Before we knew it February was here! This past month has been full of adventures and plenty of winter fun! So grab your favorite blanket and snuggle in for some winter updates!

As our advanced training dogs move closer to graduation we’re excited to welcome Fortune, our newest puppy to join the pack! This tiny yellow lab has traveled all the way from Iowa to join PAWS’abilitiy, our prison program. A huge thank you to volunteers Mike and Gayle for making the long trip to bring us our special bundle! 

Recently, Paragon trainers went up to the prison to check on Fortune's progress. They described him as  incredibly smart and completely adorable we’re excited to see his journey!

Thanks to Paragon trainer Joe, Danny had the opportunity to take to the skies! One essential skill our dogs learn is to be comfortable flying in planes, so when Joe planned a vacation home to Minnesota, he offered to bring Danny along for the experience.

To prepare for the trip, Danny and her trainers created a mock airplane and airport setup. By arranging chairs in rows, they simulated the tight space she would need to fit into during the flight.

Just a few days later, Danny and Joe were off to Minnesota! After conquering the plane, they fully embraced the winter sports--including the Minnesota Classic, Curling Tournament! Danny was warmly welcomed by Joe’s family, where she met relatives and showcased her calm and loving demeanor with the youngest members.

 What an incredible adventure for Danny!

January must have been the perfect month for travel because Ruth, one of our hearing dog clients, and Grayson, her hearing dog, also took to the skies, heading to Florida to visit her sister. During the trip, Grayson proved just how exceptional of a hearing dog he has become! He consistently alerted Ruth to important sounds, such as the timer and her phone, demonstrating that he knows his job and can work seamlessly in any environment.

Ruth shared some adorable photos of Grayson tucked under the seat during the plane ride. Unfazed by the cramped space, Grayson settled in comfortably and enjoyed a long nap throughout the flight.

As our teams grow and become more in sync, they form a connection that goes far beyond sound alerts. During the trip, a desk clerk about 10 feet away was trying to get Ruth’s attention. Unable to hear the call, Ruth didn’t notice but Grayson did. He perked up and looked toward the source of the noise. Noticing his change in behavior, Ruth turned and saw the clerk. What an incredibly connected team they’ve become!

After arriving in Florida, they visited the local harbor. Surrounded by new sounds and smells, Grayson continued to work diligently, staying focused despite the unfamiliar environment. To their surprise,

it started snowing! At 24 degrees, the unusual weather led to closures all around them, creating the perfect atmosphere for cozy board games. Grayson also had a blast playing with Ruth’s sister’s current and retired service dogs. Yet even during playtime, Grayson stayed on alert. He always stopped mid-play to notify Ruth about the timer and her phone, proving his unwavering dedication to his job.

We couldn’t be more proud of how much this team has grown and how brilliantly they navigated this adventure!

At Paragon, we are constantly impressed by our incredible puppy raisers and their unwavering dedication. Miranda and Robert welcomed our puppies into their lives, not only caring for them but truly making them a part of their family. From the first five months of sleepless nights to the joys of raising an older pup, they’ve shown remarkable commitment.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Robert to learn more about his puppy-raising experience. Originally curious about what having a puppy would be like for his family, he found that becoming a puppy raiser was the perfect opportunity to test the waters. With two boys, their busy household provides the ideal environment for a Paragon pup, offering valuable exposure to family life. Over the months of caring for our dogs, Robert’s sons have grown closer and truly enjoyed having a dog around.

We’re continually amazed by the progress they’ve made with each pup. At every puppy class, Ender and Pruitt’s excellent focus on Robert and Miranda clearly

shows the dedication and hard work they put in at home.

We couldn’t be more grateful for the time, effort, and patience they’ve invested in our dogs! Thank you Miranda, Robert, and your whole family!

We recently had a special guest visit Paragon! Beth, one of our clients in the process of receiving a dog, traveled all the way from Florida to meet with our trainers and staff.

During her visit, she took part in dog training presentations, client interviews, and dog

handling sessions, an important step in our process. This visit allows our trainers to observe how the client interacts with each pup, helping us make the perfect match.

This short stay is a crucial step toward being matched with the ideal pup. Beth described this visit as "wonderful" and her experience "worth the wait." We were so happy to have Beth come visit and are beyond excited that she is one step forward in our client matching process.

Hi Friends!

It’s been a little while since I last checked in! I’ve been having so much fun in our new kennel area. It’s such a cool space! I get to play with my friends, practice relaxing, and do lots of other fun things. But I think my favorite thing to do is practicing my “place” cue! We all go lay on our beds and we watch the world go by! 

My trainers say I’m doing really great and that I’m one of the easiest dogs to have in the office. It’s great training each day! We even got cupcakes for Valentines Day, such a treat! 

That’s all for now!

Thanks for catching up on to all of our adventures! Stay tuned for future updates including Fortunes progress, a possible new puppy, and the launch of our Animal Assisted Counseling program Good Talk. 

With gratitude,
The Paragon Team 🐾❤️

14737 County Road 3, Longmont, Colorado 80504