By: Ryan Duey
Photo Courtesy of KSDS
KSDS Assistance Dogs, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Washington that breeds, raises, trains, and provides service dogs for the visually impaired, physically disabled, and facility workers, is proud to celebrate 35 years of service in North-Central Kansas.
KSDS was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1990, with doors opening in September. Duane Toews, KSDS CEO, said it started as a 4-H project.
“KSDS started as a 4-H project; some individuals who were in the 4-H dog project in North Central Kansas were raising puppies for other Assistance Dog Schools in different parts of the country.”
“That group of individuals came to the conclusion that there are plenty of people in this central part of the U.S. who were in need of assistance dogs as well.”
“They put their heads together and ultimately came up with a plan to start their very own Assistance Dog School here in Washington, KS.”
In these 35 years, KSDS has placed 659 dogs across 37 states. To celebrate 35 years, they will host a 35th Anniversary celebration on Friday, August 22nd, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. on the KSDS Campus. Toews spoke more about this come-and-go event.
“KSDS is proud to be celebrating 35 years of changing lives one dog at a time.”
“We will have a hamburger meal with a free-will offering. We’ll also have an educational component with educational demonstrations about how we train our dogs.”
“We will show what our dogs can do for people and how it changes lives. Attendees will also be able to tour the facilities, which we’re very proud of.”
“We’ve got some fun things for the kids also, to keep the youngsters engaged.”
Toews said KSDS was the first Assistance Dog School in the country to provide guide dogs to the visually impaired and service dogs for those with mobility issues.
As a nonprofit, they run off grants and donations from generous donors. To learn more about KSDS and the 35th Anniversary celebration, or to donate to this important mission, visit their website at www.ksds.org.
