NEWSLETTER
Quarterly Issue II
July 2024
July 2024
In this issue, we will share:
1. Liberty Dogs Volunteer Puppy Raising - How YOU can get involved.
2. Liberty Dogs Team is growing!
3. Liberty Dogs' Activities This Quarter
4. COMING SOON: Job Opportunities for Service Dog Instructors and Apprentice Service Dog Trainers!
Independence for our nation is celebrated each year, but, for Liberty Dogs, "Independence" also signifies our important mission to improve the quality of life for our Veterans with disabilities after they are matched with a Liberty Service Dog.
This summer, Liberty Dogs is preparing the first phase of its Volunteer Program: Puppy Raising. Stay tuned for other volunteer opportunities, which will become available in 2026 when the Liberty Dogs campus opens! Thank you to all who have reached out to offer your time to volunteer! We promise there will be many ways to support our amazing mission to help Veterans live with more independence!
1. Liberty Dogs Volunteer Puppy Raising - How YOU can get involved.
2. Liberty Dogs Team is growing!
3. Liberty Dogs' Activities This Quarter
4. COMING SOON: Job Opportunities for Service Dog Instructors and Apprentice Service Dog Trainers!
Independence for our nation is celebrated each year, but, for Liberty Dogs, "Independence" also signifies our important mission to improve the quality of life for our Veterans with disabilities after they are matched with a Liberty Service Dog.
This summer, Liberty Dogs is preparing the first phase of its Volunteer Program: Puppy Raising. Stay tuned for other volunteer opportunities, which will become available in 2026 when the Liberty Dogs campus opens! Thank you to all who have reached out to offer your time to volunteer! We promise there will be many ways to support our amazing mission to help Veterans live with more independence!
Liberty Dogs™
Volunteer
Puppy Raising
Volunteer
Puppy Raising
By Stephen La Vallee, Director of Canine Programs at Liberty Dogs
Liberty Dogs is quickly moving into its first phase of recruiting volunteers. While most volunteer positions will be available when the state-of-the-art Liberty Dogs campus opens in 2026, one important volunteer opportunity begins this Fall 2024.
WHERE WILL LIBERTY SERVICE DOGS COME FROM?
Developing a successful Service Dog Program relies on three Foundational Elements:
1. Intake of Dogs that show a strong foundation for success,
2. Puppy Raising (or an Exposure Program for older dogs), and
3. Advanced Service Dog Training.
Where will Liberty Service Dogs come from for the first Foundational Element? Liberty Dogs will acquire its prospective Service Dogs from two tracks:
Track 1 - Through a Purpose-Bred Puppy Program beginning Fall 2024.
Track 2 - By recruiting shelter and rescue dogs beginning in late 2025.
Track 2’s prospective Service Dogs will be from local shelters and rescues. We encourage communities to support local shelters/rescues. Their staff work tirelessly to find loving homes for animals needing a second chance. Many shelters struggle with constant full facilities. In late 2025, Liberty Dogs will identify shelter dogs with the right size and temperament, who display the desire to potentially make a great Service Dog, and then recruit them into our Liberty Service Dog training curriculum. We continue to forge strong relationships with animal shelters and rescues so that, when we are ready, we can begin training shelter and rescue dogs.
The first track, our Liberty Dogs Purpose-Bred Program, and more specifically, the Puppy Raiser Program, has a longer development stage than Track 2 and is the focus of today’s article.
Liberty Dogs is quickly moving into its first phase of recruiting volunteers. While most volunteer positions will be available when the state-of-the-art Liberty Dogs campus opens in 2026, one important volunteer opportunity begins this Fall 2024.
WHERE WILL LIBERTY SERVICE DOGS COME FROM?
Developing a successful Service Dog Program relies on three Foundational Elements:
1. Intake of Dogs that show a strong foundation for success,
2. Puppy Raising (or an Exposure Program for older dogs), and
3. Advanced Service Dog Training.
Where will Liberty Service Dogs come from for the first Foundational Element? Liberty Dogs will acquire its prospective Service Dogs from two tracks:
Track 1 - Through a Purpose-Bred Puppy Program beginning Fall 2024.
