On Wednesday, October 23, Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW) will celebrate its 2024 graduating class at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe. This annual event honors service dogs trained to assist individuals with disabilities and support law enforcement in crisis and courtroom settings. The ceremony, starting at 6 p.m., and the public can support the event by purchasing tickets to attend the celebration.
Founded in 1995 by Jill Felice, ADW is a leader in training service dogs for people with physical, psychological, and developmental disabilities. Their programs have expanded over the years to include PTSD relief, medical alert dogs, and courthouse facility dogs. This graduation marks the culmination of countless hours of training, trust-building, and dedication between handlers and their canine partners.
The 2024 class includes four dogs assisting individuals with disabilities, five partnering with veterans, nine serving in courthouse and crisis response roles, and 18 completing owner-training programs. Notable graduates include Barney, Franklin, and Blue, who have already made significant community impacts. Barney supports schoolchildren in Georgia alongside Officer Paul Hill, while Franklin and Blue help lead a therapeutic court program in Arizona.
ADW’s dedication to fostering strong human-canine partnerships has earned national recognition, including the prestigious FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, presented by Director Christopher Wray earlier this year. The award acknowledges ADW’s innovative programs and their positive influence on crime and violence prevention.
As ADW’s dogs continue to break new ground in public service, the graduation ceremony will highlight their incredible work. It’s a chance to witness the profound impact these dogs have on the lives of individuals and communities. The event will be hosted by actor Ali MacGraw and will feature special guest Joel Aalberts, executive director of the Lensic Performing Arts Center.
Assistance Dogs of the West invites the community to join this celebration of service, compassion, and the unbreakable bond between humans and dogs. Each dog’s journey represents a new possibility — one that fosters hope and compassion in every corner they touch. General admission is $20, and children under 12 are admitted free. You can purchase tickets at this link. For more information on ADW and its programs, visit assistancedogsofthewest.org.
This article was posted by Jess