South Dakota Service Dogs

Happy Labor Day. We are closed until Tuesday.
All calls and emails will be answered on Tuesday. Have a safe and fun weekend!! ☀️ 🐕

We LOVE hearing this!!! 🙌🏼🤍🐕‍🦺 🐾

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So thankful for Resting Pawz Pet Cremation, LLC and the loving staff. 🌈

🌈 Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, observed annually on August 28th, is a special day dedicated to honoring the lives of our beloved pets who have passed away, offering a chance to reflect on the profound impact. ❤️🐾
Please add your pet that has crossed the Rainbow Bridge in the comments. 🌈

Show us a picture of your dog or dogs for 🐾

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When you can’t trust their actions, trust yours.
When they’re rude, practice kindness.
When you can’t find peace, step back & create it.
Choose to excel, not compete.
Choose to listen to your inner voice, not the opinions of others.
Choose to be motivated, not manipulated.
Choose to live by choice, not chance.
Choose you. 🧡

Once you choose hope, anything is possible♡

Some days are really tough, and then we see posts like this and know that it is all worth it. We are so proud of Matti & Hiei and the dedication they are showing. we agree, Hiei is definitely going to be more than just a Floof ball around around the house bc of YOU!!! You show up. You are dedicated. You see how much this dog has already changed your life… we are so happy we can be part of your journey!!! 🙌🏼 🫶🏼
(Click picture to read original post!)

This weekend! Please read below ✨ 👇🏼

✨️✨️PCA✨️✨️
TSPA Rapid City Students will doing a huge garage sale on August 25th starting at 8AM @ 937 E North Street
One of our dearest Educators and her Family lost their home to a house fire.
All proceeds with go to Jacqueline and her family. Anyone who would like can donate to the cause and garage sale as well.
Here's Jacqueline's Story...
On November 8th my family suffered a house fire. We lost almost all of our possessions along with pictures and memories from our home. Luckily no one was injured, even our good boy Rex made it out safely. That being said we are still in need and we are still struggling to replace things and move forward financially. Through this experience I've learned about the kindness of others, without the help of our friends and neighbors we would be lost. Thank you everyone for your support and well wishes.
The Roberts Family

****All services are provided by students under the supervision of a licensed educator**
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“Can’t sleep”

Best friend: Don’t worry, -I got you. 🫶🏼💗

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Woah! Have you seen the latest edition of hills family magazine? The new military edition is absolutely amazing! 🇺🇸 they featured some truly inspiring individuals who are making a real difference in our community and WE were one of the organizations they selected! 🥹 That "difference maker" label is such an honor. 💓💓
We are honored and humbled. We are just answering a call. We set out thinking we’d maybe change one or two lives in a year, last night we got to be part of 4.
If you're looking to get involved and support our mission, now’s the time to get on board! spread the word, share our page, donate if you feel called to! This is such an exciting time to be a part of the positive change we are driving!!! 🙌
Black Hills Family 🫶🏼

“It’s amazing what she’s going to do for me.” -Bethany-
Her story. That sentence.
This puppy who is now called “Hope” ❤️

Meet the four…Baby, Rena, Saviour and Hope. Let that sink in….

TONIGHT. Tonight we will be changing 4 lives. Tonight. 4 Veterans will be receiving their service dog. Thanks to the generosity of a local breeder, (who is a veteran himself) who has donated 4 Labrador retriever puppies to our program! One by one, we are determined to assist Veterans and First Responders with a better quality of life. One person, one connection, one partnership, and one dog at a time. Making sure they know that they are not fighting the battle alone. There’s so much that happens behind the scenes to make evenings like this possible! We are so grateful for your continued support and donations to SD SD to be able to help others.

If you get on the wrong train…be sure to get off at the first stop. The longer you stay on the more expensive the return trip is going to be. 🫶🏼

Who are we? We are a Veteran owned & operated non-profit who pairs service dogs with Veterans & first responders at no cost to them.

We provide resources to veterans
bridge that gap and uplift those in need. 💝

We love on people who need it the most 💛

We keep all donations to South Dakota Veterans and first responders! 👮🏽‍♀️ 🫡

I know many in this audience are deeply connected to this cause - whether as veterans themselves, having loved ones impacted by mental health, or simply caring members of the community. 🫶🏼

The statistics are staggering, with veteran su***de rates far exceeding the national average. It’s now close to 40(+) a day. 📈

Please help us fight this epidemic. We rely 100% on donations to keep operating. Please consider making a donation, no matter how small. Every bit counts in the fight against this epidemic. Together, we can ensure no veteran or first responder faces their battles alone. stand with us in this crucial mission!

Donate here ->

South Dakota Service Dogs Based in Rapid City, SD, we provide service dogs to Veterans and First Responders free of charge to give them back the quality of life they deserve.

