National Service Dogs
1286 Cedar Creek Rd n1r 5s5 Cambridge, ON, Canada

Happy #MentalHealthMonday! Here are a few tips from CAMH.ca to help you get through another 2 weeks of lockdown in Ontario. 1. Try to stick to a normal schedule. 2. Do things you love like reading or writing. 3. Try something new...learn a skill, watch a new show, etc. 4. Enjoy the nice weather (while following restrictions).... We'll all get through this together! Let us know below what you have been doing during lockdown to pass the time.

Are you or someone you know flying from Vancouver BC to any Southwestern Ontario airport? We are looking for your support in getting our future Service Dog puppies to Ontario! Requirements: Flying on WestJet between May 21-30 Comfortable flying with a 3-month old puppy... Above having the cutest travel partner, NSD could offer a tax receipt for your generous support. If you think you might be able to help, please email or call Lindsey and we can talk about all the details! Email: [email protected] Phone: 519-623-4188 x20 . . . National Service Dogs (NSD) is a registered charity based in Cambridge, ON Canada specializing in training Service Dogs for individuals with Autism, PTSD, Canine Assisted Intervention Dogs, and Companion Dogs for a diverse group of clients.

#journeytopuppies During week 8 Luna's puppies will continue their growth and development! As we get closer to Luna's due date, we will start to monitor Luna's temperature and behaviour. We will also schedule an x-ray to help determine how many puppies Luna is carrying and give us a better idea of a due date by the amount of bone calcification. Check in next week when we get Luna in for an x-ray to determine puppy count!

Originally my mom brought the idea of puppy sitting to me so that I can fulfill my volunteer hours for high school doing something that I love. The more I thought about doing it the more excited I got to apply to help train these dogs even just a little bit so that they can help so many more people. I know people with mental illnesses so the idea that something like this can help them I want to do anything I can to make people’s lives better. I am excited about the opportunity. Thank you Abby for helping support our dogs in training! #FridayFeature #puppysitter

#TBT In 2013, NSD was accredited by Imagine Canada. This accreditation is awarded to charities that can demonstrate excellence in five key areas: board governance; financial accountability and transparency; fundraising; staff management and volunteer involvement. NSD is proud to have held this status over the last 8 years and continues to strive for excellence in all areas.

Don't get stuck without dirt! BigYellowBag will deliver dirt and mulch right to your door. We’ve joined the Give and Grow Program so you can get $5 off your purchase and for every bag of soil or mulch that you buy, we get $10 donated back to us. Make sure you use our unique code (NSD21) to claim this offer. Thanks for your support!

Ever wonder how we take a group picture of 7-week old puppies?.... It takes a LOT of hands! Enjoy this behind the scenes look at puppy picture day!

It is always the right time to come together and support the greater good. We appreciate our amazing community doing just that: to help build and grow our mission with your unwavering support. This #GivingTuesday, December 1st, please consider continuing that support in any way you can.

All donations are greatly appreciated! #WishlistWednesday

It's National Take a Hike Day! Make sure to get out and enjoy the trails like NSD Douglas. . Do you have a special hike planned?

Through partnership with the Cambridge Bingo and Gaming, we have raised $5,436.54. These funds have been used to cover the cost of food and veterinary care for our dogs in training. Thanks @cambridgebingo!

Happy #mentalhealthmonday! Try writing down your concerns in a journal. Writing down your thoughts can be calming and reduce the signs of depression.

Happy #MentalHealthMonday! Did you know that studies have shown yawning helps to cool down the brain? It can also improve alertness and mental efficiency. So go ahead and let those yawns out all day long!

Canine Assisted Intervention Dogs like @k9_west are matched with treatment professionals from a variety of disciplines. They work as partners in therapy to address Health and Wellness in communities across Ontario.

We are currently in need of 1-2 puppy starter homes. These puppy starters would care for a pair of puppies from November 11 to December 4. Puppy starters must live within one hour of NSD. For more details or to apply visit our website http://nsd.on.ca/volunteer-opportunities/

Sleep can have a large impact on your mental health. Try setting the thermostat lower for a better sleep. Optimal sleeping temperatures are around 18.3 degrees Celsius. #mentalhealthmonday

"When I retired from teaching in June 2019, I knew I would find a volunteer position that would suit me and my family too. Raising NSD Opal has been a wonderful experience so far, for all of us! He loves coming with us on our daily trips to have coffee with friends, long walks into town or over to my former school to visit with old friends and make new ones." Thank you Karen and Emma for all the love and dedication you have put into raising Opal!

Keep watching for the release of our Online Canine Costume Contest in the next week! Submit your best Halloween look (or "PUPKin" carving) and you could win some great prizes. We can't wait to see all your pups in costume! . . Categories include: Scariest costume... Most creative costume Best family/couple costume Best costume overall Best "pupkin" Jack-o-lantern #Halloween #contest #Halloweencostume

It's National Cook for Your Pet Day! . Why not try a new treat recipe? Suggestions are up on our blog http://nsd.on.ca/?p=5882

Are you looking for a custom Christmas gift? How about a beautiful hand crafted piece! AND a portion of the proceeds get donated to NSD! This is a wonderful small business run by one of our volunteers. Pieces can also come unfurnished ($15 discount off marked price). To place an order, contact [email protected].

