Service Dog Project Inc.

02/06/2025

Had a very enjoyable day with Diane as we took dogs out to train. First we took Walnut and Acorn to Tractor Supply. We walked them both inside and outside. These boys have really grown since I last saw them. Acorn, is a little bigger than Walnut. Next we picked up Piper for a stroll around Market Basket and CVS. Piper has also grown into a lovely lady. She is so beautiful. Here are some pictures from our trips.🐾🐾

- Trainer Karen

02/05/2025

Derby did a great job, as always, helping me with shopping today. We started at Marshall’s, where we saw another “service dog” (quotes intentional), which Derby completely ignored while its handler was begging her dog not to bark in the store. Then on to Newburyport Market Basket, which was busy with people stocking up for the weekend. It’s a store at which we rarely train (Rowley MB has long been our go to), which means many more shoppers unfamiliar with our Danes. Derby got tons of compliments for his perfect behavior and handsome good looks, and the cashier thanked me for Derby being a real service dog 😀

-Trainer John

02/01/2025

Galaxy was a very curious pup taking in all the new sights, sounds, and smells of downtown Newburyport this morning. The “balmy” 37 degree temperatures afforded us the opportunity to check out this new training spot for her. We spent much of the time with me sitting on various benches around town, while Galaxy processed the strange environment and worked on achieving boredom (which she accomplished!). She has come such a long way from being scared of cars just a few weeks ago. Galaxy also visited Good Dog Gallery, a beautiful store offering all kinds of gifts and gear for dogs and dog lovers. Be sure to check them out if you visit Newburyport!

- Trainer John

01/31/2025

PUPDATE🐾🐾 Thelma and Louise are learning the concept of sharing! While they haven’t mastered that quite yet, they are mastering all kind of other great things like their names and getting used to noises such as traffic, thunder and the lawnmower via YouTube! Desensitizing service dogs to new and sometimes scary noises is important early on so that they can be laser focused on their recipients needs when they’re in different situations. Go Thelma and Louise! Good girls!!🐾

(P.S. the only loser in this game of tug of war was the blanket😂)

01/30/2025

Well it’s definitely not beach season here in New England but that didn’t seem to bother sweet Jet who did some training at the beach earlier this week! 🐾🐾🐾Learning never stops when you’re on your way to being a Service Dog!

01/24/2025

01/14/2025

Meet Thelma and Louise!!! Two sisters with ALOT of energy. These two sweet girls were generously donated by a kind breeder and we are SO happy to welcome them to our family. Thelma and Louise are starting their training with our Director of Operations and have become quite fond of their Great Dane step brother Mickey. Stay tuned to find these two pretty girls on pledge a pup! 🐾🐾

01/09/2025

APPRECIATION POST!!! Thank you to the Little Threads Sewing Studio for handcrafting and donating EIGHTEEN kuranda covers to keep our dogs cozy warm at night!!! These hardworking kids generously donated their time and newly learned sewing skills to make a difference and that makes us 🥹🥹. Thank you to the studio for this wonderful community outreach and to all the sewers, big and small, who helped change lives, one service dog at a time🐾🐾🐾

01/05/2025

Cashew has discovered that Elwood makes for the perfect pillow! These two handsome boys have been placed in a wonderful foster home with our new team member - Trainer Doug. Elwood is very intelligent and loves learning new skills, so he is a great role model for young Cashew. Stay tuned for more on Doug, including his many years of experience working with service dogs and recipients! 

01/01/2025

SDP is on the move🚚🚚. Here is what you need to know!!!

12/16/2024

Service Dog Wallace here to tell everyone I love my job and am excited to start my week. Wishing everyone a happy Monday and hoping you’re as ready to jump in as I am!! ❄️❄️🐾

- SD Wallace

12/12/2024

SOUND ON📣📣

The Nuts learning their names🌰🥜🌰. What good listeners this crew is!!! Learning their names is essential to their service dog journey (yes, Minnie in the back who is visiting us for a few days got treats too🤣🤣)

12/10/2024

It’s getting NUTS🥜🌰🥜over here!!! Look at these little nuts learning their names via spoon feeding training! They’re already bigger than two weeks ago!!

12/07/2024

Alfred was feeling festive today at Wolf Hill Garden Center, admiring their two floors of wall-to-wall Christmas decor. It was a tight squeeze navigating among all the customers and fragile ornaments, but Alfie did a great job “making himself small.” He got in some great practice on stairs as well. As we were doing the “step-brace-step-brace” routine, which he was doing perfectly, one customer asked if he is just now learning how to walk up a staircase (not an uncommon inquiry). I politely explained that he could do the entire flight in two or three giant steps, but instead he is practicing doing them one step at a time, which to him must seem incredibly inefficient!🐾🐾

-Trainer John

12/04/2024

Ms. Poppins and Mr. Banks visited salemstate this week to provide students with some much appreciated stress relief during their final exams. They made lots of new friends as dozens of students stopped by the library between classes to meet our Danes, take some photos with them, and learn about our mission. Mr. Banks even graced some with his drool to take home on their clothing as a souvenir!🐾🐾

-Trainer John