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Putnam Service Dogs Unveil First Puppies

The puppies at Putnam Service Dogs in Brewster are ready to go to work.

Putnam Service Dogs recently unveiled its first three puppies.

Photo Credit: Putnam Service Dogs
Amy and Ally.

Amy and Ally.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Putnam Service Dogs introduced its first three puppies that will begin training to become service dogs. The puppies all came from high kill shelters and were adopted from local rescue groups. The first classes begin Thursday.

Anna is a 12-week-old yellow lab mix that was rescued from Puerto Rico and flown up by PawSafe, a rescue group in Danbury.

Amy, a 9-week-old shepherd mix, was rescued in Alabama and flown up by Happy Life, a rescue group in Patterson.

Allie, a 12-week-old black lab mix, was rescued from Mississippi and flown up by ROAR, a rescue operation for animals in Ridgefield. 

"We're pretty excited," Nancy Teague, who started Putnam Service Dogs, said. 

Teague founded the organization last fall, having been in the service dog industry for the last decade. She said she felt there was a real need for more service dogs.

"Dogs can make a whole difference in these people's lives," Teague said. "Handicap people tend to be quite isolated, but with a service dog, they become more approachable."

Service dogs allow people to be more independent, Teague said. The dogs can help them pick up dropped items, turn lights on and off and get dressed.

"It takes a lot of burden off of the family," Teague said. 

Teague said service dogs need to be very confident, friendly and focused. Most dogs are not able to be service dogs, Teague said. Dogs are trained to meet the unique needs of the person they are serving, Teague said.

"They have to have a work ethic," Teague said. 

For more information, visit www.putnamservicedogs.org

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