ADAI Announce Their Spring Training Class Graduates
Contact: Rhonda Dekoninck FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Direct: (419) 825-3622, ext. 228 April 26, 2010
SWANTON, OH: Assistance Dogs of America, Inc. (ADAI) will be celebrating their spring graduation event at Parkway Plaza in Maumee, Ohio on April 29, 2010. This special evening will begin with dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by the formal graduation ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Three graduates will receive therapy dogs and four will receive service dogs.
Therapy dog graduates include Jodi Hall, from Port Clinton, Ohio, who will graduate with Norton, a goldendoodle. Jodi was involved in a car accident in 1991 and 2006 and suffered a traumatic brain and neck injury. Karen Robinson, from Bowling Green, Ohio, will graduate with Vinny, a black labradoodle. Karen has Rett syndrome and a dopamine deficiency. South Vienna Elementary School will graduate with Veda, a black labradoodle and sister of Vinny. Veda will be the newest staff member at South Vienna Elementary and will benefit the students and staff.
Service dog graduates include Bill Speer, from Hartville, Ohio, who has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Bill will graduate with Jessie, a black Labrador retriever. Holly Koester, from Cleveland, Ohio will receive Glory and Becky Gay, from Toledo, Ohio will receive Orion. Holly and Becky suffered spinal cord injuries from received from car accidents in the early nineties. Bonnie Reed, from Canal Fulton, Ohio, has multiple sclerosis. Bonnie will graduate with Kahlua, a chocolate labradoodle.
ADAI, located in Swanton, Ohio, has placed therapy dogs and service dogs with individuals for over 25 years. ADAI helps children and adults with disabilities achieve greater independence by training and placing the dogs to assist with the individual's daily needs. ADAI serves individuals in Ohio, Indiana and the lower peninsula of Michigan. In 2009, ADAI placed ten therapy dogs and eleven service dogs.
Anyone is welcome to attend the spring graduation event. The cost is $20 for dinner and reservations are required. Please RSVP to Rhonda Dekoninck at 419-825-3622, ext. 228 or via email at rdekoninck@adai.org. For more information about ADAI, visit the ADAI website at www.adai.org.
Posted: 4/26/10