You are reading North Star’s quarterly newsletter, our first for 2003. You will notice some new and colorful changes to our website, thanks to one of our board members who generously donated his skills at a mere fraction of their true cost.

This month I visited the Neag School in Glastonbury and the Stafford Elementary School in Bristol with Buddy, a North Star dog that we are training to work with two young children on the autism spectrum. We are working with Buddy on beginning search and rescue skills, along with teaching him to shadow children and respond to their signed commands.

Rachel and Piper.

Rachel Friedman continues to train Buddy’s sister Piper for Devin, a young boy with Down’s Syndrome. We recently visited Devin’s class at Hopewell Elementary School; educating Devin’s peers about his difference was easy and fun. This attention to peer sensitivity can yield many benefits to the entire class. I believe there is no better way to teach tolerance than through the eyes of a puppy being trained to help. Piper will be returning to Connecticut soon to be placed with Devin.

I have finished my new video, “Northern Lights.” (You can find details on how to order this video on our “Tape & Book Library” link, and view a clip.) This show highlights our work with Assistance Dogs and children with developmental disabilities that range from autism to Down’s Syndrome. We have worked with some very talented therapists this past year; a behavioral therapist, speech therapist and physical therapist all allowed me to film them incorporating North Star dogs into their Animal-Assisted Therapy sessions. I think you will find their work both fascinating and inspiring.

We now have a separate web page for promoting Flint River Ranch dog food; you can order this food by calling (909) 682-5048. A 20 pound bag of their puppy and adult formula will be delivered to your door within several days for just $24.95, including shipping and handling. (Most canine nutritionists believe it is wrong to have a separate formula just for puppies that encourages rapid growth, which is not good for their skeletal development.) Flint River Ranch food is oven baked and delivered fresh to your door within a week; it has been voted one of the top ten dog foods by Whole Dog Journal for two years running. As a dog’s intestinal tract is short, it functions in the most efficient manner when the food is high quality and can be quickly digested. Since Flint River Ranch dog food is concentrated, less is required per day for feeding. Most other pet food companies create their food through a process called extrusion, relying on additives and preservatives to achieve a very long shelf life. The combination of chemical products combined with the lack of fresh oil in a dog’s diet may be associated with dry skin, allergic reactions, dental disease, poor health and degenerative organ dysfunction. By feeding Flint River Ranch dog food you will be able to see the difference in your canine companion’s coat, skin and energy level. You will also be supporting North Star Foundation through your wise purchase; when you give them my distributor number (8345) a portion of your sale will be donated back to North Star Foundation to help support our important work promoting the use of Assistance Dogs and Animal-Assisted Therapy for children.

I would like to thank you for your time and attention, and for helping us to make a difference in the lives of children.

Warm regards,

Patty Dobbs Gross, Executive Director

North Star Foundation

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