2024 Impact Report |
Meet Maggie who joined the Liberty Dogs Team in December 2024.
Liberty Dogs™ celebrates a year of additions in 2024 and looks forward to a year of new beginnings in 2025
In this issue, we will share the impact of 2024:
1. A Message from CEO Kyle Cory-Yaeggi2. The Expansion of the Liberty Dogs Team!
3. Introductions of the First Liberty Service Dogs-in-Training!
4. Celebrate New Programs & Partnerships
5. A Thank You to our Impact Fund Supporters
Message from CEO Kyle Cory-Yaeggi:
The support from our community over the past year has been inspiring. From local families and individuals who have volunteered their time, their homes, and their hearts to raising a future Service Dog to the groups and companies who have partnered with Dave and Cheryl's vision to improving Veteran's lives, we consider ourselves blessed to have each of you alongside us this past year!
For Veterans who are looking for the life-changing benefits a Liberty Service Dog can provide, we will be opening our application process later this year. Stay tuned for notifications when our Veteran application process opens. If you need these services now, please reach out to our Team at info@LibertyDogs.org and we can redirect you to reputable organizations.
Thank you all for joining us on this adventure! Please continue to follow us on social media and in the community as our outreach continues to expand. The Liberty Dogs Team is very excited about 2025 and look forward to opening our campus in 2026.
Respectfully,
Kyle Cory-Yaeggi
Expansion of the Liberty Dogs Team! |
Liberty Dogs has added talented professionals across the organization this past year. Each Team member brings a new level of excitement and passion for our Mission, and they are committed to helping Veterans achieve a new level of independence. We are excited to introduce the following staff who have joined the organization this past year.
- Glenna Smith - Director of Administration
- Jeff Cooper - Facilities Manager
- Summer Gonzales - Controller
- Todd Young - Dog Training Manager
- Karen Greis - Director of Veteran Programs
- Hilary Larivee - Apprentice Service Dog Instructor
- Crystal Rowland - Apprentice Service Dog Instructor
- Daniel Sergott - Apprentice Service Dog Instructor
- Kristen Gallagher - Apprentice Service Dog Instructor
- Kyla Rickman - Apprentice Service Dog Instructor
- Hailey Adams - Apprentice Service Dog Instructor
- Brittney Ronkovitz - Apprentice Service Dog Instructor
- Katelyn Gilroy - Apprentice Service Dog Instructor
Introductions the first |
Through the dedication and support from the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation, Liberty Dogs was able to welcome our first Service-Dogs-in-Training. These dogs were specifically chosen from all across the country from lines and lineages that have shown successful service work. These dogs have started the foundation of our training program, and we will expand this program in 2026 to accept dogs from shelters and rescues within our community!
Each of these dogs were able to join the Liberty Dogs training program through the generosity of the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation.
Each of these dogs were able to join the Liberty Dogs training program through the generosity of the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation.
Celebrating the start of |
Liberty Dogs' Apprentice Program - Becoming a Service Dog Trainer can be a frustrating challenge to gain the experience and knowledge unique to our industry. This is why Liberty Dogs developed a paid apprenticeship program for individuals to become full-time employees of the organization and learn the skills of how to train and, most importantly, match the right Service Dog to the right Veteran.
Apprentices will be trained to provide life-changing support to Veterans living with physical and psychiatric disabilities (like Post-Traumatic Stress - PTS). This comprehensive apprenticeship course will teach participants how to train Service Dogs that will make a profound difference in the lives of those who have served our country.
The process of training a Liberty Service Dog for a Veteran with PTS is an extensive one, often taking up to three years to complete. Apprentices will dive deep into various aspects of Service Dog training, beginning with the foundational principles of puppy raising and development. They will learn how to identify the right canine candidates, nurture their growth, and instill necessary obedience and socialization skills.
This Liberty Dogs program’s commitment to its graduates extends beyond the training process. Apprentices will provide ongoing support and guidance to the Veterans with disabilities for the lifetime of their placement to ensure a lasting and successful Service Dog placement.
Through this apprenticeship, aspiring Service Dog trainers will be making a difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes. By dedicating their time, expertise, and passion, these apprentices will be transforming the landscape of care for Veterans with physical and psychiatric disabilities, one service dog at a time.
Apprentices will be trained to provide life-changing support to Veterans living with physical and psychiatric disabilities (like Post-Traumatic Stress - PTS). This comprehensive apprenticeship course will teach participants how to train Service Dogs that will make a profound difference in the lives of those who have served our country.
The process of training a Liberty Service Dog for a Veteran with PTS is an extensive one, often taking up to three years to complete. Apprentices will dive deep into various aspects of Service Dog training, beginning with the foundational principles of puppy raising and development. They will learn how to identify the right canine candidates, nurture their growth, and instill necessary obedience and socialization skills.
