Eat Chocolate to Benefit the Community

Did you know that you can benefit people in the community by eating chocolate? You can if you’re eating that chocolate at Chocolatefest!

On January 29, Keystone Human Services is holding its annual Chocolatefest at Hershey Lodge. You’ll be able to taste chocolate desserts and other creations by area restaurants, hotels, caterers, and confectioners. There’s also live music, a silent auction, children’s activities, and a cake competition.

All of Chocolatefest benefits Keystone Human Services’ work to support children and adults to live full lives in the community. KHS includes autism services, intellectual disabilities services. mental health services, early intervention, Capital Area Head Start, and of course, us! Susquehanna Service Dogs has been a program of Keystone since 1996.

We’ll be at Chocolatefest with some of our puppies in training. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the dogs and help them practice good greetings. You’ll also be able to learn more about SSD, what we do, and all of our volunteer opportunities.

We hope to see you at Chocolatefest!

Event Details

Where

Hershey Lodge

325 University Drive

Hershey, PA 17033

When

January 29, 2017

Premiere Reception

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

$50

General Session 1

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

General Session 2

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

General Session Ticket Prices

$20 in advance

$25 at the door (as available)

Children ages 5-12, $5

All Day Chocolatefest VIP Ticket

$75 (good for all three sessions)

Tickets

Buy online

Buy at one of the following locations:

• Hershey Lodge
• Giant Food Stores
• Boscov’s
• Turkey Hill
• Rutter’s

I #WalkforSSD Because SSD Has Been a Life-Changer

Guest post by Sue Knode, puppy raiser and SSD volunteer

Why do I participate in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community? I walk because Justin relies on SSD Thunder to help him in challenging situations every single day. I walk because SSD Grace helps a classroom of students at Hilltop Academy every school day. And I walk because SSD needs the funds to train SSD Barracks and SSD Nikon to do great things and place them in just the right job!
SSD has many partners and many dogs, and the stories vary. What resonates with me is that we are able to partner dogs with people and change lives! The dogs allow them to function more independently, go out in public, and handle challenging situations.

I'm a Highmark employee and have volunteered with the Walk day events for years. I remember the first time I saw SSD at the Walk, and I couldn't resist the dogs. I approached Nancy Fierer, who was the director at the time, and told her I was interested in getting involved with SSD when I eventually retired. For those who know Nancy, you won't be surprised that her response was something along the lines of "why wait until you retire?" and I didn't have a good answer. So, I filled out an application, volunteered as a puppy sitter for a few months, and became a puppy raiser. Six dogs and many amazing experiences later, I'm hooked!

I enjoy working with the dogs and seeing them progress from precious fur balls to attentive, intelligent workers. But the people are just as much of a draw. I've met many wonderful partners and staff, and have formed great friendships with other volunteers. SSD has been a life-changer for me!

Why do I walk? Along with the opportunity to raise money for Susquehanna Service Dogs, I enjoy the walk around the HACC campus, time with friends, and the chance to meet others who are just as passionate about the charities they support. How could I say no?

Event Details

When
Saturday, May 21
On-site registration begins at 7:45 a.m.
5K Walk begins at 9 a.m.
One-Mile Fun Walk begins at 9:15 a.m.

Where
HACC
1 HACC Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Registration
Sign up for the Walk

We #WalkforSSD because it's all about filling needs

Guest blog post by Shari Brenizer and Ellen Gladfelter, volunteer puppy raisers for Susquehanna Service Dogs

Three years ago, we decided to sign up to be puppy raisers because we said goodbye to our two family dogs within a year of each other. We never wanted to have to do that again but knew our family was missing a dog.

Susquehanna Service Dogs fills the needs of many individuals with disabilities. We have watched individuals with visible disabilities become more independent by having a dog who has helped them navigate their daily routines and to live more independently. We have watched individuals with invisible disabilities have more confidence, companionship, and reassurance in their daily lives.

We have had the opportunity in the last three years to raise four dogs, all at different stages in their journey. SSD Ali, Orlando, Annabelle, and Thornwald all filled a need in our lives that make us better puppy raisers and supporters of SSD.

SSD Ali is a breeder for SSD and continues to add puppies that will grow to be the next generation of service dogs! Ali is the proud momma of two litters, the Carlisle Litter and the Cheese Litter, who are growing up and will one day fill the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Orlando and Thornwald have chosen different paths other than being service dogs--and they have both filled the needs of families who wanted loyal and loving family pets.

Annabelle has also chosen a different path, but she has filled our need to love and want our very own pet again. She joined our forever family in October.

Susquehanna Service Dogs is about filling needs for all people, and we are truly blessed to be a part of this great organization.

Join Shari, Ellen, and Susquehanna Service Dogs for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community! SSD is one of 47 organizations participating in the Highmark Walk, and 100% of the money you raise comes directly to SSD!

Event Details

When
Saturday, May 21
On-site registration begins at 7:45 a.m.
5K Walk begins at 9 a.m.
One-Mile Fun Walk begins at 9:15 a.m.

Where
HACC
1 HACC Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Registration
Sign up for the Walk

Highmark Walk Update: We’re Almost at our Goal

We’re so close to reaching our goal of raising $30,000 in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community! We just need to raise $2,572 more!

Luckily, there’s still time for you to make a donation. Donate now to help us reach our goal!

The Walk itself took place on Saturday, May 16. It was a beautiful morning. We were thrilled to see 193 people walk for us!

Our puppies in training enjoyed the Walk, too. Many of them spent extra time working on their loose leash walking so they could show off their skills at the Walk.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community and to everyone who donated!

And don’t forget, there’s still time to make your donations! 

Welcome SSD GDQ Eva from Australia!

Give a warm welcome to Eva! Eva just arrived from Guide Dogs Queensland in Australia, and she’s going to be making her home with Susquehanna Service Dogs. She flew across an ocean and a continent to get here, accompanied by GDQ’s CEO, Chris Laine.

Eva is a sweet 14-month-old black lab, who has been fully trained as a guide dog. Because of her particular traits and genetics, she was chosen to become a breeding dog. Eva will be having several litters of puppies who will become service dogs.

Will you support Eva and her future puppies? From now until January 6, 2014, we’re holding an online fundraiser, and our goal is to raise $3,300 in support of Eva. Your donation will make it possible for Eva and her puppies to change people’s lives.

We’re very excited to have Eva! She’s a special dog, and not only because she had to travel so far to get here. Eva is part of the Assistance Dogs International North America Breeding Cooperative (ABC), which we are a part of. ABC is a group of service dog organizations throughout North America who are dedicated to developing high quality service dogs. Each of us assign our best broods (females) and studs (males) to the co-op. When we whelp a litter, half of the puppies stay with us and the other half will be distributed among the other members.

What does ABC mean for SSD?  It means that we will always have a supply of puppies, which in turn means that we will have dogs to train as service dogs who will ultimately change people’s lives. Even more importantly, the quality of these dogs will be higher because ABC helps strengthen genetic lines and create dogs who are best suited to service dog work.

That’s where Eva comes in. Guide Dogs Queensland has spent many years developing their genetic lines. Now that Eva has joined SSD, she will help us produce dogs who are even better service dogs.

Please support SSD and Eva by donating online. Your donation will help change lives.

Thank you for your support!

Lucky Dog Casino Night

Roulette, craps, black jack, Texas Hold’em—the green felt tables were full by the end of the night at Lucky Dog Casino Night.

This year, instead of our traditional Black Tie & Tails dinner dance, we decided to hold a casino night. We had a blast, and we hope our guests did, too!

The Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey was decked out for the night with cards, dice, and poker chips. The evening started with a reception. Guests chatted and perused the silent auction items ringing the room. This year, there were over 60 items for guests to bid on, including a beautiful wreath, dog gift baskets, stunning jewelry, a designer scarf, and luggage filled with board games.

We all enjoyed a delicious dinner of Chicken Wellington, with vanilla ice cream and cookies for dessert. After dinner, we auctioned off a beautiful hand-stitched quilt; Fruity Drink Night at the home of our director, Nancy; puppy naming rights, and of course, a vacation in Las Vegas.

