Purpose
We exist to allow students to participate in fostering and puppy sitting service dogs in training (SDIT) and future guide dogs that will eventually end up going to someone in need.
Goals
Our student organization is constantly working to advance our service dogs in training, future guide dogs, and our program. Here are a few of our major goals that we constantly are working toward.
01.
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The health and safety of the SDITs and future guide dogs are our main priority. Furthermore, we work to reinforce commands with our SDIT and future guide dogs and ensure that the dogs have the best chance of being accepted into advanced training or harness training and eventually passing.
02.
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We want to raise awareness about service dogs, service dogs in training, and future guide dogs, including their specific distinctions between one another and from other forms of assistance animals, within the general public.
03.
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We are constantly fundraising to support the goals of the student organization, whether that be building a service dog park, sponsoring a child who needs a service dog, or other general philanthropy.
“All the trainers have become huge advocates for persons with special needs and service dogs.”
Kristin McNamara | Founder
History
Our student organization was founded in 2012 by the Miami University student, Kristin McNamara. Kristin started this organization in honor of her little “sister”, Anna MacConnell. Kristin met 7-year-old Anna while attending a fundraiser for Anna’s service dog. Anna was deaf, blind, and had a congenital heart defect. Kristin became close with Anna from this day on. When Anna finally fundraised enough for her dog, Kristin and Anna together attended the final training sessions for service dog and family at 4 Paws for Ability. They celebrated when Anna finally received her dog, a goldendoodle named Acadia. Acadia and Anna did everything together, from going to school to out-and-about in the town. Unfortunately, Anna died in 2012 at the age of 11. Kristin stayed strong though saying, “Anna wouldn’t want me to sit around being sad, but to be out there using my skills.” On the night of Anna’s death, a litter was born at 4 Paws for Ability. This litter was named after Anna — “Anna’s Sunlight”. Kristin chose Liora, Hebrew for “my light”, as her next service dog in training.
Kristin started the student organization with only three dogs on campus — all service dogs in training through 4 Paws for Ability’s program operated out of Xenia, Ohio. Since then, the Miami University chapter has grown to currently have more than 10 dogs on campus with two more programs, Circle Tail and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. We still work closely with all organizations to ensure the dogs at Miami University’s chapter have the best shot possible at becoming a full-fledged working Service Dogs or Guide Dogs for someone in need. We have expanded out reach, fundraising towards a local service dog park that was recently completed and for those who need assistance in paying for their own Service Dog or Guide Dog. The service dog park was completed in Fall 2022. We are excited to continue to make an impact on our community and to spread information about Service Dogs and Guide Dogs to the general public. We work day in and day out to ensure the positive future of our cause.
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