KATIE AND J

Sarah has done an incredible job training my service dog Katie! Right from the beginning Sarah took the time to understand my needs and the tasks I needed Katie to perform. Sarah was able to train Katie to meet all of these needs, even ones I didn't know were possible (very specific medical alert). Sarah has been extremely supportive, staying in touch with me constantly, both when Katie is with her in training and at home with me. She responds to all my questions right away and helps with any training I'm doing at home.

I can't imagine what my life would be like without Katie. She has given me back my freedom and independence to go out without needed my parents. Without Katie I would still be housebound.

I would highly recommend Sarah and Red Maple Service Dogs! Sarah has exceeded my expectations. I'm so happy to have found her.

TRACY & RISEN

In 2018, I lost my unofficial service dog rather unexpectedly.  Lexi had been my heart dog for many, many years.  She was very tuned into me and would do unprompted alerts before my panic attacks would set in and although she was not a cuddly dog, on my worse days she would lie on me or tight right up against me until I was feeling better.  Loosing Lexi made me realize how much work she did for me and her absence was severely felt in regards to my mental health.

When Lexi passed, my other dog, Risen, just seemed to know there was a void that needed filling in my life.  Like Lexi, on my worse days, she would be glued to me and lie down on my lap or my chest if I was lying down.  She would never shy away when I started to have a meltdown.  She would paw at my leg when I was starting to get agitated.  It was a decision between my psychiatrist and I that Risen needed to be properly trained in medical alert but there was a problem with that.  Although Risen grew up as a very attentive dog, no interest in playing with other dogs or meeting new people, all that changed one night.  In an obedience class, a dog broke away from its owner and attacked Risen, not once, but three times over the course of the night.  It changed Risen completely.  Whenever she saw another dog, she growled, bark, lunged, even if the dog was ignoring her completely.  I did my best to help Risen get over her reaction to other dogs but I knew I was part of the problem.  My own tension was transferred down the leash and would set her off.  We needed help.

After meeting Sarah, I knew right away that she was the one to help Risen.  Her perfectly calm demeanour was exactly what Risen needed.  Risen stayed for a two-week bootcamp to not only help her get over her reaction to other dogs but to help me put my mind at rest over what happened to her and to stop blaming myself and simply move forward.  Risen came home a changed dog.  For the first time, I felt like I got my dog back, the one that was super focused on me and ignored other dogs.  It was almost hard to believe how the two weeks changed her and I.  We were a working team again, all thanks to Sarah!

Risen will be returning to Sarah for three weeks to work on her specific needs as a service dog and to be technically trained in medical alert. 

I am very thankful for Sarah, she quite literally gave me my dog back.

Thank you, Sarah!
~Tracy and Risen

RIE & BETTY WHITE

I cannot speak highly enough of Sarah and Red Maple Service Dogs! Sarah has continually impressed me with her passion, patience, and innovative ways of thinking when it comes to training.

When I made the phone call to Sarah in late 2016, I had no idea how much my life was about to change for the better. I had recently had to retire my former Service Dog (SD) unexpectedly and I was in desperate need of help. Already being at the maximum number of allowed dogs in my municipality, this was my last chance to have the SD I needed to help me live a more normal life.

Sarah took the time to listen to my story and my needs. She answered all my questions (I’m sure I had at least 743!) and eased my mind and anxieties about the upcoming training process. Sarah was willing to work with me on a plan that made sense for both my, and Betty White’s needs. She has also always adapted to our needs as they have changed over the years.

Sarah has, by far, exceeded any expectations I could have ever dreamt of. Through her continued support with Betty White’s training, I have been able to gain back my independence and lead a fairly normal lifestyle. Because of having such a well-trained SD by my side, I was even able to complete my college diploma and graduate with honours! None of this would have been possible without Sarah’s continued help, support, and encouragement.

Thank you, Sarah and Red Maple Service Dogs!
Words cannot describe how much better my life is since working with you. I will be forever grateful.

~ Rie and Betty White - Certified Service Dog Team for Mobility and PTSD

NATHALIE & LOU

My dog Lou and I are very connected. He help me so much dealing with my disability. So, after talking with my doctor about the benefits of a service dog, my OT and I ended up calling Sarah at Red maple service dogs to train my own dog.

Lou spent the month of June with her for his PA training. I missed him so much while he was there but it worth it. When I picked him up, there was a big change already, of course positive. Lou is way calmer, listen very well, responds well to every commands taught and he behaves in the car. He is more confident. Lou is going back in August to continue working on his PA and to start his specific task.

I am so happy with what Sarah did with Lou, she is very amazing with dogs. Until August, I enjoyed my time with my furry love!! Thanks Sarah!

~Nathalie and Lou