GENERAL SPEAKING OUTLINE

Introduction

    • Keep to 30 seconds
    • Your name
    • Who you are? I am an Ambassador with Dogs for Better Lives.
    • Your connection to the organization

Tell Your Story

    • Keep to 3 minutes
    • Why did you decide to get involved as a Dogs for Better Lives Ambassador
    • Dispel a myth or two.

Share Our Story

    • For example: We would like to share our story with you. It is presented on the enclosed 12 minute video sharing stories from the point of view of a few of our clients and trainers and covers what our organization is about and how deeply it touches the lives of others.

Talking Points

    • Keep to 10 minutes
    • For example:
      • talking point 1
      • talking point 2
      • talking point 3
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Hearing Assistant Dog Stories

Describe how they make a difference: In a nutshell, hearing dogs allow their person to be more productive, and increase their safety as they literally become the ears for a deaf person.  Children, spouses, co-workers, and others, are reassured that they can rely upon a deaf person should they need assistance, and they improve the quality of a deaf person’s life by increasing their safety, not to mention all the love and companionship they bring.

    • Hearing Dog example: A deaf mother shared how her hearing dog helps her to raise her children. One day, her 18 month old son decided that it would be a good idea to climb a dresser to get something he thought was interesting.  He began by pulling out the bottom dresser drawer in order to climb on top of it. After that, he repeated these steps until he was almost to the top of the dresser.  All of a sudden, the dresser started to wobble as it became top heavy with the toddler.  He got scared and called “mom” for help.  The deaf mother’s hearing dog alerted and lead her to her son.  Right away she saw what the problem was and was able to rescue her son from a potentially dangerous situation.  These kinds of situations happen many times with toddlers because they don’t have a good sense of what is dangerous yet, but they need to know that they can rely upon their deaf parent for help nonetheless.
    • Hearing Dog example: Warren, a Hearing dog who is a herding dog breed mix, was placed with client, Bert L. of Washington, who lives with his wife Claydene. Bert describes how Warren goes the extra mile beyond what he was trained for.  “Warren has made my life richer by restoring my independence.  He alerts me to sounds in and outside the home such as doorbells, door knocks, cell phone, oven timer, smoke alarm, approaching vehicles and bicycles, and pulling me to the right elevator in hotels.  There have even been a few times when Warren has used his instinctive herding skills to push me out of harm’s way.”
    • Hearing Dog example: Nickel, a Hearing dog, who was placed with Ron G. of Texas, and who lives with his wife Jo. Ron wrote to describe how his hearing dog, Nickel went the extra mile by helping to rescue his neighbor.  Ron says that his neighbor had fallen down outside and broke his ankle and how his neighbor didn’t think anyone was ever going to know that desperately needed help.  However, Ron and his hearing dog, Nickel were outside and Nickel heard his neighbor screaming for help.  Nickel then alerted Ron, and lead him to his neighbor’s porch steps to see if something was wrong.  Ron was then able to help his neighbor by calling for an ambulance because his neighbor was unable to walk, or stand up.  Ron’s neighbor is very appreciative of the work we do, and wants to thank us for training Nickel.  His neighbor says, “I don’t know how long I would have laid on the ground if it wasn’t for Nickel’s help!  Nickel is one awesome dog, he is my hero!”
    • Facility Dog example: Hilton, a Facility Dog was placed with Rebecca B. of Oregon who is a Special Education Teacher. Rebecca described how she had a very uncommunicative, withdrawn autistic boy name Kyle in her class.  Many times Kyle did not come to class and when he did, he did not participate in many of the activities.  Consequently, he was missing a lot of vital education. However, the day Kyle met Facility Dog, Hilton, Rebecca saw a side of Kyle that she had never seen before!  Rebecca says that Kyle now willingly comes to class because he knows that Hilton will be there waiting for him.  The change in Kyle is remarkable and it is safe to say that Hilton has changed Kyle’s life!  Kyle has definitely bonded with Hilton which has helped to bring Kyle out of his shell.  Rebecca has seen Kyle make so much progress, that she can’t thank us enough for placing Hilton with her.

Close

    • Keep to 2 minutes
    • Why Dogs for Better Lives should be important to them
    • Encourage them to visit online at DogsForBetterLives.org
    • Thank the audience.

Q & A

    • Keep to 10 minutes
    • Staff members, if there, can help with questions.
    • The Ambassador Handbook will help you be able to answer most questions. See the Question and Answer section for assistance.
    • Some of the more commonly asked questions are:
      • Q) How long will it take to get through the application process, get approved, and then be placed with a dog? The process from the beginning to the actual placement can take up to a full year from the time the application is approved until a dog is placed.
      • Q) How much does it cost? There is no cost to the client.
      • Q) When will Dogs for Better Lives start a national program for Autism Assistance Dogs? Presently DBL places Autism Assistance dogs throughout Southern Oregon and Washington and plans to expand in the next 1-2 years.  As the program grows it is hoped that it will be expanded out to include the other continental states in three to four years.
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