this is awesome. i just watched the full length movie about shelterme.com where it showed how stray dogs are taken from the streets to rescue shelters and given basic medical attention and care.

from there, recruiters come and select the dogs for rehabilitation. the ones chosen go to a womens prison where the inmates have been taught to train each dog in the skills needed to become a service dog.

the dogs learn how to flip light switches, pick things up from the floor and hand them to disabled people, pull wheelchairs and such. once they are trained they are matched with their final person.

it was sad to see how many of the folks needing assistance are veterans of the war in iraq with severe pstd, suicidal ideation or just plain rage. the dogs are trained to keep them company, help them calm down. it's a win-win-win-win.

i gots to look into volunteering.

wonder if anyone trains service birds


http://www.shelterme.com/