Track 2 - By recruiting shelter and rescue dogs beginning in late 2025.
Track 2’s prospective Service Dogs will be from local shelters and rescues. We encourage communities to support local shelters/rescues. Their staff work tirelessly to find loving homes for animals needing a second chance. Many shelters struggle with constant full facilities. In late 2025, Liberty Dogs will identify shelter dogs with the right size and temperament, who display the desire to potentially make a great Service Dog, and then recruit them into our Liberty Service Dog training curriculum. We continue to forge strong relationships with animal shelters and rescues so that, when we are ready, we can begin training shelter and rescue dogs.
The first track, our Liberty Dogs Purpose-Bred Program, and more specifically, the Puppy Raiser Program, has a longer development stage than Track 2 and is the focus of today’s article.
LIBERTY DOGS PUPPY RAISING PROGRAMS -
Raising a puppy for Liberty Dogs is one of the most exciting and meaningful endeavors a person can undertake. There is arguably no higher calling than raising a Service Dog for a Veteran with disabilities. An excellent training program is crucial to a successful Service Dog Training Program. The most critical element of a Service Dog's journey is arguably the Foster Program, also known as the Puppy Raising Program. This program relies entirely on the dedication of individuals who commit to raising, socializing, and assisting in the training of a Service Dog-in-training from its early days into young adulthood. After approximately 12 months, the puppy will return to the Liberty Dogs campus for advanced training.
We are excited to announce that in late 2024, Liberty Dogs will begin receiving 8-week-old puppies. For the first 12 months, these puppies will be placed in one of three Puppy Raising programs.
1. “The Prison Program” - The Prison Program is a collaborative and innovative partnership with the Nevada Department of Corrections where pre-approved inmates will work under the guidance of Liberty Service Dog Instructors to foster and teach puppies good manners and basic instruction. Prison Program initiatives have been successfully implemented across the country, and with Liberty Dogs’ enhancements, it is poised for success in Nevada. However, to ensure puppies in institutions receive adequate exposure to varied environments, part-time volunteer puppy raisers are essential. In this program, volunteers will spend time with the puppies on weekends or evenings, providing them with experiences not available in institutional settings. This setup is ideal for those who want to contribute but cannot commit to raising a puppy full-time. The Liberty Dogs Prison Program will launch in Fall 2024, and we cannot wait to share more in future newsletters about this amazing program and the positive impact it will have, not only on our future Service Dogs but on the incarcerated handlers who will work directly with the puppies.
2. “4-H Puppy Raising Program” – The 4-H Program is in development and focuses on children aged 12 to 17 participating in 4-H. Liberty Dogs, in collaboration with our local 4-H program, is creating a charter to engage young children and their families in this rewarding project. This family-oriented initiative will allow a youngster to be a Liberty Service Dog Puppy Raiser Co-Leader, supported by family members or relatives.
3. “The Community Volunteer Puppy Raiser Program” – This is where YOU, our incredible community, can help make a difference for Veterans with disabilities by raising a puppy who will become a Liberty Service Dog!
Raising a puppy for Liberty Dogs is one of the most exciting and meaningful endeavors a person can undertake. There is arguably no higher calling than raising a Service Dog for a Veteran with disabilities. An excellent training program is crucial to a successful Service Dog Training Program. The most critical element of a Service Dog's journey is arguably the Foster Program, also known as the Puppy Raising Program. This program relies entirely on the dedication of individuals who commit to raising, socializing, and assisting in the training of a Service Dog-in-training from its early days into young adulthood. After approximately 12 months, the puppy will return to the Liberty Dogs campus for advanced training.
We are excited to announce that in late 2024, Liberty Dogs will begin receiving 8-week-old puppies. For the first 12 months, these puppies will be placed in one of three Puppy Raising programs.
