My Virtual Volunteer Gig

My first assignment was to look for information on the organization's website and write about the things I learned about the organization--primarily things that I found interesting.  I am very excited about the work, both because it gives me satisfaction to be helping out, and because the organization is providing a valuable community service.

I don't think the post I wrote will go on their website, but just so you know what I am working on, I am putting it here for you to read about this really neat organization.

Gabby Jack Ranch, located in Carmichael, CA, is a unique dog breeding and training facility designed to bring high quality service and comfort dogs to qualified Veterans, disabled persons and families.  They say their ranch is where wagging tails meet smiling faces, and from photos on the gallery one can easily see why!
 
Gabby Jack Ranch breeds primarily Labradoodles for their ease of training, intelligence, companionable disposition and non-shedding coats.  The ranch is extremely careful about genetic and health history to assure the dogs are not only healthy but also intelligent and trainable.

Puppies are matched to prospective owners and must be trained using non-aggressive methods outlined by the buyer’s contract. Prior to adoption, the dogs are raised in a home environment with lots of human interaction and basic training to prepare them for their future adventures. 

The ranch recently held its first graduation ceremony at which nine dogs participating in the Homefront Dogs Program and the veterans who have adopted them received recognition for the completion of training.  They were joined by three service dogs and two high-performance therapy dogs that also completed training.

The Homefront Dogs Program matches companion dogs to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injuries.  The dogs assist in a variety of ways, but each is trained to note its owner’s particular stress and either distract them or offer comfort in some tangible way.

There is a minimum fee of $500.00 to Veterans to cover the actual cost of the breeding and raising of the puppy, but fees for an untrained puppy are normally $1800.00, and $2500.00 for a trained and neutered/spayed six month old.

Gabby Jack Ranch dogs have been adopted by people in a variety of situations, including

• comfort dogs used by a District Attorney to assist victims by comforting them so they can describe their experiences to the court
• assistance with children undergoing surgery
• family pets

The non-profit status of the organization enables individuals and corporations to receive tax deductions for their donations, which are used in part as scholarships for certain need-based recipients.  Gabby Jack Ranch is part of a Professional Network of trainers, veterinarians and breeders nationwide, so even if a person is not in the Sacramento area, the excellent quality of service Gabby Jack is known for can still be found elsewhere.