{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "user_comment": "This feed allows you to read the posts from this site in any feed reader that supports the JSON Feed format. To add this feed to your reader, copy the following URL -- https://americanlifestylemag.com/tag/dogs/feed/json/ -- and add it your reader.", "home_page_url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/tag/dogs/", "feed_url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/tag/dogs/feed/json/", "title": "American Lifestyle Magazine", "description": "Entertainment that Inspires and Motivates", "items": [ { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/helpful-hounds-for-heroes/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/helpful-hounds-for-heroes/", "title": "Helpful Hounds for Heroes", "content_html": "
Photos courtesy of: freedom service dogs of america
\n

Kendle Frank, content coordinator at Freedom Service Dogs of America, shares the paw-some story of the Colorado nonprofit\u2019s work matching assistance dogs with service members and others in need.

\n

Would you share the origins of your organization and its purpose?
\nFreedom Service Dogs of America was founded in 1987 by PJ and Michael Roche, and since then, we\u2019ve grown from a two-person effort to one of the country\u2019s largest assistance dog organizations. We are accredited by Assistance Dogs International, a worldwide accreditation coalition that sets high standards for care, health, and training of assistance dogs all over the world.

\n

Our mission is to custom-train and purpose-breed service, professional therapy, facility, and skilled companion dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries. We also serve adults with autism or mobility challenges, as well as professionals providing mental health and crisis-support services. Recipients get their own assistance dogs and lifetime support services at no cost to them, thanks to our community of supporters.

\n

 

\n
\"\"
\n

 

\n

How and where do the service animals undergo training?
\nMost of our service dogs-in-training\u2014Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and mixes of the two\u2014are a result of our in-house purpose breeding program here in Colorado. They are born on-site and spend their first few weeks of life in our nursery, where they undergo socialization and enrichment from our staff and volunteers.

\n

They then receive their first formal training with our prison puppy-training program partners before being matched with a volunteer puppy raiser, who provides ongoing socialization and basic training until they reach adulthood. During that time, FSD covers the cost of their veterinary care, food, and supplies.

\n

At about fourteen months old, our dogs return to the FSD facility for formal training, where they start working on advanced service dog cues and begin their custom training process. Our dogs learn to perform up to forty unique tasks that are directly related to an individual\u2019s particular needs. For example, if someone living with mobility challenges has a hard time bending over, we can train a dog to do tasks such as pressing automatic door buttons and pulling laundry out of the dryer.

\n

When we have a dog who we believe may be a candidate for someone on our wait list based on their skills and temperament, the individual comes to our facility to make sure the dog is a good fit. Once a match is made, the person returns for a two-week placement class, where they practice the custom cues their dog learned and go on outings with our trainers and the other teams to learn how to navigate public spaces.

\n

At the end of the placement class, we hold a graduation celebration for the team and they officially begin their life together. They\u2019ll continue receiving ongoing support services, including additional training and guidance. When an assistance dog retires at around age eight or nine, the recipient will have the opportunity to receive a successor dog to fill their place.

\n

 

\n
\"\"
\n

 

\n

Would you break down the types of services your dogs provide?
\nOur service dogs can learn to perform life-changing tasks such as creating space in crowds, retrieving dropped items or medication, performing deep-pressure therapy, and more. Our PTSD assist dogs can also be trained to do things like recognize and interrupt anxious behaviors and flashbacks and awaken veterans and first responders from nightmares.

\n

In addition, our professional therapy dogs and facility dogs are placed with professionals who provide mental health or crisis support services, including clinical therapists and members of law enforcement. Their main role is to provide joy, comfort, and stress relief to the public and specific populations, such as those within hospitals, schools, fire stations, and police departments.

\n

Finally, our skilled companion dogs are partnered with first responders, veterans, active-duty military members and their families, and Gold Star families. While these pups aren\u2019t trained to perform specialized tasks and don\u2019t have public access rights like service dogs, they are skilled at providing loving comfort, and their main purpose is to bring joy to service members and their families.

\n

 

\n
\"\"
\n

 

\n

What kind of impact does Freedom Service Dogs of America make?
\nWe take great care to ensure that each dog in our program is placed with the person or situation where they\u2019ll have the greatest impact. If a dog is not meeting our high standards of health or temperament required to graduate as an assistance dog, they may find an alternative career as an FSD skilled companion dog or be placed as a pet with a loving member of our community.

\n

Our work is truly life-changing for both humans and dogs alike. Our dogs love their roles as assistance animals. We like to say our dogs wag while they work. And with an FSD dog by their side, individuals can go from being isolated to living a life filled with joy, hope, and independence.