1. “The Prison Program” - The Prison Program is a collaborative and innovative partnership with the Nevada Department of Corrections where pre-approved inmates will work under the guidance of Liberty Service Dog Instructors to foster and teach puppies good manners and basic instruction. Prison Program initiatives have been successfully implemented across the country, and with Liberty Dogs’ enhancements, it is poised for success in Nevada. However, to ensure puppies in institutions receive adequate exposure to varied environments, part-time volunteer puppy raisers are essential. In this program, volunteers will spend time with the puppies on weekends or evenings, providing them with experiences not available in institutional settings. This setup is ideal for those who want to contribute but cannot commit to raising a puppy full-time. The Liberty Dogs Prison Program will launch in Fall 2024, and we cannot wait to share more in future newsletters about this amazing program and the positive impact it will have, not only on our future Service Dogs but on the incarcerated handlers who will work directly with the puppies.
2. “4-H Puppy Raising Program” – The 4-H Program is in development and focuses on children aged 12 to 17 participating in 4-H. Liberty Dogs, in collaboration with our local 4-H program, is creating a charter to engage young children and their families in this rewarding project. This family-oriented initiative will allow a youngster to be a Liberty Service Dog Puppy Raiser Co-Leader, supported by family members or relatives.
3. “The Community Volunteer Puppy Raiser Program” – This is where YOU, our incredible community, can help make a difference for Veterans with disabilities by raising a puppy who will become a Liberty Service Dog!
The Liberty Dogs “Community Volunteer Puppy Raising Program” -
Puppies will be selected by the Liberty Dogs Canine and Training teams based on temperament evaluations and medical veterinary checks. At 8 weeks old, they will begin their journey with their Puppy Raisers.
ORIENTATION: Puppy Raisers will participate in two preliminary classes without the puppy. During these sessions, Liberty Dogs’ training staff will cover program scheduling, what to expect during the first few days of fostering, potty training, feeding, care, and initial socialization. These classes are designed to answer questions, address concerns, and prepare Puppy Raisers for the rewarding journey.
Liberty Dogs will provide comprehensive support for puppy raisers. The organization will provide all necessary supplies, including food, training equipment like leashes, collars, and a crate for the puppy to sleep in. We will also cover all veterinary care. The day you pick up your Liberty Dogs puppy, you'll meet with the Canine Department to review the puppy's medical history and receive your training equipment. Because it's crucial to start our puppies on the right path, each Puppy Raiser will be provided with a manual that covers everything from A to Z. This manual includes detailed instructions, requirements, and guidelines for raising a puppy. Additionally, there will be printed and electronic materials featuring the 12 initial weekly lessons.
Puppies will be selected by the Liberty Dogs Canine and Training teams based on temperament evaluations and medical veterinary checks. At 8 weeks old, they will begin their journey with their Puppy Raisers.
ORIENTATION: Puppy Raisers will participate in two preliminary classes without the puppy. During these sessions, Liberty Dogs’ training staff will cover program scheduling, what to expect during the first few days of fostering, potty training, feeding, care, and initial socialization. These classes are designed to answer questions, address concerns, and prepare Puppy Raisers for the rewarding journey.
Liberty Dogs will provide comprehensive support for puppy raisers. The organization will provide all necessary supplies, including food, training equipment like leashes, collars, and a crate for the puppy to sleep in. We will also cover all veterinary care. The day you pick up your Liberty Dogs puppy, you'll meet with the Canine Department to review the puppy's medical history and receive your training equipment. Because it's crucial to start our puppies on the right path, each Puppy Raiser will be provided with a manual that covers everything from A to Z. This manual includes detailed instructions, requirements, and guidelines for raising a puppy. Additionally, there will be printed and electronic materials featuring the 12 initial weekly lessons.
MEETING YOUR PUPPY: Once the Puppy Raiser picks up their puppy, the adventure truly begins. Depending on who you ask, you might hear that this is when the fun starts or when the work starts, but at Liberty Dogs, we like to say it’s both.
The first few days with any puppy can be a bit challenging. However, we pride ourselves on identifying puppies that are genetically predisposed for service work.
