Paws & Poss Abilities

The Historic Post Office November 7, 2019

“It makes me proud to know the independence and freedom that SFSD provides to each recipient of a service dog. With donor support, SFSD is making life-changing differences in our community, while absorbing the cost of a service dog, from their training to their placement. I truly could not be happier to continue to support the wonderful trainers, directors, and volunteers through sponsorships and donations……not only now, but also well into the future.” -Adam Creekmur, President GC Commercial, Inc.

Welcome!

Welcome to Paws and PossAbility! We are thrilled to have you here tonight to enjoy delicious food and a unique mixology competition! In mixology, as in life, it’s how you blend the liquor and mixers, balance the flavors, and present your creation to the world that can make all the difference. At Saint Francis, we “blend a mixture” of carefully selected puppies that are “balanced” with exposure to a wealth of experiences and training, and then “presented” in a thoughtful match to partners. Saint Francis Service Dogs change the “flavor” of the lives of people with disabilities. This is what we strive for – people with disabilities living their lives to the fullest and seizing every opportunity with a Saint Francis Service Dog by their side to help them every step of the way. When our partners receive their Saint Francis Service Dog, their lives change in wonderful ways we expect and others that we never imagined. This we know – their lives will never be the same. Their new life is an exciting and beautiful “blend” of love, joy, and new choices. I wish you the same good fortune in our competition tonight that our partners enjoy “crafting” a new life with a Saint Francis Service Dog. May the best team win!

Cabell Youell Executive Director

Schedule of Events

6 o’ clock Mix and mingle

Half past 6 Spirit selection Seated presentation Quarter to 7 The Competition begins! Half past 7 Competition ends and judging begins! Mixologist presentation Quarter to 8 Enjoy food stations and specialty cocktails crafted by our professionals to pair with your dinner Enjoy a presentation while you eat

Half Past 8 Dessert is served Winners are announced! 9 o’ clock Thanks for coming!

Presented By

Proudly Sponsored By

C.A. Barrs, Contractor DPR Construction The Hourigan Group TowneBank Table Hosts

Special Thanks The Historic Post Office James River AV Bland Lawson MD Seasons of Williamsburg Florals and Gifts Steven Watts Visuals Tarnished Truth Distilling Company Ray and Cathy Walsh Williamsburg Occasions

What we do... Saint Francis Service Dogs is a secular, nonprofit organization that helps people with disabilities better experience the world through partnership with a service dog. Not only do service dogs assist people with the tasks of daily living by picking up and carrying items, opening doors, going for help, and filling myriad other roles, they also crack the shell of isolation that can surround people with disabilities. Service dogs directly mitigate the negative impacts of a disability on a person’s life, by offering not only physical relief, but psychological relief as well. Service dogs ease depression, loneliness, and anxiety, leaving joy, laughter, and hope in their place. They build social bridges, connecting a person back into the daily life of a community. The ripple effect of the fundamental changes that a Saint Francis Service Dog creates in a person’s life can be felt throughout the family and community. Because of you, we are changing the world - one brilliant, loving, steadfast dog at a time.

From Puppies to Partners Support the Journey

We currently have 17 people waiting to be matched with their service dog and 103 simply waiting for the opportunity to apply. Without your support, we would never be able to meet this need. It takes two years and tens of thousands of dollars to raise, train, and place a service dog with their deserving partner. The journey is a long one, made possible by you: Puppy Program and Prison Pup Program up to 12 months • We cover breeding expenses, veterinary expenses, dog food, equipment, and supplies for the entirety of the dog’s training • Puppies live and work with Volunteer Puppy Raisers and Prison Pup Raisers at Bland Correctional Center to learn basic manners, socialization, confidence, and beginning task work • Both groups participate in weekly puppy classes with our training staff • Puppy temperament, skills progress, and overall health are continually evaluated Advanced Training 8-12 months • Dogs work with a professional Saint Francis Trainer to master over 50 commands • Trainers attend weekly Advanced Training Classes with their dogs • They are tested on these commands in a variety of settings and combinations, and temperament and health continue to be evaluated Partner Training 6-8 months • Partners and dogs are carefully matched • Partners participate a 10-day intensive training session where they learn to handle and command their new teammate • Partners work with their dogs at home, in their workplace, and in public with our help over the next six months • Teams take a certification exam, and ownership of the dog is transferred Ongoing Support continues for the working life of the dog • Teams are re-certified after one year, and every other year after that • Classes are offered quarterly to keep skills sharp, troubleshoot, and add skills to their repertoire • Personal follow-up and help is offered throughout the working life of the dog

Thanks to you...

