Swift Dogz Border Collie and dog rescue program past newsletter

A note to all:

We are so fortunate to have met each of you over the last few years, and look forward to hearing how your furry family members are doing. I cannot express how much your support maintains this organization. As you know, the organization is only as successful as those who make up its people are. So, thank you! We have been listed, on the petfinder.com site, under the new program name-Canines Can Change. We have added an exciting new program to our organization and the response has been out of this world! Go to our website! www.petfinder.org/shelters/NC217.html

CANINES CHANGE CIRRUCULUM!

The Canines Can Change Program has had its first semester, which began in February of this year. The Program targets at-risk teenagers, many of which are already in a self-contained classroom. These children classify as Behaviorally and Emotionally Disabled (BED). Two schools, which had the opportunity to participate in the Canine Safety clinics during the earlier part of the school year (November 2002), agreed to take part in this newly developed program. The program evaluates dogs (primarily border collies, but also labs, golden retrievers and rough collies) to insure that their temperament is sound. The dogs must be at least one year old to participate. These dogs, which when accepted into the program, display a special way about them. These dogs tend to react well to new situations and respond to their student handler in a way that no human ever could. Many of the dogs which you (the adopters) have adopted in the past would have made great candidates for this, too bad we only just thought of this at the end last year!

Once evaluated for temperament, health, and behavior, we implement these dogs into a self-contained classroom. Once a week for six weeks, these dogs are trained rigorously on, commands such as sit, stay, come, lie down, and watch me. These dogs are brought into the school classroom and taught how to behave in new situations. After all, isn’t this the main reason many people relinquish their dogs in the first place? This program gives the canine a job, and the student focus. Confidence soars and smiles outlast as the dogs roll up on the class’ scheduled day!

Each of the participating dogs remain in my kennel (with few exceptions) and participate in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test at the end of the six week program. I, (Jenni Lough) am the student’s certified evaluator. This test points the many aspects of responsible dog ownership and for these wayward canines and students, learned life lessons never cease from the moment the leads are snapped onto the collars, to the very last step of the test. Positive training techniques SOLELY, are used to complete the mission of training their dogs to certify AKC-CGC.

Once the Canines Can Change Course is completed, the dogs are ready to be adopted and may finally “come home” as we call it! This program changes canine and students compassion, empathy, and confidence in such a way that even a professional canine trainer, schoolteacher or social worker cannot do. We recognize that these careers are vital to the rehabilitation process, however, the bond between child and canine is one no human on this earth can touch. God bless those canine therapists!

PHOTO CONTEST

We will be having a photo contest for anyone who has a special canine companion. This contest is an effort to raise money to benefit Swiftdogz Border Collie Rescue and the Canines Can Change Program(s). Photos can be mailed to the address listed below, and each photo is only $5.00 to enter. First, Second and Third Prizes will be awarded to the photos, which are chosen by the committee members. Photos cannot be returned, so be sure you are sending a double print. We look forward to getting your photos! Contest ends September 30, 2003. Awards will be sent through the mail, and winner’s names will be posted in the next newsletter. Send photos and $5.00 contribution per photo to: 36290-B Finger Rd. Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124. Please include Name(you and your dog) , telephone number and tell us about your dog! We’ll be waiting for those photos! Good Luck!

AWARDS 2002-2003

Exciting news! On Behalf of CCC and SBCR, we would like to announce up-coming awards, which will be presented to two lucky winners this year. These Awards will be given at the end of 2003. Eligible adopters must have adopted a canine companion from January of 2002, through July of 2003. We have decided to increase the time span to include more eligible adopting families. Next years will run from August 2003 to August 2004 and be awarded in December. Awards will include: ADOPTION OF THE YEAR and the NATHAN KING COLE AWARD.

ADOPTION OF THE YEAR CRITERIA

This award will go to the family who has overcome issues with the adjustment process of adopting a canine companion. This award is quite prestigious and has the burden of a tough decision behind the committee. Also taken into consideration, will be the dog’s rehabilitation time, and measure of success once he or she finally “comes home.” The family receiving this award will demonstrate a commitment towards their dog regarded as a family member, true and loyal. In addition, the family receiving this award has confided in the organization for advice or support, which also demonstrates their genuine care towards helping their canine family member to finally feel at home.

NATHAN KING COLE AWARD CRITERIA

This award has a significant spot in the hearts of many. This award is solely for the canine companion who has passed through our hands here at SBCR. This canine must have suffered great neglect, abuse, or even pain. He or she must have been able to succeed in the rehabilitation process, and become a well-mannered member of society. The canine must have a special heart, and have a place in the hearts of those he or she has grazed by. This award goes to the dog, which exemplifies similar willingness to survive and flourish in extreme situations

The History of the Nathan King Cole Award – Most know of his story but just to refresh your memory!

Nathan King Cole was one of the first rescued Border Collies, which 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 thrown into a cage barely large enough for him to stand-up or turn around.

He received none of the veterinarian care he desperately needed. Nate was kept there, 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 an uncertain amount of months. A mere phone call saved his miserable 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 had 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.

SUCCESSFUL ADOPTIONS FROM OCTOBER, 2003 TO JUNE 2003
Hannah CCC CGC Tan Merle Shepherd /Lab Rescue Date: Oct 12, 2002 Adoption Date: April 14, 2003	Zeus CCC,CGC, TDI Golden Retriever Mix Rescue Date: March 8, 2003 Adoption Date: April 25, 2003
Cindi CCC, CGC, TDI Red and White Border Collie Rescue Date: Feb. 8, 2003 Adoption Date: Feb. 9th, 2003	Marvin CCC Rough Collie Rescue Date: March 15, 2003 Adoption Date: May 4, 2003
Vinni Daschund Rescue Date: Feb. 14, 2003 Adoption Date: Feb. 22, 2003	Fly CC Black and White Border Collie Rescue Date: April 24, 2003 Adoption Date: May 5, 2003
Pumpkin Dark Red Golden Retriever Rescue Date: Feb. 15, 2003 Feb. 16, 2003 Sent to Golden Rescue Club of Charlotte	Emma Chocolate Labrador Rescue Date: May 9, 2003 Adoption Date: June 12, 2003
Maggi CCC White, Tri-color Border Collie Rescue Date: Feb. 22, 2003 Fostered April 19, 2003 Adopted by foster family April 24, 2003	Noah (renamed Max) Black Labrador Rescue Date: June 11, 2003 Fostered Date: June 18, 2003
Murphi CCC, CGC, TDI Yellow Labrador Rescue Date: March 4, 2003 Adoption Date: March 21, 2003

AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION

Lilli - Female blue merel Border Collie

Jenna - Female Tri-color Border Collie

Maddi - Female Tri-color Border Collie

Lundi - Male B/W Border Collie (Lundi is still under evaluation)

Summer 2003 Newsletter