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Thunder - ADOPTED!!
Thunder - ADOPTED!!

Terrier / Mixed (medium coat) :: Male :: Young

Status:Adopted!
Size:Medium
Location:Arlington, VA

Additional Info:
  • Good with Dogs
  • Good with Children
  • House trained
  • Up-to-date with vaccines

  • Organization Contact Info:
    Worthy Dog Rescue
    Arlington, VA 22204
    info@worthydog.org
    http://worthydogrescue.org

    Before you apply, please read the TARGET ADOPTER and APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS listed below. Applicants who do not fit the profile and meet the requirements will not move forward. Priority will be given to families in the DC Metro area.

    Thunder was found as a stray wandering through a neighborhood and ended up in an overcrowded shelter in SC. While there, he was evaluated by the K9 Warriors Group, who train shelter dogs to live with veterans to help with PTSD and service-related trauma. He scored very high in their testing but was not brought into their program. At the same time, Worthy Dog Rescue and Blue Ridge Canine were discussing a joint effort to train and develop a rescue dog to help a family or person in need, because not every person who needs a service dog can afford them. Fully-trained service dogs are expensive because they require many months of intense training, socialization, and obedience work, and some don't make it through the training. Not every service dog fits in every home or meets every service need, and it takes time to get to know each dog and understand how they can best be applied to help. Thunder seemed like an ideal candidate for service training, so we put him through Blue Ridge's service dog training program last fall, and he's now ready to meet his new family.

    Here's an update from his training team:

    "Thunder came to Blue Ridge Canine last year for training to be a Service Dog and did great with his obedience training. This guy is super social, loves all the dogs he has been with, and especially loves people! He loves others so much we have decided the best job for Thunder is to be an Emotional Support Animal instead of a Service Dog, which would require him to start ignoring other people and dogs while out with a handler. Thunder has so much love to give, we did not want to put stress on him by training him to completely ignore others and not being allowed to say hi to new friends.

    Thunder is ready to spend a few weeks with his forever person before testing for his American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test. This test shows his temperament is friendly with people and other dogs, follows obedience commands well, is not stressed when his handler needs to let someone else watch him, and easily accepts handling. He does very well with kids and has been around kids from 2 years and up. He especially enjoys running around with them and will "help" the younger ones finish snacks they share with him. Thunder has been around other animals and while he does well, he will chase cats from time to time.

    Thunder loves to be with his person and really enjoys cuddling on the couch, bed, or anywhere he is allowed! He is sensitive to the emotions in the home around him and tries to make sure everyone is happy. Blue Ridge Canine is immensely proud of the progress he has made and excited to see him go to a forever home. His special training makes him an excellent candidate for someone in need of an Emotional Support Animal. If he continues training, we have no doubt that he could also work as a Therapy Dog to provide support for others too.

    Thunder is ready to take his AKC CGC test once he has spent some time bonding and training with his new handler. BRC will provide any and all training equipment including a vest with emotional support animal patches.  

    He has great skills with:

    • Sit
    • Down
    • Come
    • Stay
    • Heel
    • Walking around distractions
    • Greeting new people
    • Greeting new friendly dogs
    • Easy to handle for grooming and vetting
    • No separation anxiety
    • Crate trained
    • House trained
    • Leave it
    • Drop it
    • Kennel
    • Rides well in the car
    • Enjoys going new places (parks, dog friendly stores, dog friendly outdoor cafes and restaurants)
    • Is not startled by new sights or sounds
    • Great with kids
    • Plays very well with other friendly dogs (would highly prefer him to go to a home with another friendly medium energy dog)
    • Does well on a flat collar
    • Trained on a training collar for high distraction environments
    • Easy to motivate with treats
    • Does well on the e-collar in off leash distracting environments



    TARGET ADOPTER: Thunder really bonds well with men, so he is a perfect fit for a male handler age 8 to adult in need of an ESA for depression, anxiety, or PTSD. He would possibly do well supporting an owner with mild autism and or a sensory processing disorder. Thunder would be best with an adult, calm dog in the home, OR can be spoiled as an only dog getting regular socialization, meeting new dog friends on walks or play dates, but NO CATS! He has a medium energy level, so he would do best in an active home committed to his daily exercise and will make an excellent playmate for another dog or kids. Applicants must live within an hour of Washington, DC so he can finish up an advanced obedience course with his new handler and test for his AKC Canine Good Citizen title.

     

     

    REQUIREMENTS:

    We require that all applicants first complete an adoption application. If selected to move forward, you will be contacted to schedule a phone interview to start the approval process. With your consent, we will request that applicants submit a letter from their medical professional recommending an Emotional Support Animal to ensure Thunder goes to an individual who will most benefit from him. Additionally, we recommend writing a brief personal note about why you feel Thunder would help your recovery or well-being.  

    There will be no adoption fee, or charge for the training services Thunder has received. Blue Ridge Canine will provide at no charge, enrollment into our Good Dog Advanced Obedience Program with testing for the AKC Canine Good Citizen at the end of the course.

    All applications will be reviewed by Worthy Dog Rescue and Blue Ridge Canine to determine the best fit for Thunder based upon need and compatibility. We request an interview about Thunder's placement and a follow up after he completes his training program to become a Canine Good Citizen. This may include video, photos, or written articles.

    Thank you so much for your interest in Thunder, we can't wait for him to meet his forever family!

    Breed: Terrier/Bully mix
    Gender: Male
    Age: ~1.5 years
    Weight: 50 lbs
    Vetting: dewormed, microchipped, neutered, up to date on vaccines
    Location: Culpeper, VA 

     

    FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application.

    You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application.

    Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.




























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