Life has opened up for these children and adults because of you.

Our highly trained service dogs learn over 50 daily living skills to help children and adults with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, paralysis, and many other conditions. They are able to go for help, pick things up, open and close doors, retrieve the phone, turn lights on and off, and many other tasks. The peace of mind that comes from knowing that the dog can both provide physical assistance and seek help if needed is invaluable. In addition to providing physical assistance, service dogs are balms for the spirit, loving helpers, and friends to their partners. They are able to change lives because of your support.

Thank you for helping people with disabilities better experience the world through partnership with a service dog.

“As I settled into college, I found Hope would have my back in more ways than I thought. She was a great ice breaker to meet new friends, aside from just picking my keys and gloves up all the time. I found people waiting to talk with me about her especially. For the last 5 years, we’ve taken care of each other in Northern Virginia, and she continues to draw all sorts of people who would otherwise be intimidated by my wheelchair.”

Hannah and Hope

-Hannah

“Asia’s relationship with Micah is hard to explain unless you’ve witnessed the before and after of having her in his life. She calms him, loves on him when he’s scared or just needs a friend, and helps him navigate new things by always being by his side. We have a mantra with Micah, ‘if Asia can do it, so can you!’ She’s such an important part of our family, and we are so grateful that she came into our lives.” -Micah’s mom

Micah and Asia

“Diesel is a calming force for me. He allows me to feel more confident and at ease in everyday situations, which usually cause me anxiety. With him, I am able to live a more normal life, because I know he will always be there to help ease my stress and allow me to feel more secure.” -Eric

Eric and Diesel

“Since April has been a part of our program, we’ve seen increased independence in daily living skills, growth in expressive communication, and significantly improved behaviors. April is a vital part of our education program.

-Blue Ridge Autism Achievement Center

BRAAC and April

We are grateful to our Hampton Roads Grantors! Support from Newport News Shipbuilding and the ZiMS Foundation provides the funds required to obtain, raise, train, and place service dogs with children and adults with disabilities.

Thank you Newport News Shipbuilding and the ZiMS Foundation!

Meet Our Expert...

Kaia, Assistant Mixologist

Tonight’s Assistant Mixologist is Kaia, the Saint Francis Staff Dog. She is a seven-year-old black Lab, which means that in dog years, she is well within the legal drinking age. Kaia was educated in our Puppy Program, Prison Pup Program, and graduated from Advanced Training in 2014. Because of a questionable work ethic and mediocre grades, she was not a strong candidate for service dog work and was offered a job with Saint Francis instead. As the staff dog, Kaia participates in screening interviews with potential partners and in team training, demonstrations for groups, and other duties as assigned...mixology included

Board of Directors Courtney Wiegard, DVM, President Carol Downey, Vice-President Anne Jenkins, S ecretary Jeffrey Barbour, CPA, Treasurer

Craig Balzer John Carlin Sally B. Craver, MSW Jo Lynn Draper Mark R. Finkler, DVM Nancy Hack Annette Kirby Paula Mitchell Jay O’Keeffe, Esq. Jim Petrine Nadia Summo Robert Villamil Kathy Baske Young

Saint Francis Service Dogs The Balaban Center for Service Dog Excellence

P.O. Box 19538 8232 Enon Drive Roanoke, VA 24019

T: 540-342-3647 F: 540-342-0906 www.saintfrancisdogs.org

Tidewater Advisory Council Carol Downey Faye Gargiulo Diana LoVecchio

Lynn Stivers Janet Taake Kelly Taylor Rhonda Waldrop