This Liberty Dogs program’s commitment to its graduates extends beyond the training process. Apprentices will provide ongoing support and guidance to the Veterans with disabilities for the lifetime of their placement to ensure a lasting and successful Service Dog placement.
Through this apprenticeship, aspiring Service Dog trainers will be making a difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes. By dedicating their time, expertise, and passion, these apprentices will be transforming the landscape of care for Veterans with physical and psychiatric disabilities, one service dog at a time.
December 2024 - Liberty Dogs' First 8 Apprentice Service Dog Instructors doing an outing with Dog Training Manager, Todd Young, on a beautiful winter day in downtown Reno! (From Left to Right: Brittney, Kris, Todd, Kyla, Katelyn, Hailey, Hilary, Crystal, and Daniel.)
Volunteer Puppy Raising - This program allows local individuals and families to have a direct influence to "Change A Veteran's Life!" Each raiser is provided with all the necessary equipment, and ongoing training from our professional staff to prepare a future Liberty Service Dog. All of the cost associated with this rewarding opportunity to raise a puppy is covered by Liberty Dogs! To learn more, watch the video below and if you are interested in Volunteering, please click on the red button below the video!
Meet our newest Volunteer Puppy Raisers - These amazing Volunteers have partnered with Liberty Dogs to make a life-changing positive impact on the lives of Veterans with disabilities, one puppy at a time! We are grateful to all our Volunteer Puppy Raisers and the many Volunteers waiting for the future Liberty Service Dogs-in-Training to arrive.
Michael meeting Reagan and Libby. Reagan is growing and learning every day with her Puppy Raiser! So much fun having a pup in each arm!
Julie sharing a first meeting with Libby. Julie raised Libby for a short time until Libby was ready to enter the Liberty Dogs Prison Program.
Virginia and Dave are raising Maggie who is so quick to learn. Maggie is already very attentive to her raisers!
Thank you to Lettie for raising Lucy! Lucy is a sweetheart! She loves new environments and is doing great in training.
David and Smokey are an amazing TEAM and are learning all the training tools that will ensure Smokey is an amazing Liberty Service Dog-in-Training!
If you are interested in CHANGING A VETERAN'S LIFE by raising a future Liberty Service Dog, please contact us at PuppyDepartment@LibertyDogs.org. Liberty Dogs covers all food, medical, equipment, and training so that our Volunteers have no out-of-pocket expenses.
Nevada Department of Corrections - Liberty Dogs has partnered with the Nevada Department of Corrections to provide a unique opportunity for a pre-screened and dedicated population of offenders. These handlers are not only raising a future Liberty Service Dog, but we are developing a one-of-a-kind occupational skill that they can use to seek gainful employment after reentering society!
December 2024 - Meet the Offenders participating in the Liberty Dogs Prison Program. (Bob, Chris, Darnell, Fred, Gordon, John, Keith, and Samisoni photographed with Liberty Service Dogs-in-Training Abigail and Jennifer.)
Pet Network - As we prepare our campus and staff to acquire dogs from shelters and rescues in 2026, we have developed a unique partnership with the amazing team at Pet Network Lake Tahoe. Our training staff will continue to spend time alongside their team to enrich the dogs they have at their facility while increasing our training staff's handling skills. Learn more about the impactful work that Pet Network Lake Tahoe does for the community HERE.
The Liberty Dogs Apprentice Instructors gather to learn how to care for the dogs waiting for their "forever homes." The Pet Network crew will teach the Apprentices important protocols and how to give lots of attention to the animals.
Many thanks to Simi Balter, Executive Director, and her entire AMAZING Team at Pet Network. Pictured here are the Liberty Dogs' and Pet Network's Team after Volunteer Orientation.
IMPACT FUND Supporters
This year, Liberty Dogs introduced ways for individuals to join our Mission monetarily through our "Impact Fund."
Through Dave and Cheryl Duffield's generosity to fund the operations of Liberty Dogs in perpetuity, all community funds from Impact Supporters are allocated 100% to the raising, training, medical care, and future placement of Liberty Service Dogs for Veterans with disabilities.
The 2024 Impact Fund Supporters include:
Through Dave and Cheryl Duffield's generosity to fund the operations of Liberty Dogs in perpetuity, all community funds from Impact Supporters are allocated 100% to the raising, training, medical care, and future placement of Liberty Service Dogs for Veterans with disabilities.
The 2024 Impact Fund Supporters include:
- Reno Sons and Daughters of Italy
- Gwen Wilson
- Lettie Miller
- Toni Taylor
- Fred & Karen Greis
- Reno Elks Lodge
- Grellman Family Trust
December 2024 - Robb Smith representing the Veterans Committee from the Reno Elks Lodge presenting a generous donation to the Liberty Dogs "Impact Fund" to Kyle Cory-Yaeggi, CEO, and the Liberty Dogs Team.
IT’S A GREAT DAY TO RAISE A LIBERTY DOG!
Funded through the generosity of:
