Training with Hero Dogs
Holly and Skipper are two of our Goldens in training with Hero Dogs, a non-profit that raises and trains service dogs for disabled veterans. We don't train service dogs ourselves, but we are proud to provide the puppies.
Their Instagram photos are fun to follow, and they show the kind of socialization you can practise with your own puppy. If you are looking for a good cause, please consider donating to Hero Dogs.
Therapy and service
Our stud Tucker is a trained therapy dog and has been on TV with his guardian. Other Promise Land dogs work as service dogs, and one sits with children who have to testify in court.
In the spotlight
In 2017 our puppies appeared in a film on pets and non-GMO food by the Institute for Responsible Technology, and did photo shoots for CTIA Everything Wireless in Washington, DC. In 2019 one of our puppies, Angel, was on WBAL TV with Dr. Hammond.
Service dogs and emotional support dogs
They are not the same. Service dogs are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and may go places other dogs cannot. They are also covered by the Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, so they may live in rentals that otherwise ban pets.
Service dogs help in many ways: alerting to an oncoming seizure, to an allergen, or to changes in blood sugar; opening doors and turning on lights for people with limited mobility; alerting people who are hard of hearing to alarms and doorbells; and calming people living with PTSD, anxiety, depression or autism.
When choosing a breed for service work, start from the help you need rather than looks. Someone with balance problems, for example, may need a dog of at least 50 pounds. Talk to a service-dog organization or trainer before you choose.