The four dogs at left (Kody, Basil, Lucas and Lucy) were the first four trainee candidates in our program.  All four were from rescues or shelters. 

Basil was placed last December as a full service dog with Public Access and is a faithful companion and helpmate to a man who depends on him for retrieval, balance, bracing and other tasks.

Lucy was a year old when we took her into training, and although she flourished under Crystal's foster care and training, she never became confident enough to become a service dog with Public Access.  She was placed happily and successfully as a Home Companion. 

Lukas, (Basil's brother - both born into a rescue situation and with SCSD from the time they were 8 weeks old) had a very different temperament from Basil and was not suitable for SD work - he was adopted into a perfect situation for him. 

Kody came to us from a shelter as a stray at 10 weeks old.  DNA testing told us that he was a mix of Afghan, Whippet, Flat Coated Retriever, Collie, Shetland Sheepdog and Shiba Inu!  He learned all of his service dog tasks and completed his training classes but his independent nature was not suitable for SD work.  Rather than adopt him out, we have kept him to do educational demonstrations for us and act as our ambassador. Cute as a button, he draws a crowd and loves people - you just have to find him!  He lives with Carla and her pet goldens.

We are now into our second phase of trainees and are going to choose a mixture of dogs from breeders and rescue/shelter sources.  We are searching for Goldens and Labs primarliy, as they have that "velcro" quality and eagerness to work,.  We are looking for dogs that love to be with people, have solid temperments with no innate aggression or fear, mellow dispositions, good health histories, and love to retrieve!

We are getting our newest candidate in May from Dichi Goldens in Portage WI.  dichigoldens.com We have two more trainers waiting for dogs and hope to find rescue/shelter dogs that meet our criteria for our foster care and training and can hopefully become full service dogs through SCSD.

We will chronicle the training of our new candidates on Facebook at Second Chance Service Dogs!  Check us out and become a fan on Facebook of Second Chance Service Dogs!