Heartland Service Dogs is introducing the Puppy Project, a way for children to learn more about service pups in training. Participating is easy! First, we invite you to pick a puppy picture from our last litter and download it from the files below. You can choose one that is ready to go or color one yourself. Cut it out. You may want to laminate it, but it’s not necessary. You can glue or tape it to a wooden stick or straw to make it easier to carry.
Next, name your puppy in training.
Now you are ready to share your day with your pup. Service dogs in training need exposure to all kinds of activities, people and places. The more things they get to see and do, the readier they will be when they are partnered with someone who needs help. Whatever your day includes – school, e-learning, playing outside, going to the store, for ice cream, playing with your friends, you can include your HSD flat puppy.
We’d like for you to share your puppy’s adventures with us. There are three ways to do that – you can choose one or all:
Post a picture and tell us what you and your puppy did on facebook and tag @HeartlandServiceDogs and use #HSDflatpuppyproject
Post to Instagram @HeartlandSvcDog and tell us what you and your puppy did on Instagram and use HSDflatpuppy
Email us photos and tell us about your adventures (send to dsmoljan@comcast.net) and we will feature flat puppy updates on our social media feeds and our website. Please include your first name and city you live.
Please note that photos and updates posted to social media and emailed to Heartland Service Dogs offer consent for the puppy adventure and photos to be used and shared.
You can keep taking your HSD Flat Puppy on adventures, or share with someone else. There is a downloadable letter if you would like to send to someone else (a friend, grandma, aunt, cousin, teacher, coach, etc.) and see what activities they share with your puppy.
Heartland Service Dogs is a non-profit organization that raises and trains service dogs at no cost. We are strictly volunteer and supported by donations and fundraising. If you would like to find out more about Heartland and/or how you can help, visit our website or contact us at info@heartlandservicedog.org. Follow us on social media.
These are a few books about service dogs. Your local library might have them, too:
Thank you for participating in our Heartland Service Dog Flat Puppy Project! We hope you will watch our website and facebook page for updates on our puppies, dogs and activities.