Here’s a cool organization you want to know about that is located in Dripping Springs near the Caliterra Community. Meet Service Dogs, Inc., an organization working to build better lives with custom trained assistance dogs provided free to Texans who need their support.
About Service Dogs, Inc.
To offer greater independence to wounded veterans and people living with disabilities, attorney Sheri Soltes founded the organization in 1988. The service dogs support first responders by giving them a healthy way to process the stress, trauma, and grief they encounter every day in keeping everyone safe. They also help children of abuse find their voice in court.
The organization takes abandoned, unwanted and career change dogs to renew their lives with love and service. SDI adopts dogs from rescue groups, animal shelters, and organizations with career change dogs.
Their programs include the following:
- Hearing dogs: Alerts their partners of sounds.
- Service dogs: Perform tasks such as picking up dropped items and opening doors.
- Courthouse facility dogs: Ease the stress for children and survivors during the judicial process.
- First responder facility dogs: Interact with personnel to reduce stress from the trauma they see in their jobs.
- Trainers academy: Trains professional dog trainers on how to train hearing and service dogs and do shelter dog evaluations.
The organization serves Texas residents who are deaf or hard of hearing and have limited mobility. They work with the Virtual Assistance Staff in the district and county attorneys’ offices, first responders, and professional dog trainers.
Support the Organization and Have a Doggone Good Time
Did you know that September is National Service Dog Month? It’s an opportunity to raise awareness and show appreciation for the extraordinary work service animals do every day for the people in their care. You can see their amazing work in videos and stories about service dogs and their partners.
Here are two great ways to show appreciation in September and have fun.
Geeks Who Drink — Quiz for a Cause
Are you a geek who loves trivia and beer? Then you’ll love Geeks Who Drink — Quiz for a Cause on Sept. 26 from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. Join SDI at Indian Roller for an adventurous night of trivia and beer specials. You can put together a team of up to six players with each contributing a suggested $5 donation to SDI and for a chance to win cash and bar prizes. Pint Night specials will come from Dripping Springs’ own Twisted X Brewing Company.
Name That Doggone Tune Bingo
On Sunday, Sept. 29 from 4 to 6 pm, come to Whitestone Brewery for Name That Doggone Tune Bingo. All proceeds go to SDI. You’ll hear your rock ‘n’ roll favorites featuring songs about <drum roll> dogs! The suggested donation is $5 (or you can get the normal $2 per card) with three chances to win brewery prizes. The brewery is in Cedar Park, Texas, an hour’s drive from Dripping Springs.
And the most important event of all is the Service Dog, Inc. 2019 Graduation on Saturday, October 5 at 2 pm in the Cirrus Logic Auditorium (800 W. 6th St., Austin, TX 78703).
Celebrate the Class of 2019 graduates and the 2019 Inspiration Award Winner, awarded to the business that goes the extra mile on being accessible to individuals living with disabilities. The event is free. Of course, they’d appreciate donations or a tribute ad honoring the graduates.
Check out this top dog Dripping Springs organization and attend one of its fun events. You can volunteer or foster a service dog in training.
When you live in the Caliterra Community in Dripping Springs, you’re only five miles from SDI. If you love dogs and helping, this is a match made in heaven.
