Services SwiftDogz

Therapy Dogs: Our dogs either have or have had there TDI certification and we would visit nursing homes, hospitals, and anywhere else needed. This takes a toll seeing the situations people are in, but seeing the person’s eyes light up when you visit makes it much more worth the effort. We would like to applaud everyone that does this and encourage anyone to do this service. The two main groups are Therapy Dogs International and Delta Society that we recommend.

-         We encourage anyone that wants to get into Therapy work to go with someone that has a certified dog and watch and learn as much as possible before getting a dog for this work. Not every dog is cut out for this type of work, and it is work as we mention above it does take a toll on any dog over a period of time.

-         We also suggest coming and take some training or find someone that will help you train your companion to do this. We believe here that no dog can have enough training, and this is no different.

Assisted Living Therapy Dogs: We have placed dogs with people within assisted living centers that have certified on that dog as a therapy dog. This has been a great success as the updates are always positive and the residents love having that companionship and love from a dog especially if they are away from their canines. These dogs become permanent residents in the living center and are always loving on someone. We can find and temperament test a canine that may be a prospect to live in a facility.

Service Dogs: This has been very gratifying to us. We have placed one dog with U.S. Homeland Security and Customs Enforcement and always looking for the next one. We have also placed another with a private company that also did military contracts for bomb detection and arson detection. Knowing these dogs have possibly saved a life or stopped criminal or really bad things from happing is a wonderful thing. We do continue to look for these dogs for these trades when we are around Animal Control.

The story of Nathan King Cole "Nate"

Nathan King Cole was one of the first rescued Border Collies that passed through the hands of SBCR. He is essentially the four-legged co-founder of this organization.

His original owner sinfully abused Nate. It is believed that Nate was struck by coal truck on a country road in West Virginia; he then fled the site for months. He eventually returned, his leg was badly broken, and bleeding. Once he returned he was kept into a cage barely large enough for him to stand-up or turns around.

He received none of the veterinarian care he desperately needed. Nate was kept caged, fed through the holes in the rusted wire if he was lucky, and watered through the top of the cage. The door was never opened, the cage was never cleaned, and he was never spoken to in a respectful manner. He lay amongst his own waste for some months. A phone call saved his life, and Nate was taken into custody in the wee hours of the morning.

Nate was traumatized, malnourished, and spiritless. Yet, Nate's eyes shone full of hope and desire and he never lost track his sense of faith. Eight months later Nate's rehabilitation found him being evaluated to become a therapy dog, and he now has earned Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dogs International and Therapy Dogs International Active awards. Nate is expected to earn his Therapy Dog International Outstanding Volunteer title within the next few months. In addition, Nate has earned numerous obedience awards. Nate has helped so many in such unspeakable ways.

Nate's photo was taken this past spring of 2003 at an assisted living home in Albemarle, NC. Nate is pictured here working as a therapy dog. He is Jenni's true inspiration and even earned "Runner Up" in the News14 Charlotte's Top Dog Contest.

                                      Hoss and Co-Director Robert Watson are pictured here at the Hispanic Learning Center on

                                      July 18, 2003. Hoss is a Certified Therapy Dog, Charter Canine and holds a Canine Good Citizen.



Sabre is an Akita owned by Pat and Don Mackowiak. He has just passed his TDI, CGC certification and has begun his visitation to local nursing homes. Sabre is a joy to have in our organization and we look forward to working with him and seeing him "at work!"

Lundi was rescued be SwiftDogz Border Collie Rescue in May of 2003. He suffered from   parvovirus, and severe intestinal worms, along with kennel cough and a secondary bacterial infection. Due to complications with his health, Lundi was near death on several occasions.

However, Lundi's determination shone through, and day by day he began to eat more, play more and show his true sense of heart.

Lundi was a participant in the Canines Can Change Program for three programs and he had a sense of understanding which each of the student handlers. He charmed those around him with his antics and calm, inviting demeanor and several times throughout his stay, Lundi was said to be a permanent resident.

Lundi was traveling down Emotional Service Dog Avenue, and is the youngest Canine Participant to become a Charter Canine in the Canines Can Change Program at the age of 5 months old.

Recently, Lundi has been "hired" to perform a needful task to which he has become a permanent resident at Eden Gardens Nursing Center here in Concord, NC. There he will continue his path to becoming a Certified Therapy Dog and will be the sunshine to many who walk the hallways.

Although it is difficult to let Lundi move on to the Service Dog world, we at SwiftDogz Border    Collie Rescue know in our hearts that this is his reason to survive.

God Bless you Lundi, and good Luck!

Winchester

US Customs Agent K. Molidor puts Winchester through some tests, just before loading him into the 12-dog trailer to be transported to Fort Royal Virginia. A basket is used here, to determine Winchester's intent to retrieve. As you can see, Winchester passed with flying colors, never taking his eyes off of the towel!