Kansas Specialty Dog Service bringing free program to Imperial, hosted by Lions Club

    When Bryce Dolan is in Imperial next week, adults and youths of the community will have ample opportunities to hear about the Kansas Specialty Dog Service.
    The Imperial Lions Club is bringing the program to Imperial, with a free presentation on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Chase County Schools auditorium.
    While here, Dolan will also give programs for K-8 CCS students, visit Imperial’s two preschools, Parkview Assisted Living and give presentations to Chase County 4-H youths and a CCS ag. education class.
    Lions President Randy Hayes said this program fits right into the Lions organization’s founding mission of serving the blind.
    KSDS does not only provide trained guide dogs to those who are blind, however. It makes available service animals to all persons in need of a canine partner to enhance their independence.
    KSDS has celebrated over 30 years of service and 600-plus assistance dog teams placed in 36 states.
    Its campus is located in Washington, Kansas.
    Other than an initial $25 application fee, training is provided at no cost to the applicant.
    Puppies born and bred on the KSDS campus are initially trained by selected volunteer puppy raisers and then by KSDS certified training staff.
    Its trainers then decide which dog would pair best with one of its clients, and that individual will usually travel to the KSDS campus for a one to two-week training program.
    Training is complete once the team (individual and canine) partnerships are formed.
    In 1990, KSDS began as Kansas Specialty Dog Service and was incorporated as a non-profit. The organization was established with assistance from the State of Kansas Department of Rehabilitation Services and from individual donors.
    At Dolan’s programs next week, he’ll talk about the KSDS mission and how the dogs learn to be service animals and will have his companion demonstrate its training and more.
    Dolan is the Director of Marketing and Fundraising for KSDS, and is originally from Minden, Nebraska.
    Refreshments will be served after the program Tuesday night.

KSDS program
Tuesday, April 4
7 p.m.
CCS auditorium
Free, open to public
Refreshments following