\n

For more info, freedomservicedogs.org

\n

The post Helpful Hounds for Heroes appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": "Photos courtesy of: freedom service dogs of america\nKendle Frank, content coordinator at Freedom Service Dogs of America, shares the paw-some story of the Colorado nonprofit\u2019s work matching assistance dogs with service members and others in need.\nWould you share the origins of your organization and its purpose?\nFreedom Service Dogs of America was founded in 1987 by PJ and Michael Roche, and since then, we\u2019ve grown from a two-person effort to one of the country\u2019s largest assistance dog organizations. We are accredited by Assistance Dogs International, a worldwide accreditation coalition that sets high standards for care, health, and training of assistance dogs all over the world.\nOur mission is to custom-train and purpose-breed service, professional therapy, facility, and skilled companion dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries. We also serve adults with autism or mobility challenges, as well as professionals providing mental health and crisis-support services. Recipients get their own assistance dogs and lifetime support services at no cost to them, thanks to our community of supporters.\n \n\n \nHow and where do the service animals undergo training?\nMost of our service dogs-in-training\u2014Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and mixes of the two\u2014are a result of our in-house purpose breeding program here in Colorado. They are born on-site and spend their first few weeks of life in our nursery, where they undergo socialization and enrichment from our staff and volunteers.\nThey then receive their first formal training with our prison puppy-training program partners before being matched with a volunteer puppy raiser, who provides ongoing socialization and basic training until they reach adulthood. During that time, FSD covers the cost of their veterinary care, food, and supplies.\nAt about fourteen months old, our dogs return to the FSD facility for formal training, where they start working on advanced service dog cues and begin their custom training process. Our dogs learn to perform up to forty unique tasks that are directly related to an individual\u2019s particular needs. For example, if someone living with mobility challenges has a hard time bending over, we can train a dog to do tasks such as pressing automatic door buttons and pulling laundry out of the dryer.\nWhen we have a dog who we believe may be a candidate for someone on our wait list based on their skills and temperament, the individual comes to our facility to make sure the dog is a good fit. Once a match is made, the person returns for a two-week placement class, where they practice the custom cues their dog learned and go on outings with our trainers and the other teams to learn how to navigate public spaces.\nAt the end of the placement class, we hold a graduation celebration for the team and they officially begin their life together. They\u2019ll continue receiving ongoing support services, including additional training and guidance. When an assistance dog retires at around age eight or nine, the recipient will have the opportunity to receive a successor dog to fill their place.\n \n\n \nWould you break down the types of services your dogs provide?\nOur service dogs can learn to perform life-changing tasks such as creating space in crowds, retrieving dropped items or medication, performing deep-pressure therapy, and more. Our PTSD assist dogs can also be trained to do things like recognize and interrupt anxious behaviors and flashbacks and awaken veterans and first responders from nightmares.\nIn addition, our professional therapy dogs and facility dogs are placed with professionals who provide mental health or crisis support services, including clinical therapists and members of law enforcement. Their main role is to provide joy, comfort, and stress relief to the public and specific populations, such as those within hospitals, schools, fire stations, and police departments.\nFinally, our skilled companion dogs are partnered with first responders, veterans, active-duty military members and their families, and Gold Star families. While these pups aren\u2019t trained to perform specialized tasks and don\u2019t have public access rights like service dogs, they are skilled at providing loving comfort, and their main purpose is to bring joy to service members and their families.\n \n\n \nWhat kind of impact does Freedom Service Dogs of America make?\nWe take great care to ensure that each dog in our program is placed with the person or situation where they\u2019ll have the greatest impact. If a dog is not meeting our high standards of health or temperament required to graduate as an assistance dog, they may find an alternative career as an FSD skilled companion dog or be placed as a pet with a loving member of our community.\nOur work is truly life-changing for both humans and dogs alike. Our dogs love their roles as assistance animals. We like to say our dogs wag while they work. And with an FSD dog by their side, individuals can go from being isolated to living a life filled with joy, hope, and independence.\nFor more info, freedomservicedogs.org\nThe post Helpful Hounds for Heroes appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2026-08-19T08:00:54-04:00", "date_modified": "2026-08-05T17:46:32-04:00", "author": { "name": "jshaw", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/jshaw/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/82c9132115b5cb74c8d4fb20cf990f4e3fb8822fa552fdc3e362ead755a6b041?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hounds-featured.jpg", "tags": [ "Charity", "Dogs", "First Responder", "Nonprofit", "Pets", "Service Animals", "Veterans", "Family & Pets", "Life & Culture" ], "summary": "Get a glimpse into Freedom Service Dogs of America\u2019s work matching assistance animals with people in need." }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/a-sit-down-with-a-dog-photographer/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/a-sit-down-with-a-dog-photographer/", "title": "A Sit-Down with a Dog Photographer", "content_html": "

