Meet Athena, Service Dog in Training, Sponsored by Cavco – Ocala
LATEST UPDATE
Congratulations, Athena! Thanks for your hard work and dedication!
Athena is a beautiful Labrador Retriever who recently graduated from an intense service dog training program provided by Patriot Service Dogs (PSD), an organization that trains dogs to support veterans who have honorably served our country. The fun, festive celebration also honored recent veteran/service dog team graduates!
Thanks to all those in attendance and for supporting and honoring Athena, recent graduates and Patriot Service Dogs. Its mission is one that will positively affect the lives of deserving veterans for years to come. The program and our celebration show what a dedicated, caring and supportive community can achieve!
Athena trains with Patriot Service Dogs (PSD) and Cavco – Ocala.
Patriot Service Dogs provides trained service dogs to assist veterans struggling with an array of issues, including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma, mobility loss, and more. Athena, who is featured in the video at left, is expected to graduate from the program in the fall of 2023 and be matched with a deserving veteran in need of a service companion.
Because Athena is smaller than many dogs, she’s been chosen to assist veterans who do not have mobility issues. So, she’s learning how to help with a range of other issues, including, among others, PTSD and TBI. Upon Athena’s graduation, she and her veteran will undergo a week of advanced training, after which both will take a team test — Assistance Dogs International Public Access Test. A passing score means that Athena and her veteran can work together in any public place. Then the best part — a graduation ceremony!
If you live in the Ocala area and you’re interested in getting involved with Patriot Service Dogs, know that it is always looking for puppy raisers to host these hard-working K9s. Find more information on the PSD website.
About Patriot Service Dogs
Founded in 2009 and based in Marion County, Florida, Patriot Service Dogs (PSD) trains high-quality service dogs for veterans without charge. The organization is an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International, the leading authority on assistance dogs world-wide. All dogs are trained to assist veterans struggling with a range of issues including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Military Sexual Trauma, mobility loss, and more. To date, Patriot Service Dogs has matched 53 veterans with a service dog.
Athena Visits the Cavco – Ocala Plant in Ocala, Florida
Welcome Gypsy, the Newest Patriot Service Dogs Trainee
Cavco - Ocala is super excited about welcoming Gypsy, a beautiful, Black Labrador puppy, who is the latest enrollee in Patriot Service Dogs. As you can see, she’s anxious to get started, which is a good thing because she’s following in the paw prints of Athena, who graduated magma cum laude from the rigorous Patriot Service Dogs training in April. One of the many reasons everybody is confident about Gypsy’s future as a Patriot Service Dog is because she didn’t flinch during her initial visit to the plant. She took in the new smells and loud sounds like a pro. She’s going to be great! Be sure and check back to see Gypsy’s progress.