You’re not supposed to have all the answers.
You’re not supposed to have it all figured out.
I don’t, but just like me, I hope you try. Actually TRY. put in the time and effort and follow your heart, gifts that you have been given in your life.

I hope that you try because when you’re 90 looking back on your life, you’ll be proud you went for it. You followed your heart and you put in the time and dedication to create something amazing.

Through the pain, the tear soaked pillows and the scary times you want to quit… just keep trying. all the answers will come at the right time. 🫶🏼

THIS SATURDAY our friends at Engel & Volkers are doing a PAWsome fundraiser to help SDSD continue our efforts in helping veterans and first responders in SD.
Grab your FREE ticket, your dog, your kids your better half and put on a Dog gone great smile! All the details are below!

Paw-Traits for a Purpose Join us at Paw-traits for a Purpose. Bring your pup to Engel & Völkers for a free professional photo and support great local animal causes!

My name is Adam Wasson, and I had the honor of serving in the Marine Corps for eight years, during which I completed two combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. After my military service, I pursued a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from National American University, which has been instrumental in my professional growth.

For the past 14 years, I have worked as a train inspector on the railroad, a role that I find rewarding and fulfilling. Two years ago, I married my beautiful wife, Sammy Wasson, who brings me immense joy and support. Together, we are proud co-owners of the Salon Professional Academy, where we share our passion for beauty and education.

Our family is a source of great happiness. We have three wonderful daughters: Myiah (10), Melonie (10), and Emma (7). They fill our lives with laughter and love. We also share our home with a labor-doodle named Dolly (3), our service dog Shiloh (8 months), and two playful cats, Shadow and Tiny.

Transitioning from military life has been challenging, as I have faced struggles with PTSD and anxiety related to my combat experiences. This led me to the South Dakota Service Dogs organization, a nonprofit dedicated to pairing Veterans and first responders with service dogs. The bond formed between humans and these incredible animals is truly remarkable.

Earlier this year, I received my service dog, Shiloh, an intelligent and talented black lab. He has brought immense joy into my life, helping to fill the voids I thought could never be filled. Going through training with him at SDSD and watching him grow and learn has been a transformative experience, providing me with comfort and companionship in ways I never imagined.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope it resonates with you and highlights the importance of support, love, and healing in our lives.

Adam Wasson

Imagine driving ~1250 miles to Sturgis only to get told that you have to leave and eventually being removed by the police because the Air BNB says that you can’t have a service dog. That’s exactly what happened to an 18 year Army Veteran, this morning!! 😡😡
LISTEN UP, THIS is NOT how we treat our brothers and sisters in arms! This disabled Veteran deserves better, and we're not gonna let this injustice slide. When one of us falls, the entire VETERAN FAMILY has their back. We're talking about an 18-year Army vet who's been through hell and back, and some heartless people want to kick him out just because he needs a service dog? HELL NO! 💪🏽 🇺🇸
But you know what? More than that – we aren’t going to let this Veteran take on an unexpected burden when we can help! We jumped into action by having the BEST people show up – Adam, our Vice President, who promptly sacrificed his day to help with logistics and man power. Holly, the organizer extraordinaire, who found a CAMPSITE in the middle of rally! Our legal eagles, who will continue to fight for this Veteran and HIS RIGHTS and our Founders Tony and Eleanor, who stepped up and gave this Veteran and his party their personal camper to use for the week and set it up at their campsite! 🏕️
That's what we do – we're local, we're VETERANS, and we're FAMILY. When one of us is in need, we ALL come together to have their six. This Veteran fought for us, and now it's our turn to fight for them. 💥
We jumped into action because that is what community is made of, that is what family does. We don’t have to know you to help you. So let's show the world what the VETERAN FAMILY is made of. We don’t care what branch you are - Let's rally together, let's raise some hell, and let's make sure this vet knows that they're never alone. We've got their back, we’ve got your back, no matter what! 🇺🇸 ❤️🤍💙

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After years of dedicated service in the Air Force, Matt Cooke made the transition to civilian life and pursued a new calling - becoming a firefighter. The skills and discipline they honed in the military proved invaluable in their new role, as he bravely faced the challenges of fighting fires and responding to emergencies.

But this Veteran's journey didn't end there. Along the way, he encountered new obstacles and struggled with the invisible wounds of their military service. That's when he reached out and he was matched with a remarkable service dog - Ember 🔥

Despite the ups and downs, this retired Air Force veteran continues to serve his community with unwavering dedication and courage. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the healing power of the human-animal bond, and the remarkable ways in which our military heroes can find new ways to make a difference in the world.

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Well deserved 👏🏼 Neighbors Grub and Pub

Summerset bar crowned 2024's Best Burger in South Dakota SUMMERSET, S.D. – The South Dakota Beef Industry Council announced today the long-awaited results of the So Dak Best Burger competition.