What is the Hope for the Future scholarship?

Tell me more about the Avidog and Puppy Culture programs.

Which genetic mutations does HSD screen for in parents?

The Hope for the Future Scholarship The Hope for the Future scholarship is an award offered by Hope Service Dogs (HSD) to assist owners who are training their own service dogs

. HSD aims to provide at least two online and two in-person scholarships each year

. The scholarships are non-transferable and cover one of two programs:

Online School: This scholarship covers the $997 cost of Heart & Soul Dog Training’s “Service Dog Secrets with Victoria Warfel” online school

. This step-by-step program allows owners to pace their training remotely and review the materials as necessary

In-Person School: This scholarship covers an intense, fully immersive four-day NePoPo® Service Dog School presented at Heart & Soul Dog Training in Central Florida

. It is taught by a certified NePoPo® Gold Premium trainer and covers all aspects of service dog training

.

Avidog and Puppy Culture Programs HSD utilizes the Avidog and Puppy Culture programs to provide early socialization and training that gives puppies the best possible experiences from birth

. These programs encompass a comprehensive curriculum of developmental protocols, including:

Early neurological stimulation and emotional resiliency exercises

Safe early socialization, socialization sessions, and the “enrichment effect”

Puzzles, games, problem-solving, and puppy parties

Foundational life skills like potty-training and crate training

Anti-aggression protocols and problem prevention for resource guarding, separation anxiety, biting, and jumping

Guidance on handling developmental and fear periods, as well as balancing vaccinations with socialization needs

Genetic Mutations Screened by HSD HSD performs extensive genetic screenings on parent dogs, testing for over 175 genetic mutations associated with canine diseases

. According to the specific health records of their breeding dogs (which include Standard Poodles, Dobermans, and Golden Retrievers), they screen for the following specific mutations:

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), including prcd-PRA, PRA1, and PRA2

Von Willebrand Disease (including Type I)

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM1 and DCM2)

Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures

GM2 Gangliosidosis (Poodle Type)

Osteochondrodysplasia

Deafness & Vestibular Syndrome

Ichthyosis

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL)