The East Cost Assistance Dogs (aka Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities) are featuring a live stream puppy cam of golden retriever mom “Gucci” who gave birth to a litter of 8 puppies on May 05, 2013. Some of the puppies (named the “Gucclettes”) are black, so I am guessing that dad may be a lab. Can you imagine how cute these puppies are going to be? These dogs will be trained to assist people with disabilities, including wounded veterans, with things like opening doors, turn lights on and off, retrieving things, and many other tasks.
Gucci and the Guclettes – ECAD – Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities
If you need a puppy fix, check out the live puppy cam on Explore.org.
The K9 Parish Comfort Dogs from Lutheran Church Charities were featured on Good Morning America yesterday in a segment called “You’re Not Dreaming” They choose someone or a group of people that have really resonated with them and deserve some special recognition. ABC News and GMA anchor Lara Spencer chose the Comfort Dogs and says she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about them since she first met them in Newtown.
Photo-K9 Parish Comfort Dogs/Facebook
I’m sure you all know who they are by now. They are a group of golden retrievers and their handlers who visited Joplin after the town was devestated by the tornado, Sandy Hook Elementary, Boston, and many other places some comfort was required. These handlers are selfless, wonderful people willing to drop everything at a minute’s notice to help others in some of the most grim situations.
Yesterday the dogs and handlers got to walk the red carpet and were rewarded with many treats including a “doggy bag” full of jerkey, shampoo, toys etc from Sergeants Pet Care, a spay day at Canine Ranch Spa, A “Rufflaxation Massasge” courtesy of Hope Vet Clinic and a free grooming from New York Dog Spa and Hotel.
The handlers were rewarded with gift certificates from bliss Spa.
President of Lutheran Church Charities Tim Hetzner was presented with a full size van from Hertz that they have use of for a year.
Say what you will about Charlie Sheen, but he is a generous soul. He recently wired 15 year old Teagan Marti $10,000 towards the purchase of a golden retriever service dog.
Trainer Jake Guell with “puppy” . (CARRIE ANTLFINGER/AP Photo)
Teagan was injured in 2010 in an amusement park tragedy when the free falling ride went terribly wrong. She suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized for 3 months. Teagan now walks with the help of a walker.
Charlie Sheen in March 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The golden retriever puppy will be trained to turn lights on and off, pick up objects, and be Teagen’s full time companion by trainer Jake Guell in Fond Du Lac, WI.
Teagan will receive the dog on her birthday in September, and Sheen suggested she name it Charlie.
There have been quite a few unforgettable memories in my lifetime that stand out in my head. You know those kinds of memories where you remember every single detail even though years and years have gone by? That’s what I’m talking about. This one particular occurrence happened about ten years ago, and it has completely changed my life for the better.
In 2013 The Daily Golden will feature a different golden retriever each month as “Golden Retriever of the Month”. There are so many great goldens out there, but this first post is dedicated to Ricochet, The SURFice Dog.
“I’m an internationally renowned, award winning surf dog who has become an inspirational phenomenon, motivational role model, internet sensation, fundraising marvel, goodwill ambassador, and muse to millions! I’m the only known dog in the world that surfs with special needs kids and people with disabilities as an assistive aid. But, mom says I’m just an ordinary dog with an extra-ordinary spirit.”
-Ricochet (SurfDogRicochet.com)
Ricochet began her training at birth to be a service dog, but eventually had to be removed from the program because she liked to chase birds a bit too much. She began surfing, and then fundraising, and came into her own. Ricochet went from service dog to SURFice dog, and surfs with persons with disabilities, counter balancing the surfboard, and serves as a helper if someone falls off the board. Ricochet has helped raise over $250,000 for more than 150 animal/human causes and continues to bring joy to many doing various service work.
Here she is following commands from an ipad that a verbally disabled girl is prompting, her handler not required
As recently as December, Ricochet teamed up with Angel Bears of Hope to donate 700 bears to the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School after the tragic events of December 14th.
Photo: Facebook/SurfDogRicochet
In 2011, Ricochet was named ASPCA’s Dog of the Year. That same year, she was honored at the Hero Dog Awards for “Emerging Hero Dog” Ricochet was an honorary guest again this year got to meet Betty White!
Ricochet and Betty White – Facebook/SurfDogRicochet
In her spare time, Ricochet likes to hang with her “sister” Rina and her mom, Judy Fridono, who has an associates degree in assistance dog training. She also likes to surf, dock jump, chase critters, and visit wounded warriers. She also likes to appear on TV. (Today Show, CNN, The Oprah Winfrey Network)
There is so many accomplishments this golden girl has achieved, I could go on all day! Please check out Ricochet’s website SurfDogRicochet , and follow her on Facebook or Twitter and donate!
Keep up the good work you beautiful golden girl! Belly rubs and kisses.
If you know a great golden, nominate them for Golden Retriever of the Month by sending an email to thedailygolden@gmail.com
I know I re-blogged this awhile back, but the puppies are getting more active, and everyone needs to experience this cuteness. The Warrior Canine Connection is an organization that trains Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to train service dogs that will be paired with other Veterans.
Holly’s half dozen is a litter of Golden Retriever puppies that are going to be trained to be service dogs. They are growing quickly, and this post will be removed when the cam is taken down. Please check it out to make your heart overflow with joy!! There truly is nothing more adorable than golden retriever puppies!! Click on the link and Enjoy! Before time runs out.
Update: Puppy Cam is no more, they have grown up and moved to their training homes. I plan to post an update soon.
In honor of the American holiday, this blog post is dedicated to my neighbors to the South. What a more fitting topic than the Patriot Rovers, an organization that matches dogs with soldiers, named after fallen soldiers. Based in North Carolina, The Patriot Rovers provide canine therapy using rescued dogs to provide psychiatric services to military veterans suffering from PTSD and/or a traumatic brain injury. The program is free for veterans. You can read the whole writeup here.
Photo: Patriotrovers.org
The Patriot Rovers was initiated by David Cantara, a U.S. Army veteran, who is also a member of Patriots Guard Riders, a national group of motorcycle riders who serve as escorts at military funerals.
Here is a short video
Please donate to this wonderful organization if you can…their site accepts Paypal.
The Journey begins when combat ends,
One Soldier, One Dog, One Goal