A key component of raising a puppy isn’t just about the amount of training one does, but the consistency in teaching the daily routine. Think of it like this: it's not how many times you ask them to sit, but how consistently you enforce the instruction. It's crucial to shape these young Service Dogs-in-training into productive household members who understand that love and affection are the ultimate rewards. We emphasize treating our puppies with the same fairness as we would a loved one, including setting boundaries like not letting them turn your living room into a playground. The Liberty Dogs Training and Puppy Departments will prepare each Puppy Raiser for this adventure, making sure they are ready for any challenge.
The first few days with any puppy can be a bit challenging. However, we pride ourselves on identifying puppies that are genetically predisposed for service work.
A key component of raising a puppy isn’t just about the amount of training one does, but the consistency in teaching the daily routine. Think of it like this: it's not how many times you ask them to sit, but how consistently you enforce the instruction. It's crucial to shape these young Service Dogs-in-training into productive household members who understand that love and affection are the ultimate rewards. We emphasize treating our puppies with the same fairness as we would a loved one, including setting boundaries like not letting them turn your living room into a playground. The Liberty Dogs Training and Puppy Departments will prepare each Puppy Raiser for this adventure, making sure they are ready for any challenge.
PUPPY RAISING TRAINING: One of the key requirements for raising a Liberty Dogs puppy is attending weekly or biweekly classes with professionally trained Liberty Service Dog Instructors. These fun sessions offer a chance to work with the puppy, bond with other puppy raisers, enjoy playgroups, and exchange ideas and experiences. Historically, participants have found classes a fantastic opportunity, often forming lifelong friendships.
Weekly puppy lessons will focus first on the essentials: basic obedience, leash management, and equipping the team with behavior management tools—giving every Liberty Service Dog-in-training a strong foundation. Each lesson builds on the previous one, ensuring steady, incremental progress. Over 12 weeks, the puppy will learn most of the basic obedience commands, transforming from an untrained puppy into a Service Dog-in-training. Remember, this isn’t a pass-or-fail program; it's a continuous learning journey for both the Puppy Raiser and the puppy.
GUIDED OUTINGS AND DAY TRIPS: Between 4 ½ and 6 months of age, the puppies and their raisers will begin participating in outings and day trips, initially accompanied by Liberty Dogs training staff. These milestones are vital to ensure puppies receive the appropriate exposure at the right times. Outings will be enjoyable gatherings, providing opportunities for puppies and raisers to experience new environments to learn together, fostering growth and development. The significance of outings and day trips and their contribution to the success of a Service Dog cannot be overstated. These socialization opportunities form the foundation where a Service Dog's training and development are built. Interacting with diverse people, animals, environments, and different stimuli in a controlled and positive manner helps Service Dogs learn appropriate behavior and develop good manners. It also teaches them to be confident and relaxed in a variety of settings, which is vital for effective service work. Puppy Raisers are provided with all the essential components of a comprehensive training program that prepares Service Dogs to assist and support Veterans with disabilities in various real-world scenarios.
Weekly puppy lessons will focus first on the essentials: basic obedience, leash management, and equipping the team with behavior management tools—giving every Liberty Service Dog-in-training a strong foundation. Each lesson builds on the previous one, ensuring steady, incremental progress. Over 12 weeks, the puppy will learn most of the basic obedience commands, transforming from an untrained puppy into a Service Dog-in-training. Remember, this isn’t a pass-or-fail program; it's a continuous learning journey for both the Puppy Raiser and the puppy.
GUIDED OUTINGS AND DAY TRIPS: Between 4 ½ and 6 months of age, the puppies and their raisers will begin participating in outings and day trips, initially accompanied by Liberty Dogs training staff. These milestones are vital to ensure puppies receive the appropriate exposure at the right times. Outings will be enjoyable gatherings, providing opportunities for puppies and raisers to experience new environments to learn together, fostering growth and development. The significance of outings and day trips and their contribution to the success of a Service Dog cannot be overstated. These socialization opportunities form the foundation where a Service Dog's training and development are built. Interacting with diverse people, animals, environments, and different stimuli in a controlled and positive manner helps Service Dogs learn appropriate behavior and develop good manners. It also teaches them to be confident and relaxed in a variety of settings, which is vital for effective service work. Puppy Raisers are provided with all the essential components of a comprehensive training program that prepares Service Dogs to assist and support Veterans with disabilities in various real-world scenarios.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR VOLUNTEER PUPPY RAISERS: Puppies that complete the advanced training program will be matched with prospective Veterans with disabilities. This matching process, while sometimes seen as magical, requires significant time, effort, and energy to ensure that each Liberty Service Dog is paired with the perfect Veteran recipient. At Liberty Dogs, we understand that raising a Liberty Dog is a team effort. We're committed to providing ample support and guidance to ensure each Puppy Raising team nurtures their puppy into a responsible and well-trained Liberty Dog. Along the way, we'll celebrate milestones together, striving to meet every puppy's potential. It's a truly beautiful moment during the graduation ceremony when the Veteran recipient can meet with the Puppy Raiser. This moment symbolizes the completion of the circle of life for a Liberty Service Dog and is truly something to behold.
