Will You Walk With Us?

As soon as SSD Jasmine walks into the classroom, she trots over to a boy who is crying. She licks his face, makes him laugh and helps him continue his day with a smile.

Jasmine works as a facility dog for students with disabilities in an elementary school. "Jasmine's presence in the classroom has made a huge difference," says Gina, a school social worker and Jasmine's handler. "Students pay attention to their comments and behaviors, and their confidence when they're walking with her is incredible!"

You can help us raise and train more dogs like SSD Jasmine to change the lives of children and adults with disabilities. Susquehanna Service Dogs is participating in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community on May 14 on City Island in Harrisburg, PA.

Our goal is to raise $20,000 - the actual cost of raising and training one service dog. With your support, we will reach our goal!

How Can You Help?

Register for the Walk and start raising money! It's easy to sign up. Just use the online form. Then ask your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors to help you reach your fundraising goal.

Or you can become a virtual walker! If you already have plans for May 14, you can still support us! Make an online donation and then treat yourself to a nice walk in your community when you have time.

SSD is entirely funded by donations from people like you. Your financial support is the reason we are able to raise and train service dogs like SSD Jasmine to change lives.

We hope you'll join us for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community!

Give to United Way

In the past few weeks, we have given several demonstrations for United Way of the Capital Region. If you work in the Capital Region, your company may have kicked off a giving campaign for United Way, and you may even have seen one of our dogs.

United Way is a wonderful organization that raises money for the community's needs, and they donate that money to organizations that are working to meet those needs. United Way funds organizations that support families, seniors, children and youth; provide emergency food and shelter; address disease and disabilities; and build stronger and safer communities. They are working to change lives.

Please consider making a donation to United Way. Susquehanna Service Dogs is a partner program with the United Way, and we would love for you to donate to us through the United Way. But all of the partner programs and agencies of the United Way are working to change lives, and no matter which program you choose on your United Way donation form, you will know that your gift is going to an organization that is truly making a difference in people's lives.

We are working to change lives by training service dogs. Team Training is starting next week, when several people will receive their new service dogs and learn how to work together as a team. The moment we bring the dogs out to their new partners, the room is filled with happiness. After receiving her service dog, one woman said, "It's like I have my life back."

We would not be able to change lives with you. Your generous support helps us to specially train service dogs to perform the unique tasks for each person's needs.

If you donate to us through United Way, you won't find Susquehanna Service Dogs in the list of program partners. In order to donate to us, you will need to select Keystone Children & Family Services. SSD is a program of KC&FS, so you can be assured that your donations to KC&FS will come to us.

Donate through United Way.

Thank you so much for your continued support. We wouldn't be able to do it without you.

Help the SSD Princes

SSD Philip, Aladdin and Caspian need your help! These three service dogs-in-training have been diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome, a serious disease in which the spinal nerves in the dog’s lower back are compressed. This compression can be caused by a variety of things, including infection or a ruptured disc. It can be very painful for the dogs.

However, there is good news! The nerves damaged by Cauda Equina Syndrome can be repaired through surgery! Philip and Aladdin have already had the surgery and both are doing well. We expect Philip to return to training in early January. Since Aladdin had his surgery more recently, we are unable to determine when he’ll be able to return to training. However, he is doing well in his recovery. Caspian will be having his surgery sometime soon. We hope that all three of these wonderful dogs will be able to return to training in the new year.

Susquehanna Service Dogs, Philip, Aladdin and Caspian need your help! The diagnosis and surgery for these three princes costs a total of $4,800. ($1,600 for each dog) Would you please consider making a donation to help us pay for these important surgeries? Please help us make sure that Philip, Aladdin and Caspian are happy, healthy dogs that will one day help their partners live full, independent lives.

Thank you so much for your support for these wonderful dogs!

Please make a donation now.

Read more about Cauda Equina Syndrome.

State College Spikes Support SSD!

The State College Spikes are auctioning off their game bats at their home game tonight against the Aberdeen IronBirds. They're generously donating the proceeds to SSD! Each bat is autographed, and four of the bats have been signed by the entire team! The bats will be auctioned through a silent auction.

We're trying to raise funds to match their donation. For every $10 we raise, the Spikes will donate another bat. Plus, if you donate $10, your name will be entered into a drawing to throw the first pitch! Click here to donate and support SSD.

We'll be at the game tonight with some of the dogs. You'll be able to meet SSD Gideon, Basil, Ichabod and Vision. Stop by the silent auction table and say hi! The game starts at 7:05 p.m. in State College.

Thank you so much for your support! It is through your donations that we're able to raise and train service dogs to do things like alert their deaf partner that the smoke alarm is going off or to find and retrieve a cordless phone. Your donations help change lives.