We have some exciting and long-awaited news to share with you.

As we have explained in the past, training a service dog is a long process. Service dogs start out life as puppies, and just like every other puppy, they pee on rugs and chew shoes and nip and jump. Our dedicated puppy raisers teach them good house manners, and to sit and stay and lie down and come when called. All good dogs should know these things; our service dog puppies must go far beyond this standard. Our puppy raisers gently expose them to crowds and noise and traffic and strange and novel sights; they teach them to be calm and quiet and responsive in stores and restaurants and churches and offices and theaters, in cars and on buses and subways – in short, everywhere they go. Our trainers perfect their abilities to retrieve and carry, to push and pull, open and close, brace and steady, alert to sounds, redirect behavior, and find help.

Through all of this, the puppy is growing and maturing both physically and mentally. At two years of age, the dog has scarcely become an adult – and the process of becoming a service dog is not yet finished. Now the dog must learn to work with his veteran partner, to attend only to him or her, and to adapt his skills to the veteran’s unique needs. This is the stage that Hero Dogs General Eisenhower “Ike” has reached, and he would like to tell you about his new adventures in his own words.

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Dear Hero Dogs friends,

I just had to share this with you. After reading it I realized that, like every other service dog partner, I could have written it about my first service dog.  It’s from the winter IAADP (International Association of Assistance Dog Partners) newsletter…

LEGACY OF A SERVICE DOG I used to want to hide from view I’d wish I was somebody else With you my looks never mattered Pretty soon I forgot them myself

You gave me the courage to travel You brought me out of my shell Together we saw distant cities Together we conquered them all

You were there in my darkest moments You helped me to weather the pain You helped me forgive the cruelty And learn how to love, not blame.

There are many moments of laughter And many joys we shared It broke my heart to let you go When the vet said you should be spared

No medals are given to service dogs for taking away the fear, for giving us a brand new lease on life, a life of dignity and cheer.

I now have friends, a purpose in life and confidence in myself That’s the legacy you leave behind, old friend, As a tribute to yourself.

Anonymous