ECAD, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities
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October 25, 2011
Having Muscular Dystrophy, makes me dependent on a wheelchair and others for help constantly. A Service Dog would help me gain some independence back and would also take a little bit of weight off my family. After visiting a Service Dog facility in November of last year and in a way being scammed to give money without knowing if I could even be matched with a dog, I almost gave up on looking until I found ECAD online. In March of this year, I applied there for a Service Dog and got a response back the next day to plan an interview date. When I visited the Dobbs Ferry, NY facility in June, the staff made me feel extremely comfortable and were great about certain accommodations. I also got to meet some of the dogs and tour the facility. As of right now, I'm fundraising for a dog and will hopefully do Team Training sometime in the Fall of 2012. I'm very excited to be able to have a chance to go through this experience and I'm very glad that it's with ECAD.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Will hopefully be a Service Dog recipient next Fall.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wouldn't change anything but wish that more people were better educated on what Service Dogs are.
October 5, 2011
What can i say about ECAD?? Nutmeg, our therapy dog at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood Florida, works daily with our young patients in rehab helping them learn to walk again, learn to balance and to regain muscle strength. Of course, for Nutmeg, this means being pet, brushed and playing fetch or "tug". She is an ever-present joy throughout the hospital; bringing smiles to everyone she meets - children, families and staff. We can't thank ECAD enough for training us and training Nutmeg for our facility. We love them all!
Kari
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Nutmeg, our therapy dog who was educated by ECAD, works daily with our pediatric patients. I am lucky enough to be one of her handlers and get to see the impact she has on our patients.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not a thing!
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
How did you find this group?
referral from sister hospital
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 4, 2011
I'm a registered nurse and manager in a very busy hospital. The thought of adding another task to my laundry list of duties I perform daily becomes chilling. However, volunteering one hour a day to round on my patients with "Lily" our hospital's Service/Therapy dog is the most rewarding part of my day! "Lily" always brings smiles to the patients, their families and the staff. She assists with motivating, stress reduction and bringing the "Healing environment" to our facility.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Promoting animal assisted therapies such as stress reduction, animal assisted occupational and physical therapy. Increasing motivation in patients their families as well as my staff.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Open another ECAD facility in South Florida.
3 people found this review helpful
September 27, 2011
3 people found this review helpful
I had no idea how many unprofessional and scam service dog businesses were out there until a close friend of mine fell victim to one. So it when it came to exploring the service dog option for myself, I wanted assurance that this organization was legitimate and would truly be able to help me, not just take my money and give me something adorable to love and then vanish.
ECAD is a wonderful well organized organization. When I first contacted them they were patient and answered all of my questions and let me tour their facility. I was able to watch troubled youths train service dogs under the guidance of their staff. I was blown away by how absolutely brilliant and obedient the dogs were, how much the teens gained by their work, and how utterly organized and committed the staff were. The facility was clean and completely accessible. I made a $50 donation on the spot and when I got home I filled out an application for a service dog. I heard back from them in a timely fashion and received the 2nd part of the application and then had a scheduled interview and in a few months I hopefully will begin team training. Soon I will have a highly trained well bred and screened service dog I can trust will help me with daily tasks and assist me in emergencies, and it will only cost me $8,500, that's less than half what those fly by night places are charging disabled people for under-trained (or completely untrained) supposed service dogs!
ECAD helps people and organizations with all kinds of handicaps.
ECAD raises happy healthy sophisticated dogs that are carefully screened, well groomed, and incredibly loved by their staff, volunteers, and recipients.
ECAD helps troubled youth and teens learn social and employable skills as they learn to connect to an animal who looks to them for direction.
ECAD helps advocate for the service dog rights of veterans, and the general public with visible and invisible disabilities whether you are a client or not.
ECAD helps recipients and their families overcome the isolation and constant worry that come from a disability and give recipient families peace of mind, independence, and freedom.
ECAD helps qualified families raise money to pay for their service dogs.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I visited their Dobbs Ferry facility, their website, and their Facebook page and will likely be a service dog recipient this winter.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wouldn't change anything. I wish I could help them find even more donors to help even more people afford service dogs. ECAD is not too big or too small, they are affordable, accessible, dedicated, and experienced.
1 person found this review helpful
September 27, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I have had a service dog from ECAD for the past 5 years now and I don't know how I could live alone without him. I am a disabled police officer with a very rare disease similar to MS and has me confined in a wheelchair. Lu & Dale went all out to match me up with the perfect dog. He knows where I am all the time and won't let me out of his sight no matter who is around. he helps me with my daily tasks without even giving him a command. I can't thank them enough.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have the best service dog in the world.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find a way to help them raise more funds so as they can expand to help more people in my situation.
September 26, 2011
This company is a major role to our society, ECAD is able to help and support many people with all types of disabilities. The animals they train are able to physically and emotions help their owners get through their different life situations. I have been to a CT facility and gotten to personal meet some of their dogs at different levels of their training. I have seen this company's employees and see them work with their animals and am proud to know that an organization like this is around.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
time spent at the facility
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
keep it the same
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Likely
September 19, 2011
ECAD has done so much more than just help me with my independence, but also changed me as a person. I have gained confidence as an individual beyond a level never thought imaginable. There is a reason why I returned to ECAD once my first service dog that I received from them retired. If there are any people in the entire world that deserve undying recondition, it is Lu and the rest of the staff at ECAD.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
positive ways I never imagined.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
leave it as it is.
2 people found this review helpful
September 16, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
after my return from my deployment in Afghanistan, 2004 and 2005 are hazy and cloudy. suffering from ptsd and lower extremity problems, i isolated myself from family and friends. staying home or going to my local va medical center for doc appointments. in the fall of 2006 i made the discuss it was going to by my the last year i held a full time job because of my disabilities. during my army retirement process, my army wounded warrior case manage suggest ecads for a service dog. after my interview, i received the welcome letter and packet in the mail accepting me into their program. i that, boot camp, i am too old to start now. lu and her staff creates a warm, patient, and welcoming environment. during my two weeks of training, lu and her staff made me smile and laugh. with encouraging words and hugs, i know i would graduate. i am very luck to have lizzy, my service dog in my life. this past memorial day was the first parade in 7 yrs i attended and all because of ecads and lizzy. thank you for not giving up on me and having the belief in me to succeed.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
believing and trusting people again because of the caring people at ecads.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
encourage other veterans to support ecads monetarily and through volunteering.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
How did you find this group?
through my aw2, army wounded warrior, case manager
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
trust and believing in myself.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
2 people found this review helpful
September 15, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
As a retired police officer suffering with PTSD ECAD has given me my life back. Housebound and not wanting any contact with the outside world I starting reading articles on service dogs that helped with my disability. When I arrived at ECAD for the first time I was overwhelmed by the warmth of the staff and volunteers.
Now that I have my Dog Brady I am finally able to get on the road to a better life. Lu, Phil and Barbara thank you for all you do, your amazing people.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
That I was a client
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Never lose the feel of what it has now.
1 person found this review helpful
September 14, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I have volunteered for ECAD for 15 years and have worked with the kids, clients and dogs. They way they all meld together and give a more positive life to all three is amazing and probably surpasses any other program i have seen. it is a win,win,win situation. Everybody learns from the experience.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
By being a volunteer four days a week for 15 years.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Service more clients so they may lead a more independent life.
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