During these trying times, we are grateful to have your support! It is because of our passionate, dedicated and generous community, we are able to provide certified service dogs to our clients when they need it most. Thank you! #GivingTuesday

Our Halloween Drive-Thru Fundraiser is in full swing! Registration is still open and there are lots of goodies to give away! Visit us at one of the following: Lowe's Home Improvement (Cambridge), Charles Daley Park (Niagara), Bayfront Park (Hamilton), Westmount Shopping Centre (London)

NSD Dusty is waiting for a ride to training... can you help him get there? Our goal is to find 5 drivers in Brantford, 2 drivers in Guelph and 2 drivers in Kitchener by October 26th. . .... Driving times are 7-8am and 4-5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays. For further details or to apply visit our website! http://nsd.on.ca/volunteer-opportunities/ See more

We had so many amazing entries for our costume contest it was hard to pick our winners! Here are the top costumes.

We hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving long weekend!

We are currently in great need of volunteer Doggy Carpool Drivers to bring the University dogs to our Cambridge facility for training! Our goal is to find 5 drivers in Brantford, 2 drivers in Guelph and 2 drivers in Kitchener by October 26th. Can you help us? . . Driving times are 7-8am and 4-5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays. For further details or to apply visit our website! http://nsd.on.ca/volunteer-opportunities/

"Deciding to work as a puppy raiser with NSD has been incredibly rewarding. I choose to volunteer as a raiser to not only give my daily life more purpose but also to be a part of something that is bigger than me. I wouldn't change a thing because Spud and I have learned so many amazing lessons together!" Thank you Renate for all the hard work and dedication you put into raising NSD Spud.

#ThankYouThursday goes out to all who have sponsored our upcoming Halloween event! Purina Canada Milk-Bone Horizon Pet Nutrition Benny Bully's Pet Treats The Keg Steakhouse + Bar Nestle Company Canada. PetSmart @kickflip_creations @smokinbonesdogtreats

Name: Sponsor gets to choose! Gender: Male Colour: Black Birth Order: 3rd born... Mr. Blue is a sweet boy with a calm demeanor! If your interested in sponsoring Mr. Blue head over to http://nsd.on.ca/donation-sponsorship.

**Sponsored** Name: Sponsor gets to choose! Gender: Female Colour: Yellow Birth Order: 6th born... Miss Orange is a very sweet and laid back pup! She also loves to cuddle! Thank you to her sponsor!

We are currently in need of crates and Kongs for our young puppies and Dogs in advanced training. Crates can be new or gently used and wire crates are preferred. Large Extreme (Black) Kongs and Small Puppy (Pink or Blue) Kongs are also greatly needed! #wishlistwednesday

LAST DAY TO ENTER! Our online costume contest closes at 11:59 PM EST tonight. So make sure to get those last minute entries and votes into https://woobox.com/9x2mbz

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT! Don't forget to register for our Halloween Drive-Thru fundraiser at http://nsd.on.ca/easter-egg-hunt-for-dogs/. There are lots of treats to be handed out including chocolate bars and bags of dog treats! #Halloween #TrickorTreats

**Sponsored** Name: Sponsor gets to choose! Gender: Male Colour: Chocolate Birth Order: 1st born... Mr. White is a rambunctious puppy who loves to eat! He is also currently one of the largest in the litter! Thank you to his sponsor!

We've had lots of great entries for our online costume contest. Don't forget to vote for your favourite one at https://woobox.com/49v5fo/gallery?web=1! Contest closes on the 28th at 11:59pm.

#MentalHealthMonday Try harnessing the power of dance. Dancing while doing household chores can make an everyday task fun! Dancing also reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and increases the release of endorphins (The feel good chemical). What's your favourite song to dance around to?

NSD has been so fortunate to have lots of new puppies born in September! Now we are looking for sponsors that can help us to give them the best start on their journey to becoming a service dog! Throughout the day we will be posting the pups in need of sponsors on our page....don't miss out! #sponsorship

"Hello, my name is Chelsea and I am an RPN in St. Mary’s, On. NSD Joey is the first NSD puppy that I raised and I also had NSD Yzer for a couple of weeks as her finishing home. My experience with NSD, raising and training a service dog, has been a whirlwind of emotions. Joey has learned so much and so have I. I am so proud of this sweet, gentle girl. I cannot wait to continue to volunteer for National Service Dogs. I have learned so much through this process and I'm so excited to use what I’ve learned to continue to assist people through our furry friends." Thank you Chelsea for all your hard work raising NSD Joey!

We are currently in need of whelping homes! You would care for a mama and adorable litter of puppies just like this one. Check out the full details and sign up on our website (link in bio).

NSD Rider is our #woofcrushwednesday!

**Drive-Thru Halloween for Dogs and Families** As we continue to pivot to deliver on our programs and events in the age of COVID19 we are once again making adjustments to our Halloween Event to ensure everyone’s health and to provide families with a safe opportunity to enjoy Halloween. Join us for a Drive-Thru Halloween for Dogs and Kids of all ages. Show us your best Halloween Costumes, enter our online costume contest and participate in a drive-thru trick or treat, complet...e with doggie treat and toy giveaways and lots of candy for the two-leggeds. When you arrive at the park you will be directed into the NSD Drive-Thru and we will load you up with great treats for you and your dog. All the details can be found on our website or Facebook event pages.