Alcova Kennels at Natural Bridge

09/07/2025

One little boy available for adoption. Super friendly and outgoing, loves walks and has great recall.... Decker Rat Terrier...

06/15/2025

Hooray!!!!! 🎉 Brandy and Skipper had their new litter! AKC registered Decker Rat Terriers from health-tested parents.. ready to go in late July/early August…

05/09/2025

Do you want an athletic snuggly guy who would like nothing better than a hiking buddy of his own this summer? Jett looks like a lab. Surprise! He is a golden retriever/decker terrier mix. Whip-smart but lacking a bit of confidence. Once he feels safe with you, he will look to you for everything and reward you 10-fold with affection and attention. He will not be the type to run off and say hi to just anyone! (even if he looks like a lab). He has been fixed and is ready to head off on a new adventure. There is a rehoming fee..

03/18/2025

Such a nice write up! Pancake is one of our English Cream Golden Retrievers who was traines as a service dog by Ragnar Defense in Casper, WY.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A8iYKrhNV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Last week I began telling the story about Pancake, my son’s service dog. Her purpose is to help my non-RAD child, who experiences many challenges including Tourette’s syndrome, anxiety, depression, and sensory sensitivity in addition to being the sibling of a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder. I discussed the many ways she has helped my son in the short few weeks she has lived with us, but I only scratched the surface.

Given his choice, my son would gladly never leave the house. He is a homebody through and through. However, since that’s not especially realistic, Pancake aids him in tolerating being away from home. A service dog is trained to behave exceptionally well in public, and Pancake is no exception. When we take her to a restaurant, she calmly lays either under the table or beside it, ignoring everything around her. She may stand up and put her head in my son’s lap if he needs it, but other than that, she stays put. She doesn’t react to the food smells or moving people. Most people don’t really even notice her.

At the library or science museum, she sticks with her boy. She lays down (often without being asked) anytime he stops to look at something. If we go shopping, she walks by our side and remains calm and quiet the whole time. In the car, she lays on the seat snuggled up against her boy. One of our family’s favorite summer activities is camping, so we are excited to take her with us for that too. I am confident that she will help my son handle the changes in schedule, location, and sleeping arrangement that come with traveling.

When we are away from home, if my son starts to struggle with too many people or too much sound or just too much sensory input in general, he is learning to use Pancake to help him cope. We can find a quieter corner, have him sit on the floor, and tell Pancake to lay in his lap. That deep pressure, like a living weighted blanket, is incredibly regulating and calming.

While Pancake’s main purpose is to help her boy, the rest of the family is benefitting from her presence also. She has a knack for knowing who needs her. When my RAD kiddo got his tonsils and adenoids removed, Pancake spent a lot of time on his lap during his recovery. She plays tug-of-war regularly with my youngest, and he fills the house with giggles while he plays with her. If I’m looking a little stressed, overwhelmed, and about to lose my mind, Pancake wanders over to me and bumps my hand with her nose, just letting me know she’s there. And she loves to give my mom (who is the world’s biggest fan of dogs) surprise tackle-hugs (flying leaps across the room onto her lap).

I’ve always known that many dogs have a magical way about them, improving the mood of the people around them. But take a dog like that and add in service dog training, and you get something quite exceptional.

- Tamarah
—---------

AAIF knows that the price of a service dog can be cost prohibitive.That’s why we are offering $6,000 scholarships for families with adopted children who currently reside in Wyoming. Families who have completed the application and been approved will work with Ragnar Defense to determine details about how many and how much monthly payments will be. If you’d like to be considered, please apply, even if you are concerned about your financial part. We want to help and are willing to work with the right family to make this a reality. Also, feel free to email us at [email protected] with any questions.

Access the application here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UQES7STWNmyPHOLRmbbhcb64qP3pp0Uh/view?usp=sharing

You can support this scholarship directly by donating to AAIF via PayPal or Venmo. Put "Service Dog Scholarship" in the comments and 100% of your donation will go towards this fund.

PAYPAL.ME/AAIFWY
VENMO:



Image Description: A teal and off-white background with the quote: "I’ve always known that many dogs have a magical way about them, improving the mood of the people around them. But take a dog like that and add in service dog training, and you get something quite exceptional. - Tamarah Johnson"

03/14/2025

Need a best buddy? Muffin has had a few litters for us, is a sweet girl, but now is wanting her own family. She comes when called, is affectionate and ultra smart. House trained and loves walks and staying close to her human. Her cost would be to cover her spaying. Muffin is a smaller to medium sized Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

02/22/2025

These guys and gals are ready to go! Just had first shots, and their personalities are much more apparent. The word back from their littermates’ new homes, is that they are very affectionate, ultra smart, aware, and very adaptable to their new environment. What’s not to love?!?! This mix of golden & terriers might very well be the new best combo ever!

02/11/2025

Growing!!!! If only it were warmer, they’d get outside longer… Male and female available from this awesome English Cream Golden Retriever and Decker Rat Terrier cross….. Theae are Valentines Day babies, ready to go home with ❤️

01/31/2025

Rattie Retrievers, first time outside! Affectionate, alert and staying close. Already focused on their humans. Smart and strong pups!!! Male and female available!!!

01/24/2025

OK, I’ve been told that “Rattie Retriever” is the worst name ever for these super smart, affectionate and aware puppies. So what do people think about “Golden Terriers”? We obviously need naming help!!!!!

01/24/2025

We are having so much fun with our Rattie Retrievers. Who would have thunk that their mom is an English Cream Golden, cream white in color, and with the typical calm personality? Their dad is a Decker Rat Terrier, super special in his own right. Have we hit on the perfect new pup? Guess you’ll have to decide!!!!

01/18/2025

Guess the breed! Or breeds? Enjoying their first real meal this morning, warm under the red light of the heat lamp….

01/18/2025

You might want to meet this guy! He’s a year old, intact at the moment, registered border collie, started on sheep. He does fine and is very smart, but not as “driven” as his owner would like. Rehoming fee for someone who wants a pet or a more laid-back BC….