News

New Challenges

March 12, 2007

The new web-site has stimulated awareness of the agency, and we are fielding numerous inquiries from potential special needs clients throughout Texas.  This has been quite rewarding in the sense that we have been able to help people understand that the process of obtaining a Service Dog is a long one.  Most, if not all, are very disappointed at the two to three year wait that they face in waiting for a dog.  Upon clear definition of each step in the process, alternatives can be discussed and pursued when practical.

New Website

March 05, 2007

The new Shadows for Life web-site was activated on 01 March 2007, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Philip Jones, President of Visiluna.  This site is much more informative and advanced than the old site, and future enhancements will include an updated photo gallery as well as agency updates.

Mansfield Magazine, Petco Foundation and Jake Update

February 28, 2007

Last November, Mr. Michael Pugliese was asked to write an article on dog training for the brand new Mansfield Magazine.  The magazine came out in mid-January, and is available at the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce for those who may be interested.  This article, along with the feature article in last August’s edition of Mansfield Now Magazine, has significantly increased the public awareness regarding the initiatives of the agency.

Shadows for Life is joining the Petco Foundation, thanks to the guidance of Carrie Cappasello from the Mansfield Petco.  Carrie is the Manager of the store, and upon witnessing one of our Special Needs Dogs in training working in the store, she approached us and offered to assist the agency in any way that she could.  This in turn led to Shadows for Life applying, just this week, for consideration of grants, dog food, training equipment, etc.. for our agency.

Mr. Pugliese spent Tuesday morning 20 February 2007 observing Cyndee Hopkins and her daughter Emma as they took their Special Needs dog in training, Jake, into Emma’s school.  Jake is a nine month old Labrador Retreiver that Cyndee obtained and is fostering herself.  The session went well beyond belief, and Cyndee is to be commended for all of her efforts in getting Jake to where he is today!  He is well ahead of where he needs to be in his training, and may even meet the qualifications as defined by ADI by the end of this year, which would be outstanding!