When Partnership Changes Lives
by Merri Hackbarth
For more than 26 years, Domesti-PUPS has worked to improve the quality of life for people with special needs through the assistance of animals. I have been part of that work for about 17 years—first as a volunteer, then as a trainer, and now as Board President.
I had trained dogs for most of my adult life, but when I found Domesti-PUPS, my involvement continued to grow. At the time, the organization had only one trainer working in the prisons where our dogs are trained, so I offered to assist. My education began with hands-on, on-the-job training and continued through classes and years of experience. Slowly, I moved up the ranks and became a trainer myself.
Today, I would estimate that 95% of the service dogs we place are seizure response/alert dogs, and most are placed with children. My connection to this work, however, goes even deeper.
Years ago, after attending an epilepsy event, I came home deeply affected by what I had seen. Some of the service dogs there did not appear to have the temperament or qualities I believed were necessary for such important work. I asked my husband, “Could we breed dogs specifically for service work?”
My belief was simple: people who need service dogs deserve beautiful, healthy dogs with the right temperament and ability to learn potentially lifesaving tasks.
That conversation changed our lives. Since then, my husband and I have bred more than 100 puppies. Not every puppy has become a service dog—because not every dog is suited for this demanding work—but most have. We have watched puppies born in our home grow into dogs that provide safety and independence to people across the country.
Our connection with JoshProvides began with one of our service dog clients. We later met the JoshProvides team at an epilepsy conference in Florida. What began with one family’s recommendation has grown into a meaningful partnership.
Our seizure response dogs train for approximately two years. They may get help, retrieve medication, or activate an alert system. Some are trained to turn their person onto their side to help prevent choking during a seizure or push their head to the side to help open the airway if they fall face down and cannot breathe. Some dogs may also develop the ability to alert before a seizure when their recipient has a detectable scent change.
Through grants for some of our epilepsy recipients, JoshProvides helps families overcome the financial barriers of receiving a highly trained service dog.
Domesti-PUPS provides specialized training. JoshProvides helps families move closer to the dog they need. Together, we help people living with seizures find greater safety, confidence, and independence.
After 17 years, I remain inspired by the families we serve and grateful for partnerships like JoshProvides. Sometimes changing a life begins with a conversation, a connection—and one very special dog.
