Appreciation to all!

We wanted to foward on ChildServe's volunteer appreciation video.



Our partnership with ChildServe has provided us all an open door of wonderful experiences.

We really do make a difference for the kid's and everyone we visit.

Each one of us who volunteer with Paws & Effect can gloat about the work that you are doing.

Oh, and our Pet Partners are having fun too!

It's feeling a lot like ...

It's feeling a lot like Halloween.

To the Living History Farm's

we head out with great speed

on this chilled and crisp October eve.

Tag the service dog was about to experience

a beggar's night treat

of which no one would believe

that he is a service dog only 15 months of age.

However, it was at the 'waving inflatable Pizza slice'

to which he caused a ruckus

we all shrugged and moved him along

down the creeky wooden planked path

you could tell that he appreciated the reprieve.

Oh, look there is a horse drawn hay rack,

we know he would enjoy.

We loaded up the pup with his service vest adorned

the wagon was off with a slight lurch forward

as we swayed back and then forth

this all happened by the voice of the driver

saying a little "giddy up".

The draft horses were really of no intrigue,

to Tag that is

look at all the flickering lights over here

and those falling and fluttering leaves over there

blazing brilliant colors orange, yellows and red.

Those are the things for which Tag couldn't get enough,

but he whispered nothing,

not even a whoof!

So, that was Tag's time at the farm.

On one thing we agree,

Living History Farm's

is a lot to take in

but it is all in an effort to set someone free,

Yes, service dog in training

in culture he does not wain.

Tag earns his keep

only then does his vest unbuckle

which makes for one super happy puppy

when the metaphorical 5' oclock bell goes beep.

Jumping for joy

and spinning with glee.

three circles to the left

and one or two to the right.

"What a fantastic time I had

what a fantastic time I had

what a fantastic time I had

Yippppppppeeeeeee!"

Therefore and hence forth ...

Is it possible to teach a service puppy to be an attorney?! If you are waiting for the lawyer joke punch line .... well you will be saddened to know that it's no joke. Gabor made an appearance at Drake's law school today. By the expression on his face, he is scared to death of law or bored to tears by the lecture.

Yay, Gabor for showing them how it's done.

Pardon me, excuse me...

Pardon me, excuse me, pardon me, excuse .... Oh, my .... Excuse me ma'am but what kind of service is your dog providing?

Well, if you must ask, it's propping up the chairs in the row in front while warming the concrete to rest our wearly soles.

Actually, Seneca is old hat at the public access but Keeper got his debut public appearance at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines applause series today.

Applause to Keeper for being being a great dog.

Tag Sale!?

We found great humor in this sign posted next to the road on our way home from the vet!

His name, after all, is TAG!

Tag = Scratch and Dent

In an act of play, Tag tore the callous on his upper pad. It was sore and causing him unrest. So much so that he asked to be held all night long to make it feel better. When morning came, he did not hesitate to ask to go to the vet. He got a bandage pad and vets wrap that was aqua blue and had dark blue bones. Doesn't get any better than that.

It's all in a days work for a service dog.

"House of Yes"

Tag's adventure opened the door for a journey into the underground tunnels and Studio 51. He got to see the on stage production of "House of Yes". He watched the show intently through a hurricane, screams and gun shots. Never did he utter a word. While intrigued by the action on stage he managed himself better than most in the theatre. We applaud Tag for a commendable performance. You can see for yourself, he is interested enough in theatre to read the play bill from the next show.

Definition of a Companion Animal

After seeing this Point of Sale (POS) display it became clear to me the difference between a "Companion animal" and a "Service dog".

Do you know the difference?

Is it ironic that it sets on the "Top Shelf" above the Flying Dog Ales?

Service Dog in a China Shop?

As the old saying goes "Don't take a bull into a china shop".

Now we can say "Take a Service Dog into the glass shop to avoid catastrophe".

Well, if it weren't for the leash I may have gone astray. Thanks Tag for holding your tail very, very still!