The post A Sit-Down with a Dog Photographer appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": "The post A Sit-Down with a Dog Photographer appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2025-06-17T08:00:07-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-16T11:02:56-04:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Pets", "Photographer", "Photography", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "A professional lets us inside her world, including her secrets for getting pooches to behave and her job\u2019s greater good. " }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/a-fetching-museum/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/a-fetching-museum/", "title": "A Fetching Museum", "content_html": "

The post A Fetching Museum appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": "The post A Fetching Museum appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2025-06-11T08:00:13-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-16T12:05:53-04:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Art", "Cultural", "Culture", "Dog", "Dogs", "History", "Museum", "Pets", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Step inside an amazing New York institution dedicated to man\u2019s best friend." }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/editorial/pup-performances-with-a-purpose/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/editorial/pup-performances-with-a-purpose/", "title": "Pup Performances With A Purpose", "content_html": "

The post Pup Performances With A Purpose appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": "The post Pup Performances With A Purpose appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2022-05-02T08:00:08-04:00", "date_modified": "2022-12-09T12:33:51-05:00", "author": { "name": "Matt Brady", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/mbrady/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/319ee7707e7fce7ed4afc1eb2e440c88477cc4da2acbece968d579ddd3b6698f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Editorial", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "The Canine Stars is a traveling performance show that not only entertains, but also demonstrates what\u2019s possible with rescue dogs." }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/defeat-dogs-anxiety/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/defeat-dogs-anxiety/", "title": "Defeat Your Dog\u2019s Anxiety", "content_html": "

The post Defeat Your Dog\u2019s Anxiety appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": "The post Defeat Your Dog\u2019s Anxiety appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2019-03-23T14:18:52-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-05T14:57:52-04:00", "author": { "name": "Alexa Bricker", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/abricker/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/52db277747be4f42866852e0bcc32f3359ce211be9099d2ced7dc4b6311cbfd3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Pet Care", "Pet Health", "Pet Tips", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Is your pet suffering from separation anxiety? These tips can help." }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/a-diamond-in-the-ruff/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/a-diamond-in-the-ruff/", "title": "A Diamond in the Ruff", "content_html": "

The post A Diamond in the Ruff appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": "The post A Diamond in the Ruff appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2019-03-15T13:49:55-04:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-05T14:49:35-04:00", "author": { "name": "Alexa Bricker", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/abricker/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/52db277747be4f42866852e0bcc32f3359ce211be9099d2ced7dc4b6311cbfd3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Baseball", "Dogs", "Editorial", "Sports", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "This pup has been entertaining hordes of baseball fans for decades. " }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/doggone-good-cake/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/doggone-good-cake/", "title": "A Doggone Good Cake", "content_html": "

The post A Doggone Good Cake appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": "The post A Doggone Good Cake appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2019-03-06T15:27:10-05:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-05T14:38:14-04:00", "author": { "name": "Alexa Bricker", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/abricker/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/52db277747be4f42866852e0bcc32f3359ce211be9099d2ced7dc4b6311cbfd3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Pets", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Let your pup blow out the candles with a fun, pet-friendly cake!" }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/frozen-puppy-treats/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/frozen-puppy-treats/", "title": "Cool Canine Treats", "content_html": "

 

\n

\u00a0

\n

\u00a0

\n

 

\n

The post Cool Canine Treats appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": " \n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n \nThe post Cool Canine Treats appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2018-01-27T14:59:03-05:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-11T14:44:38-04:00", "author": { "name": "Alexa Bricker", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/abricker/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/52db277747be4f42866852e0bcc32f3359ce211be9099d2ced7dc4b6311cbfd3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Pet Care", "Pets", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Our pets deserve a refreshing treat that's filled with pure, healthy ingredients." }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/perfect-pup-cakes/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/perfect-pup-cakes/", "title": "Perfect Pup-cakes", "content_html": "

 

\n

 

