Christ Yoder
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BISMARCK, ND (KFYR) – Jud, a small town southwest of Jamestown, is home to what may be North Dakota’s best-kept secret. This is where you’ll find Service Dogs for America, the state’s only accredited non-profit service dog provider.
Jenny BrodKorb is a dog trainer through and through. In addition to working at Jud, she also sits on a board of directors that helped draft the PAWS Act. She says matching people with service dogs is truly rewarding.
“A service dog is a medical device that reintegrates a human in complete independence, knowing that someone comes here with injuries and maybe less independent, and three weeks later they leave here with the pairing.” of a service dog and the skills to reintegrate. It’s a pretty important thing to be a part of it, â€said BrodKorb, executive director of Service Dogs for America.
Service Dogs for America dogs are trained to listen to anyone. Melissa Powers is the Training and Kennel Coordinator, and she says the bond she has made with the dogs is invaluable.
“They’re a lot like your kids, you come to work to take care of them and do what’s best for them,†Powers said.
BrodKorb loves to see dogs choose their humans, even if it’s touching to see them go.
“There are always tears at graduation. Big alligator tears, usually, â€said BrodKorb.
Service Dogs for America serves people from all over the United States. They told me about a Rhode Island veteran who was finally able to reconnect with his family thanks to the service dog he got from Jud, North Dakota.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will have 180 days to implement the pilot program under the PAWS Act. If you are interested in organizing, visit servicedogsforamerica.org.
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