2.9.2 Aggie Guide Dogs (Stough)
Project Description:
Annual Narrative-AGS 2016-2017
Aggie Guide-Dogs & Service-Dogs (AGS) is a student-run organization at Texas A&M University that began in 1997. It formally affiliated with the Center on Disability and Development in 2010. The mission of AGS is to educate about, fundraise for, promote the training and use of service dogs, and to increase awareness about how these animals help the individuals with disabilities who use them.
During 2016-2017, AGS recruited new members from the Texas A&M student body and consisted of 150 formal members that met at 14 meetings during the academic year. Along with our formal members, AGS had 150 students and community members attend one or more of our events. During its biweekly meetings it educated its members on the needs of people with disabilities and the service animals that serve them. Guest presentations at these meetings included Texas Search and Rescue (TXSAR), AKC Retriever Club, and Bryan Police Department K9 Unit. AGS also recruited new members from the general Texas A&M student body at two Open House meetings during both the Fall and Spring semesters.
AGS members delivered formal presentations and interactive, hands-on demonstrations through several venues. AGS members provided educational programs to six different groups over the course of the year, including a companion animal science class at Texas A&M and a local Girl Scout Troop. In addition, AGS included approximately 80 community members as part of 8 dog-training sessions alongside its service dogs in training. Members of AGS also serve as informal educational resources for those interested in either disability services or service dog training. Puppy Trainers, in particular, are highly visible resources for people interested in training or obtaining a service dog and provide informal information about the program and the need for service dogs on a daily basis. AGS members occasionally do brief educational outreach through Class Hops where they distribute information about their organization and solicit funds for maintenance of the puppies in training.
AGS updated their website during this annual year and published biweekly newsletters, which it disseminated both through its website and to its members. In addition, AGS Officers respond to approximately 450 emails per year from people through their website, providing education about service dogs and their training for individuals across the country.
AGS engaged in several fundraising activities, including Doggies in Disguise, where the puppies dress in a costume, a Puppy Love Valentine fundraiser, and multiple profit shares with local businesses. All of these activities were also used for educational outreach and distributing information about AGS.
Keyword(s):
Guide Dogs, service animal,
Core Function(s):
Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