To learn more about becoming a Community Volunteer Puppy Raiser for Liberty Dogs, please click the RED BUTTON below. THANK YOU!!!
IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A LIBERTY DOG!
To learn more about becoming a Community Volunteer Puppy Raiser for Liberty Dogs, please click the RED BUTTON below. THANK YOU!!!
IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A LIBERTY DOG!
The Liberty Dogs™
Team is growing!
MEET SUMMER GONZALES!
Liberty Dogs is excited to announce our new Controller, Summer Gonzales!
Summer is a Certified Public Accountant who has diverse experience in public, private, and non-profit roles. Her capability building financial systems from the ground up has already provided great value to Liberty Dogs. She will develop aspects of our finance department as well as provide cost analyses and budgetary refinements as Liberty Dogs moves closer to our opening in 2026.
Summer is a local northern Nevadan who graduated from Galena High School in Reno, Nevada and then graduated from California State University, Sacramento on a full ride scholarship in soccer! If you ask Summer about her soccer skills, she is modest and unpretentious. But don't underestimate this powerhouse on the soccer field!
Summer and her husband have three amazing daughters. They love road trips, ATVing at Sand Mountain, camping with friends, and, of course, playing soccer!
MEET TODD YOUNG!
Please help us welcome our new Dog Training Manager, Todd Young.
Todd will be responsible for managing the Dog Training Program and the Apprentice Trainer Course Program. He will develop, implement, and coordinate all aspects of these programs and will ensure dogs are successfully trained to become Service Dogs for Veteran clients. Todd will launch, mentor, and guide our first eight Apprentice Service Dog Trainer positions beginning in Fall 2024. Stay tuned for those job openings later this summer!
Todd has worked at every level of the Service Dog industry for over 17 years. A master Service Dog trainer, he shares, "To this day, I still feel that training Service Dogs is one of the most amazing jobs ever! I have witnessed miracles that only dogs could achieve for disabled persons, in spite of the sincerest efforts by humans."
Todd has lived in northern Nevada for three years and has many hobbies. He loves mountain biking, skiing, playing Pickle Ball, and flying with his father, who has a private plane. Todd is also quite good at operating drones, which he attributes his great eye-hand coordination from years of playing video games.
MEET KAREN GREIS!
Please help Liberty Dogs welcome our newest team member, Karen Greis, Director of Veteran Programs.
Karen has over 16 years of experience in the Service and Guide Dog industry, working with Veterans and civilians throughout the United States and Canada. She is the proud daughter of a highly decorated Marine who was an "Edson Raider" in the famous WWII battle at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
As a cancer survivor, Karen chose to shift from her successful 30-year career manufacturing women's clothing in New York City, to doing something closer to home. As luck would have it, she happened upon an ad in the Long Island "PennySaver" recruiting Puppy Trainers! She fell in love with the puppies as well as the students who would eventually receive the Service and Guide Dogs. Since those early years, Karen has devoted her time to learning the industry and expanding her knowledge in a variety of roles within Service Dog operations.
Karen and her husband, Fred, have sponsored and raised many puppies that have gone on to be placed as Service and Guide Dogs. She is honored to work with and support our Veterans with disabilities as part of the Liberty Dogs Team and looks forward to our opening in 2026!
