Atlas puts up with so much 🤪🤣 We have twinning Christmas spirit jerseys so we took some quick pics last night!

Alright doggo friends… I need to see your dogs living their BEST goofy, off-duty (aka “free dog”) life. Post a pic of your service dog (or pet) being a total happy potato! 😂🐶

Hey everyone! 👋🐾 I’ve been out of town and somehow managed to catch a bug from the cold Florida woods 😂🌲 — so thank you all so much for your patience while I recover and get back into the groove! But for now, let’s have a little fun and connection time! 💬 Question #1: For those of you who already have your service dogs — what’s your very favorite task, behavior, or thing your dog does for you? 💕 Maybe it’s the way they wake you up with kisses, perform deep pressure therapy, give that grounding touch, or simply make you smile just by looking into those sweet eyes. 🥹 And for those of you still waiting for your future service dog or currently in training — what are you most looking forward to about your partnership? Question #2 (Just for fun!): If you were turned into a dog 🐶 and could be any breed you wanted… what breed would you choose — and why? I can’t wait to read your answers and get to know everyone’s dogs (and imaginary dog selves 😂) a little better!

Goal: Make Halloween a positive, confidence-building experience! A social, confident dog can be taught to ignore — rebuilding a scared dog is much harder. 🐾 Big Ideas: ✨ Desensitization > Discipline. This is not an obedience exam — it’s a confidence field trip! 🎯 Positive Association. Costumes, masks, noises = treats, praise, fun! 💡 Avoid Fear Rehearsal. If your dog looks worried, increase distance and make it easier. We do not want “Halloween = scary.” 🧡 Before Halloween: 🐶 See the spooky stuff early: Visit a dog-friendly store like Lowe’s. Don’t activate everything — start far away, let your dog look, mark confidence (curious look, step forward, sniff) and treat! 🎭 Costumes at home: Have familiar people wear hats or simple props first, then masks later. Pair each new look with treats and praise. 🔔 Doorbell warm-up: Play a soft doorbell sound on your phone; treat for calm. Gradually increase volume. If not ready, silence the real bell for Halloween night. Have a Halloween Night Game Plan: 🏡 Set the scene for success: - For green dogs/puppies, hang out outside (driveway/yard). Fewer doorbell surprises and more space! - Keep sessions short (3–5 minutes), then take breaks. 🍬 Treat partners: Give trusted, costumed friends a few treats. Ask them to crouch sideways and let your dog choose to approach. Approaches/sniffs = mark & reward! ➡️ If unsure → more space: See hesitation? Quietly step back a few feet, reset, and try an easier rep. No forcing greetings. 🐾 What to Reward vs. What to Redirect: ✅ Reward: soft eyes, tail neutral/loose, steps toward, sniffing, taking food, curiosity. 🚫 Redirect: freeze, lean away, tucked tail, scanning, refusing food. Add distance, breathe, make it easier, then reward the next bit of confidence. 💬 Simple Handler Scripts: 🗣 To a friendly neighbor in costume: “She’s in training—could you crouch and offer her this treat? Let her come to you.” 🧍‍♀️ If you need space: “We’re giving her a little distance while she learns—thanks!”

@Kenzie Carlson put together a super helpful video showing the difference between a basic service dog vest and a few different service dog custom made capes. She walks through the different wording and patches you can add, along with some tips and tricks she’s picked up along the way! One big recommendation from Kenzie: make sure your cape has pockets — they come in handy! To clarify: in this video, the cape is shown attached to a counterbalance mobility support harness, but capes and custom made service vests can also be ordered for non-mobility purposes. If you’re looking for a custom-made vest or cape, Etsy is one of the best places to find options. A huge thank you to @Kenzie Carlson for creating this video and to @Stepho Wilson for editing it — you are the best! 🐾🙌