Alaska Assistance Dogs

Alaska Assistance Dog's mission focus is to use service dog-trained dogs in canine therapeutic programs for kids, teens and adults. The "trainees" learn healthy loving, touching and hugging plus learn the dogs’ commands. The dogs provide the kids with self-confidence and self-esteem. For 23 years AAD service dogs-in-training worked with kids with needs such as autism, FASD, Reactive Attachment and many more trauma issues. Teens in residential treatment for mental health, developmental disabilities and co-occurring disorders plus

adults in senior homes and veterans also benefit from the programs. Now therapy dogs are the training focus. AAD is also present at many community events such as Homeless Connect and focused visits at Mat Su College Huggie Dogs (final exam week de-stressing). The dogs are also used to educate businesses, social service agencies and the general public about service dogs. AAD’s most recent programs are providing permanent therapy dogs for Mat-Su Borough Schools - four have been placed; fifth in training - and working with Palmer Animal Shelter’s dogs to help them get adopted. The dogs are trained commands and given loving and hugging. When with potential adopters the dogs love the attention and perform the commands taught to them.

Pick.Click.Give. allows AAD to focus on the many small programs and contacts with the public that make such a difference. Funding allows us to provide therapeutic programs using service-trained dogs. Examples would be our newest program putting permanent therapy dogs in our Mat-Su schools to help de-stress students plus teachers and staff. And the other new project is returning to the Palmer Animal Shelter to increase adoptability through training plus when we attend Betty White Commemorative Adoption weekends. We continue to participate in Homeless Connect with our dogs and help relax students at Mat Su College during final exams with loving Goldens. We attend Thrive Fest at schools with the therapy dogs to bring joy. PCG allows us to educate businesses, the public and potential service dog owners about the national standards that must be met. We continue to go wherever we are called to help, such as training a replacement service dog when an owner calls us.