The staff at the Dog Ability Center are truly exceptional. They are knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated to the well-being of everyone that comes through their doors. Their expertise in canine behavior and therapy is evident in the way they interact with the dogs and tailor activities to meet individual needs. My English bulldog loves volunteering and spending time with the children.
A wonderful place that I volunteer with my dog. We have entertained for Birthday parties, scouts earning badges, seniors, and a special program for people who are afraid of dogs. This year I also brought some children who were going through a tough time to be entertained by the other dogs. They had such a fabulous time and can’t wait to go again!
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I volunteer at dogability with my 5lb. dog. It is a very rewarding experience to see so many different people benefit from this organization. I have watched children at parties and scouts and other groups be delighted with the entertainment and love from the dogs. Then there is another group of individuals who are afraid of dogs. Dogability calls it fear of dog. They slowly work with each brave individual to overcome their fear. It brought tears to my eyes to see the progress as they learn to not be afraid and love the dogs. This is a wonderful organization and I am so honored to be a part of dogability.
DogAbility has meant so much to me and my dog Shelby. Through the dog therapy training program I became Shelby’s handler and we were a team working with physically and mentally challenged children and adults, seniors and worked in the one-of-a-kind fear of dog program. Sadly Shelby passed away suddenly in April, but I will always be grateful to DogAbility for the time Shelby and I had together to make a difference to those in the various programs offered. I will continue to support DogAbility because they really bring happiness to so many people.
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DogAbility is an amazing place where people and dogs connect and learn from each other. I am a volunteer dog handler along with my dog Shelby. We have lovingly worked with kids and adults with special needs, seniors, children who have a fear of dogs, and kids parties for those that love dogs. The unconditional love that a dog gives is priceless.
DogAbility has changed the lives of so many people, including my own. What an incredible feeling when a special needs child or adult has connected with a dog and accomplished a task or a child afraid of dogs feels confident enough to actually pet a dog. The dogs love being at DogAbility. The pride they feel when finishing an obstacle course or making someone laugh or smile brings them great joy.
Come see where the magic happens and even volunteer. It will definitely be the highlight of your day and it will fill your heart with joy.
Dogability is a special place. This safe haven for people of all abilities is chock full on kind, loving, accepting great volunteers and their awesome animals. My son and I can count on weeks of stress relief from one session!!!
DogAbility brings dogs and people together in the perfect setting that is safe and nurturing. Dogs and their humans are trained how to perform agility's , tricks, and most importantly how to interact with people. Davidson the English bulldog loves interacting with people and other dogs. I highly recommend DogAbility for people that want to volunteer with their dogs and also a great place to overcome fears.
When I realized my dog Max was loving and playful with people of all ages, I knew he was meant to brighten the lives of other people. Dogability was the perfect fit for Max and I. Having people interact with Max who barely spoke or smile became animated with smiles, words and excitement which not only enriched their day but also filled my heart with happiness.
My 10-year old son has a terrible fear of dogs, to the point where he would either avoid going to someone's house if they had a dog, or walking on the other side of the street if he saw a dog. Dogability and its volunteers have helped him get more comfortable with dogs through exposure therapy. This is a fantastic place and an indispensable non-profit.
I have been taking my 6 year old daughter Mary to DogAbility for about a year because she was terrified of dogs. To say the change in her has been dramatic would be an understatement. She has gone from running into the street to escape a dog to petting a dog on the subway. I can’t thank DogAbility enough. The people running it are kind and the volunteers are simply amazing. Thank you to everyone there.
After looking around the local community to help my teenage daughter with her fear of dogs, I was so excited when I found DogAbility. Working with them to help overcome her fear has been a great experience. Everyone there is understanding, caring and patient. The dogs are wonderful as well, especially Willie! I would highly recommend working with them to anyone who is looking for a great experience with dog related issues.
~Jodi S.
Finding DogAbility is goldmine for me. I spent many years working with the disabled population as well as volunteering with the Guide Dog Foundation.
This organization is the perfect blend of both worlds. The dogs provide unconditional love and a sense of belonging to all who come. The dogs thoroughly love participating and having interaction with all... Human and canines alike! It's a win/win for all!
Volunteering at DogAbility is and has been an extremely rewarding experience. It is just wonderful to see the positive impact the volunteer dogs have on the children. I have seen a frightened, hyper s/n child arriving and the same child smiling and calm leaving. It is just wonderful to see these children interact with the dogs at DogAbility. All of the volunteers are dedicated, giving people hoping to make a positive difference in the life of these children, if only for a short while. All of the dogs are awesome. They seem to know what is expected of them. There are serious dogs, your clowns, very obedient dogs and just plain dogs. They all show unconditional love. My dog and I are proud to be a part of this great organization.
Love, love, love volunteering with my dog, Sergio, at Dogability. The programs they offer are so wonderful to be a part of. Sass and Vicki are so dedicated to their mission which is what makes it so great. They are passionate about making everyone's experience one to remember.
I was a DogAbility volunteer for almost a year and wish that I still had enough time to volunteer! It is amazing to see the impact that the dogs and volunteers have on the participants, I often had to hold back tears because it is so touching! Every day was a new, positive experience at DogAbility for the volunteers, dogs, and participants. I can not wait until my schedule opens up a bit and I can return to volunteering with the team.
My 4 year old Golden Retriever, Cooper and I are part of the DogAbililty Pet Therapy team. We have beenough certified at the center since June, 2015. The experiences I have personally had are awesome! To be a part of something so magically is precious. To watch the love that Cooper gives to the many people that he interacts with is amazing. To have my dog interact with a child with special needs is not something that can be 'taught'...he just KNOWS what to do, and how to act. HE knows how to calm down a child that is upset or even a little leary or scared. He knows when to give kisses, and loves having children all over him! The center does so much for so many. It is empowering to be there and an absolute pleasure to be a part of. we ♡ being a part of DogAbility!!
Jeanne and Cooper
DogAbility is the one place I don't have to keep a hawkeye on my son. He wanders freely interacting with the handlers and the dogs who are all experienced and patient. He is especially fond of Christopher the golden retriever and Ugo the german sheppard. Whenever we are away from DogAbility for a stretch of time I can see the change in my son. When he has attended a session at DogAbility he's calmer, less stressed and more settled. Love this place and its dedicated all-volunteer staff!