Strategy Over Tragedy

02/20/2026

02/18/2026

Full circle... Many years ago, an incredible group of people I am humbled to know, taught the first CEU courses on "Patients with Disabilities," where people with disabilities and response backgrounds, shared from professional and lived experience.
I remember walking into the fire academy, seeing "the old timers" shake the statue's hand, greeting their old friend.
I remember the voices of those friends moved up to "Overwatch..." and cherish the time those of us still working on this shared journey, this mission, have.
The sun was shining on him when we walked in, so we stopped for a quiet moment...to reflect, to be grateful to be in this space that was part of the early days of this journey...
We each have this great opportunity, this one chance to make our corner of this earth a little better...for as long or as short as we have, we have a chance to reach out, to connect, to share...
Somehow, I don't think this great man, would have minded this moment of reflection with a pup at his feet...
So many years ago we came together there, and the welcome, the extended hand you see as you enter the door, is a legacy and culture that carries in to each classroom, each corridor...
And many years later, this remains unchanged.
I don't think there can be any more perfect legacy, than to live a purposeful life of service, with hand outstretched in welcome, and to leave your corner of this earth so changed...that it feels as though someone who has left this earth, is only just out of sight beyond the next corner.

02/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17pKK9zs5M/

02/05/2026

Medical Alert Service Dogs are remarkable; they wake up when they sense an issue and do what needs doing....It's been said Dogs love their people more than life itself-and when you see a Service Dog who will sit up forcing himself stay awake till he knows his human is ok, who goes into action to help from a sound sleep no matter how many times he must....you see what love and loyalty worth emulating, looks like.

3:27am. He wakes me up to let me know our boy has a high blood sugar; despite being asleep he woke right when our boy hit the 140 high target.

He’s incredible. Even though he was sleeping, he woke up when he smelled a problem with our boy. He hopped onto my bed and woke me up. He waited beside the bed and when I wasn’t awake, he gently put his paws up on the bed and paws at me more. That’s persistence and dedication to his job. And he was able to turn it on and do it from a deep sleep. WOW!

He beats the Dexcom CGM by 15-30+ minutes consistently!

Being a diabetic alert dog to a little boy is a lot of work and he does an incredible job. But his ability to continue that work at night when he’s sleeping is NEXT LEVEL INCREDIBLE. Not a lot of service dogs are capable of this which makes me even more grateful for our Double. 🥹💙🐾

02/05/2026

🚨PUBLIC PET MICROCHIP SCANNER INSTALLED AT D.A.W.G🚨

The Denison Police Department Animal Services Division has partnered with the
Denison Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) and a local Eagle Scout to install a public
microchip scanning station in front of DAWG’s facility.

The station allows members of the public to scan a found pet or animal at any time, day or night. It includes step-by-step instructions on how to scan for a microchip, look up the microchip number, and contact the pet’s owner.

This initiative is intended to reduce Animal Services calls for loose animals, decrease shelter intakes, and empower the community to assist in reuniting pets with their owners in a safe and responsible way.

The Eagle Scout designed, built, and installed the station as part of his Eagle Scout project. The idea was presented to the Denison Police Department in September and is now almost. ready for public use.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EiyjtxXXo/

02/05/2026

Time out for joy!

02/05/2026

Please take a moment to read the latest installment to bolster DAFN awareness and Planning !

CERT Volunteers in Your Own Neighborhoods, a Worldwide Network CERT - Community Emergency Response Team - Santa Monica Ms. Wheelchair America Medical Reserve Corps Center for Domestic Preparedness

A stick.

01/28/2026

❄️ Snow Plow Reminder: Avoid the “Second Shovel” ❄️

As snowplows clear the streets, they push snow to the side—not remove it. This creates a windrow, or a continuous mound of snow, along the right side of the plow. Windrows are unavoidable and will appear after each pass, including the final pass once the snow stops falling. If you clear your driveway before that final pass, another windrow may form, leading to the dreaded “second shovel.”

Here’s how you can help reduce it:
✅ Shovel a clear corner of the right-of-way several feet before your driveway (as you face the street).
✅ Make this area large enough to catch snow coming off the plow.
✅ Shovel in the direction of traffic.
Thank you for your patience and teamwork in keeping our roads safe!

REMINDER: Please do not push snow into already plowed areas.

Comments: snow@gaithersburgmd.gov
All updates: www.gaithersburgMD.gov
Winter weather tips: http://gburg.md/snow

01/21/2026

Watch a Very Good Boy, show how Medical Alert dogs work!

Volume up! When I say Medical Alert Service Dogs must be...Persistent, Insistent, and more stubborn than their handler, here is a pristine example: As you watch and listen, watch the paw. Watch his body and focus. Hear the whine get louder, then the sharp barks and paw slap/bob that are his "yes!" r...

01/17/2026

This is a very specific task/skill by a Service Dog: This dog helps the handler to determine if there is another person in the room, or if they are having a breakthrough hallucination. The dog only responds to the word "Greet" if another person is present, allowing their handler to subtly determine if they are having an exacerbation/breakthrough hallucination. This is an incredible teaching moment--thank you OP for sharing to reduce stigma and give insight into some of the adaptive strategies and role of service dogs in helping people with psychiatric disabilities, maintain independence and health. When we discuss how Service Dogs help people with Psychiatric Disabilities re-orient, this is one of the tasks a dog may do. Great video!