\n

The post Perfect Pup-cakes appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": " \n \nThe post Perfect Pup-cakes appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2018-01-24T13:00:10-05:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-21T15:14:51-04:00", "author": { "name": "Alexa Bricker", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/abricker/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/52db277747be4f42866852e0bcc32f3359ce211be9099d2ced7dc4b6311cbfd3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Pets", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Greet your canine friends with some PB and pumpkin pup-cakes." }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/blueberry-banana-treats/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/blueberry-banana-treats/", "title": "Blueberry-Banana Dog Treats", "content_html": "

The post Blueberry-Banana Dog Treats appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": "The post Blueberry-Banana Dog Treats appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2018-01-13T19:29:44-05:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-11T15:31:23-04:00", "author": { "name": "Jen Benvenuto", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/jlbenvenuto/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/50c6a3a7e72e46bca16aa8d88b1689aef6ac5958486ac74569432c90b91724d6?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Pets", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Pets are family, so whip up some homemade treats for your pup that are nutritious and delicious!" }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/peanut-butter-pumpkin-biscuits/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/peanut-butter-pumpkin-biscuits/", "title": "Peanut Butter-Pumpkin Biscuits", "content_html": "

 

\n

 

\n

 

\n

 

\n

 

\n

The post Peanut Butter-Pumpkin Biscuits appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": " \n \n \n \n \nThe post Peanut Butter-Pumpkin Biscuits appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2018-01-12T18:23:00-05:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-11T15:34:40-04:00", "author": { "name": "Jen Benvenuto", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/jlbenvenuto/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/50c6a3a7e72e46bca16aa8d88b1689aef6ac5958486ac74569432c90b91724d6?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Pets", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Reach for a doggie biscuit that's not only nutritious, but also packed with the best flavors of fall!" }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/gluten-free-doggie-treats/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/gluten-free-doggie-treats/", "title": "Healthy Pup Treats", "content_html": "

 

\n

 

\n

 

\n

 

\n

 

\n

 

\n

The post Healthy Pup Treats appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": " \n \n \n \n \n \nThe post Healthy Pup Treats appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2018-01-11T19:32:35-05:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-11T15:35:17-04:00", "author": { "name": "Jen Benvenuto", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/jlbenvenuto/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/50c6a3a7e72e46bca16aa8d88b1689aef6ac5958486ac74569432c90b91724d6?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Gluten Free", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Opt for gluten-free treats that will keep your pooch happy and healthy." }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/sweet-potato-chews/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/sweet-potato-chews/", "title": "Sweet Potato Dog Chews", "content_html": "

The post Sweet Potato Dog Chews appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": "The post Sweet Potato Dog Chews appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2018-01-07T14:24:40-05:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-11T15:39:11-04:00", "author": { "name": "Alexa Bricker", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/abricker/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/52db277747be4f42866852e0bcc32f3359ce211be9099d2ced7dc4b6311cbfd3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Pet Care", "Pets", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Skip a trip to the store and create your own sweet dog treat!" }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/crispy-crunchy-pet-treats/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/crispy-crunchy-pet-treats/", "title": "Crispy, Crunchy Pet Treats", "content_html": "

 

\n

\u00a0

\n

 

\n

 

\n

\u00a0

\n

 

\n

The post Crispy, Crunchy Pet Treats appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": " \n\u00a0\n \n \n\u00a0\n \nThe post Crispy, Crunchy Pet Treats appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2018-01-04T14:31:21-05:00", "date_modified": "2023-09-24T15:14:55-04:00", "author": { "name": "Alexa Bricker", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/abricker/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/52db277747be4f42866852e0bcc32f3359ce211be9099d2ced7dc4b6311cbfd3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Cat", "Dogs", "Pet Care", "Pets", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Know exactly what you're feeding your pets by making these healthy, homemade treats." }, { "id": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/diy-chewable-sweet-potato-dog-toy/", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/life-culture/family-pets/diy-chewable-sweet-potato-dog-toy/", "title": "DIY Chewable Sweet Potato Dog Toy", "content_html": "

 

\n

 

\n

 

\n

The post DIY Chewable Sweet Potato Dog Toy appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

\n", "content_text": " \n \n \nThe post DIY Chewable Sweet Potato Dog Toy appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.", "date_published": "2016-05-06T23:59:26-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-01-31T11:56:50-05:00", "author": { "name": "Jessica Carlin", "url": "https://americanlifestylemag.com/author/jcarlin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/74c03c3be14b43c665f748a584a3d1dea5193958532ad4bcd82b3c248d55e094?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Dogs", "Pet Care", "Pet Owner", "Pet Tips", "Pets", "Crafts & DIY Projects", "Family & Pets" ], "summary": "Skip a trip to the store and create your own sweet dog treat!" } ] }