The gaming tables opened up after that. Each guest was given a voucher with chips and soon some guests had piles of colorful chips stacked in front of them. At the end of the night, the four people with the most chips received prizes: a wine tasting trip for 12, a designer dog bowl and brush, a lovely woven blanket, and an SSD sweatshirt.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped set up and make sure the evening ran smoothly. And a special thank you to all of our volunteer casino dealers!

Help Us Reach Our Goal!

The Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community is on Saturday. That’s less than one week away!

So far, our friends have helped us raise $8,810 toward our goal of $20,000. Help us reach 100%!

Why is this $20,000 so important?

With that $20,000, we can:

• Care for 4 litters of puppies from the time they’re born until they’re 8 weeks old (We have three litters right now!
• Send 20 puppies to puppy classes
• Teach 6 people how to work with their new service dog at Team Training
• Follow up with 40 working service dog teams to make sure their service dog is still meeting their needs

How can you help?

1. Sign up for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, raise money, and walk on May 18.
2. Be a virtual walker and raise money.
3. Make a donation.

Event Details

When

Saturday, May 18

On-site registration: 7:45 a.m.

5K Walk: 9 a.m.

One Mile Fun Walk: 9:15 a.m.

Where

Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)

1 HACC Drive

Harrisburg, PA 17110

SSD Vicki’s Top 3 Reasons to Join the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community

SSD Vicki is only three months old, and this is going to be her first time walking in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community to support Susquehanna Service Dogs. Here are her top three reasons for joining the Highmark Walk. 

1. Exercise! What could be better than going for a long walk in the spring? Sun, green grass, bright flowers, all of the great smells and new people--I can't wait! Plus, the Highmwark Walk route through the Harrisburg Area Community College campus is accessible and dog-friendly!
2. Food! Everyone who walks for Susquehanna Service Dogs in the Highmark Walk on May 18 is invited to a picnic afterwards. I wish I were allowed to eat some too, because it's going to be delicious!
3. Changing lives! Every penny raised for SSD in the Highmark Walk goes directly to SSD to train dogs like me to become service dogs. In about two years, I'll meet my new partner, and I'll open doors, pick things up, find the phone, and more so he or she can be more independent. I have a lot to learn, but with your help, I'll get there!

How can you support Vicki and SSD in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community?

1. Sign up for the Highmark Walk, raise money, and walk on May 18, 2013.
2. Can't make it? Be a virtual walker.
3. Make a donation.

Event Details

When

Saturday, May 18, 2013

On-site registration: 7:45 a.m.

5K Walk: 9 a.m.

One Mile Fun Walk: 9:15 a.m.

Where

Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)

1 HACC Drive

Harrisburg, PA 17110

SSD Fire Has His Sneakers Ready. Do You?

SSD Fire has his sneakers ready for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. Do you have yours ready?

Susquehanna Service Dogs is one of 41 organizations participating in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. Lace up your sneakers and join Fire and SSD in the 5K Walk or One Mile Fun Walk at Harrisburg Area Community College on May 18. All of the funds raised for SSD go directly to SSD.

There are several ways you can support SSD in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community.

1. Sign up for the Highmark Walk, raise money, and walk on May 18, 2013.
2. Can't make it? Be a virtual walker.
3. Make a donation.

Our goal is to raise $20,000. Those funds will cover the cost of caring for four litters of puppies for the first nine weeks of their lives. Right now, we have three litters that need your support! with your help, we can reach 100% of our goal and get these puppies off to a good start.

These puppies will become service dogs and change lives. Soon after getting his service dog, one boy slept in his own bed for the first time, with his service dog curled up next to him. "It did not take long to realize what an amazing dog Shamrock is," said the boy's mother. "I have seen so much good from my son and Shamrock being together."

Will you join us for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community and help us change lives?

EVENT DETAILS

When
Saturday, May 18, 2013
On-site registration: 7:45 a.m.
5K Walk: 9 a.m.
One Mile Fun Walk: 9:15 a.m.

Where
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)
1 HACC Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17110