we collect feedback from our partners and use that information to enhance the experience. The process fits together like a puzzle—there is no complete picture without each individual piece. The result of all of the pieces of the puzzle is what makes the final, magical picture — a person united with their devoted Saint Francis Service Dog.

Saint Francis Se would not exis the support partners, br donors, volu field trainers Thank you for

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of our eders, teers, nd staff. ll you do!

Dr. Lara Hertweck in memory of: Sally, Bullet, Chloe, Hudson, Bowser, Tobe, Paige, Chief, Daisy, Buster, Ranger, Rocky, Anna, Storm, and Tucker Blitz Highfill in memory of Trigger Barbara Honeycutt in memory of Dolly and Sandy Louise Jargowsky in memory of Bella and Bea Dr. John Kern in memory of Sandra Kern Carol King in memory of Gordon King Connie Kniseley in memory of Alice Chase, Linda Kling and Bri, Bella, Lyle, Zeus, Dixie, and Roxy Gary and Jennifer Koogler in memory of Duke and Dobie, Oliver, and Max Kitty Coxe Koomen in memory of Kathleen Keely Coxe Jeffrey and Annamarie Kresge in memory of CC Nicole LaRoche in memory of McGregor - Mackie Bob and Bonny Lee in memory of Maggie Robert and Susan Lockwood in memory of Cyrus Lucy and Tibi in memory of Maggie and Lulu Elizabeth Magenbauer in memory of Jay McMahon Cindy Martin in memory of Jackson and Lyle Rebecca Matthew in memory of Wes and Shanti Robert and Donna McCray in memory of Keona Paroline Rebecca McCray-Brown in memory of Keona Paroline James and Erma Miller in memory of Abbey Linda Mills in memory of Zena and Marshal Debby Moore in memory of Jay McMahon Suzanne and Peter Mortlock in memory of Sadie Rebecca Perdue in memory of Wiggins, the sweetest girl Mary Lou Puritz in memory of Heidi Austin, a great dog Dale and Pamela Rucker in memory of Melbourne Carol Ryan in memory of Linda D. Wood

Tom and Jenny Sease in memory of Jeff Noce

Sandi Adkins in memory of Rev. Edward E. Shepherd Anonymous in memory of John Scott Pope AnR Career Solutions in memory of McGregor - Mackie Elizabeth Barber in memory of Anne Boone Hammersley Nancy Barbuto in memory of Martha Tomlin and her love of training service corgis Jan Barnett in memory of Grady Charlotte Bennett in memory of Megan Walt and Linda Boulden in memory of Franny Collins Matilda and John Bradshaw in memory of Isabelle Futrell Charmaine Carmack in memory of CC and Mrs. Jean Cregger Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Chidester in memory of Ben and Joan Chidester, and Susan Hill and Barkley Dudley Clinard in memory of James Beverly Jones Amanda Conway in memory of Tony and Jake, may they run together forever Robert and Mimi Copenhaver in memory of CC Dr. Shelby Costello in memory of Athena, Buttercup, Gabbie Sue, Buddy, Jasmine, Mollie Girl, Ruger, Trinity, Titan, and Buddy Beth Cranston in memory of Charlie and Meghan Nancy and Ray Cunningham in memory of Lyle John and Julie Danstrom in memory of Curtis E. Davis, Jr. Earlene Davis in memory of Georgie, Roberta Marshall, and Bella David and Judy Derr in memory of Shanti Marfisa and Dante Dimicco in memory of all of our dogs Kathryn Figg in memory of Lance C. Moore Jenese Garland in memory of J.B. Jones Rand and Jan Garrett in memory of Wiggins June and Diane Heim in memory of Gordon F. Heim, Mildred Gatch, and Jordan

Phyllis Sexton, John and Kristi Psimer, and Nikki Psimer in memory of S. Douglas English Shannon Shaffer in memory of Boodie and Fiona The Shelton Family Charitable Fund in memory of West Point Class of 1967 KIA RVN Diane Strickler in memory of Greg Mobley Jo Ann Terry in memory of George C. Terry Twochair Solutions in memory of Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Richard Von Schilling in memory of FiFi Niki Voudren in memory of Dixie Carol and Greg Waters in memory of Scott Thomas III Ed and Jane White in memory of Derry Dr. Courtney Wiegard in memory of Brittany Miller and Tom Ford Dr. Courtney Wiegard in memory of: Katie, Rambo, Lilly, Tucker, Jackson, Sergei, Bozley, Chance, Tessa, Bailey, Daphne Bell, Vinnie, Gus, Tala, Sugar, Mocha Bear, Satchel, Buck, Ty, Bleu, Hannah, Spencer, Abby, Sadie, and Millie Jan Wright in memory of Donald Tucker Cooper and Cabell Youell in memory of Lyle

June and Diane Heim in recognition of Joshua Heim

Robert and Anna Frye Roughnecks MC North GA Chapter Roughnecks MC - New River Valley Chapter

Sally Adams Frances McClure Barbara Pack Pi Lambda Phi

Jo Ann Adams Laurie Davis Mr. and Mrs. Donald Giegerich Rosemarie Kamin Roy and Shelia Martin Margaret Ostrom Kristen Pilarski Richard Adams Nancy Cunningham Employees of Carlion Clinic - Materials Management Earlene Davis Nancy Leighton Scott and Marcia Lindsay Carter and Kathryn Lowry Cindy Martin

Susan Maynard Connie Kniseley

Robert and Cecilia Price Jimmy and Doris Short Patrick and Trina Whitesides Angie Wilson, her furry children,

and Samuel Wilson Elaine Ross Wilson

Mary Andersen in honor of Jeannine Schmidt Linda Barnett in honor of the staff of Saint Francis Service Dogs Herb and Ces Beskar in honor of Samson Chapman Charmaine Carmack in honor of Mimi and Bob Copenhaver

Helen Carty in honor of Michelle Karim Patricia Davidson in honor of Kathy Morck Deborah Duerk and Brent Sublett in honor of Dani and Andy Reece Hometown Bank in honor of Nancy Hack Frederick Howe and Gayle Shelden in honor of Lambeau Helen Jones in honor of Jake Jones Gerri Lauterio in honor of Maureen Connors Linda Mills in honor of Scooter and Ace Lois Overstreet in honor of Janet Wynot Sandra Reed in honor of Paco Jay Schreider in honor of Thomas Copenhaver Jill Sitcer in honor of Mary Lou Smullen M. Diana Thomason in honor of Baby Girl and Chewey Evelyn Turner in honor of Clay and Mike Morrissett

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID

P.O. Box 19538 8232 Enon Drive Roanoke, VA 24019 (540) 342-3647 www.saintfrancisdogs.org

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Saint Francis Service Dogs is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that raises and trains service dogs for children and adults with disabilities. An envelope is enclosed for your convenience if you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to support the mission of Saint Francis Service Dogs. A financial statement is available upon written request from the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs.