Hallelujah
Service Dogs for Disabled Veterans
505-994-0617
3800 32nd circle SE Rio Rancho NM 87124
Our mission is to train dogs rescued from the pound, or puppies to give free to our paralyzed, or disabled veterans. Each dog is custom trained to meet the needs of the veteran. These needs include picking up dropped items, bringing a bottle of water, a cell phone, pulling the wheelchair, etc. The dog also provides unconditional love, which greatly helps with the healing process of our wounded veterans. We need donations, of Purina Beneful Dog Food, dog training treats, dog toys, dog beds, leather hands free 8' leashes, grooming supplies, gift certificates from Pet Smart, or Petco, and a German Shepard puppy, so we can provide these dogs FREE to our paralyzed, and disabled Veterans. Please help! Our servicemen and women sacrificed for all of us, and now they need our help. Please talk to your church, place of business, or any organizations and clubs you may belong to, about just sponsoring even one dog. We will be happy to come and talk as well as bring in a dog, and explain the great things they can do to help our returning veterans. Preference is given to New Mexico Veterans first!
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You may send donations to:
Hallelujah Service Dogs for Disabled Veterans
P.O. Box 45943, Rio Rancho, NM 87174-5943
or visit
3800 32nd Circle SE Rio Rancho NM 87124
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FREEDOM
Her name is Freedom! What a great choice
This is a very "Good Girl" that we just acquired 2/26/08. We are, for the next 2 weeks evaluating her for mobility service for a local veteran who is recovering from wounds sustained in Iraq. She is a 7 month old female, sable colored German Shepard. She is very willing to please, and knows most of her basics.
Erik and his family meet Freedom! Sheila Nawman teaches Freedom to get up so
Erik can pet her. Erik is a New Mexico solider who was wounded in Iraq. We
are custom training Freedom to assist him in his recovery
.
FREEDOM for Erik
Mason & Scout our 2 candidates for 2008! There is NO waiting list for these dogs! They will be ready around Christmas 2008! We would like to custom train them for a disabled Veteran. Please if you know someone in need of a FREE Service Dog, contact Kristi 505-994-0617.
"Scout" Scout way not get big enough for pulling a manual
chair, so she will be trained to accompany an electric chair, pick up dropped
items, bring objects.
"Mason" is our newest candidate just starting her training. She is a yellow lab. We expect her to be ready to donate by Christmas of 2008, to one of our paralyzed veterans. She is being trained to pick up dropped objects, pull a wheelchair.
Kristi is our volunteer service dog head trainer, she coordinates with the Paralyzed Veterans of America, for placement of the dogs. She will be happy to bring a dog and speak to your organization. She also acts as the secretary so you can contact her at 505-994-0617, for more information.
click to enlarge any picture
"Cracker Jack" Jacky is a Golden Retriever. He is currently being given specialized training. He will be going to his new home later this year. He was rescued from death row at the pound and has worked as a service dog since 2005. Jacky is a sweetie and loves toys. Jacky is currently working with a disabled person who needs a service dog, and is expected to go to his new permanent home soon
.
Jackie helping Orli
the "new" Hallelujah
" Hallelujah Raphael" ( which means praise the Lord for the healing Angel) Raphael is currently 1 yr old, and in training since he was 8 weeks. He is 75#, and should be as a full size adult about 110#. He is very intelligent, friendly, and willing. He attends most fund raising events, and loves to be petted by people. He will be used mainly to balance a person walking and will wear a special harness with a handle to assist. With the passing of the original Hallelujah, Raphael now assumes his name and the responsibilities of alpha dog. he is well suited to the task, willing, attentive, devoted and loyal. He is a fine animal.
6/5/1999-8/13/2007 totally devoted service dog, guard dog and friend
Hallelujah" Halle was rescued in 2002, and trained for mobility service, by Kristi. He pulls the wheelchair, helps her out of the bath tub, brings a water bottle, a medicine bag, wears a harness to assist her walking, is constantly by her side, he is a loving helper. He is retired from public service now, but assists her at home daily. Halle also helps teach the new dogs, as they learn by watching. This service was named for this wonderful loyal dog. As a tribute to him all of the dogs Kristi trains for herself will always now be named "Hallelujah"
We have a 20x20 kennel, with a 12x18 kennel attached. [donated by the Masonic Lodge] We will soon be adding a 10x10. This allows for separation of the dogs. The dogs spend a couple hours a day running free on the 1/2 acre grounds, most of the day and night in the house with Kristi. And train in small 10 minute increments several times per day. The training time is one on one, only so the dog can focus. Each dog in training is taken out in public several times a week. They go to the pet stores, grocery, stores, the parks, hardware stores, different churches, and sometimes just for a ride. This is important training time. The dog learns "load"= get into car "wait"= don't exit until told "lets go"= exit They practice pulling the wheelchair, not sniffing or licking people. I do allow everyone to pet them. They practice sitting when I stop laying down when I am in one place for very long. Ignoring me if I am eating or drinking. I always place the dog away from people so we don't get his tail stepped on. We want to avoid any negative experience for the dog. Going out in public is part of his job, so we must maintain disciple with him, so he is always a welcome visitor (no licking, sniffing, barking, and of course potty him before he goes inside) If your dog misbehaves the store personnel have the right to ask you to leave. You should make sure he is ready before you go. There is a responsibility to taking a dog in public. All dogs are not meant for service work. About 50% fail and become pets instead.