What's Happening!

Tax Benefits from Charitable Donations

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Article written by Bill Hammond, Edward Jones, appeared in Putnam Press Newspaper May 23, 2018. Appearing here with the permission of Bill Hammond.

Like most people, you probably know several organizations worthy of your philanthropy, and you may well have contributed to them – perhaps on an annual basis.

In the past when you’ve made charitable donations, it’s been a win-win: You were able to provide support to a worthy organization and you received some valuable tax benefits. But with the passage of the new tax laws, things may have changed considerably for many people. Continue reading “Tax Benefits from Charitable Donations” →

Being a Volunteer Puppy Raiser for Putnam Service Dogs

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What is it like being a volunteer puppy raiser for Putnam Service Dogs, and why do people do it?

Here’s what Elaine Sackman says about the experience:
“I started as a volunteer puppy raiser at PSD because it seemed like a win/win/win. I can get my doggy fix without owning another dog, a rescue dog is saved, and a person will be helped. Nancy and Putnam’s trainer are always there to help and answer questions, and the training provided is great. The dogs are treated with love, respect, and kindness. While it is definitely work to train a puppy, it is truly a gift to be part of PSD.” Continue reading “Being a Volunteer Puppy Raiser for Putnam Service Dogs” →

Does Your Dog Love You?

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golden-retriever-treatsDog lovers have no hesitation is saying dogs love their people. Dogs’ obvious attachment to their owners is shown in their following them around, their approaching them for attention and
affection, and the ecstatic greeting they give their person when they return home. Without an emotional bond, there would be few dogs joining a household.

Until recently, we had to deduce their emotions only from their behavior. Gregory Berns of Emory University, a physician who had conducted MRI studies for 25 years of humans, conducted groundbreaking MRI studies of two dogs’ brains. He, and his staff are huge dog people, and they were curious how dog brains worked. Dr. Berns trained his dog, a shelter dog, and an acquaintance trained her border collie, to lie perfectly still in the MRI machine. This was the first time MRI studies had been done on conscious and unrestrained dogs. He wanted to humanely capture their brain functions, and capture their brains functioning as closely to their natural state as possible. Continue reading “Does Your Dog Love You?” →

Where We Find Our Dogs

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Most of the Service Dogs Schools in the US have closed colonies of dogs – they breed their own dogs to enhance desirable traits and the health and longevity of the dogs. Even with careful, sophisticated breeding and genetics techniques used, there’s a graduation rate of only 30-40% of their dogs.