Please help Liberty Dogs welcome our newest team member, Karen Greis, Director of Veteran Programs.
Karen has over 16 years of experience in the Service and Guide Dog industry, working with Veterans and civilians throughout the United States and Canada. She is the proud daughter of a highly decorated Marine who was an "Edson Raider" in the famous WWII battle at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
As a cancer survivor, Karen chose to shift from her successful 30-year career manufacturing women's clothing in New York City, to doing something closer to home. As luck would have it, she happened upon an ad in the Long Island "PennySaver" recruiting Puppy Trainers! She fell in love with the puppies as well as the students who would eventually receive the Service and Guide Dogs. Since those early years, Karen has devoted her time to learning the industry and expanding her knowledge in a variety of roles within Service Dog operations.
Karen and her husband, Fred, have sponsored and raised many puppies that have gone on to be placed as Service and Guide Dogs. She is honored to work with and support our Veterans with disabilities as part of the Liberty Dogs Team and looks forward to our opening in 2026!
Liberty Dogs' Activities This Quarter
On April 17, 2024, Liberty Dogs was excited to welcome Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) President, Dr. Karin Hilgersom, and her esteemed members of the TMCC Executive Leadership for a campus tour.
In April, City of Sparks Attorney, Wes Duncan, and Deputy Attorney, Nic Danna, spent time touring the Liberty Dogs facility. Both gentlemen are Post 9/11 combat Veterans and continue to serve in the Reserves and Nevada National Guard.
On May 3, 2024, Brigadier General Dan Waters, Director of Joint Staff for the Nevada National Guard, discussed construction progress with Liberty Dogs CEO Kyle Cory-Yaeggi at the Liberty Dogs campus.
On June 17, 2024, Liberty Dogs was thrilled to welcome the Lieutenant Governor for the State of Nevada, Stavros Anthony, and his Senior Advisor, Michael Dayton, for a tour of the Liberty Dogs site.
On June 14, 2024, Nevada celebrated Flag Day and U.S. Army Birthday in Carson City, Nevada. Keynote Speaker was Brigadier General Dan Waters of the Nevada National Guard. The Liberty Dogs Team was represented by Karen Greis, Director of Veteran Programs, and Glenna Smith, Director of Administration.
July 16, 2024 marked a very special celebration honoring 9 Veterans who graduated from Reno Municipal Court's Veterans Treatment Court. The Honorable Shelly O'Neill and her Judicial Assistant Michelle Masi were joined by many staff, community partners, and Veteran mentors who have supported these Veterans over the past year. What a remarkable program that supports our Veterans! Liberty Dogs CEO, Kyle Cory-Yaeggi and colleagues, Karen Greis and Glenna Smith, were honored to be a part of this momentous occasion.
July 23, 2024 - Liberty Dogs CEO, Kyle Cory-Yaeggi, and Nevada Pacific Consulting COO, Janey John, are with the incredible team of artisans from Silver State Masonry. The guys are proud of the beautiful rock wall behind them. Liberty Dogs is proud of the many contractors and subcontractors working to make our campus stunning. Many thanks to Shawn Koffler for taking a few minutes to bring the team together for this photo. Thank you, Silver State Masonry!!!
Coming Soon!!!
New Job Opportunities for
Service Dog Instructors and
Apprentice Service Dog Trainers!
New Job Opportunities for
Service Dog Instructors and
Apprentice Service Dog Trainers!
In August, we will post eight (8) positions for Service Dog Instructors and paid Apprentice Service Dogs Trainers. Dog training experience is not a requirement for the apprentice positions. We encourage you to check our website and social media platforms for upcoming opportunities.
Website: https://www.libertydogs.org/employment-opportunities. Social media: LinkedIn and Indeed. These resources will be the most up-to-date. The Liberty Dogs campus is expected to open in early 2026 and most positions will be filled in late 2025 through early 2026.
Website: https://www.libertydogs.org/employment-opportunities. Social media: LinkedIn and Indeed. These resources will be the most up-to-date. The Liberty Dogs campus is expected to open in early 2026 and most positions will be filled in late 2025 through early 2026.
