Hello all! I am Atlas AHEPA. I am currently training at K9s For Warrior’s San Antonio campus. Gosh, what to say about myself. I love people! I’m told I can’t say hi whenever I want, and it’s so hard! If I am calm and don’t pull, I can make a friend. It’s definitely my favorite thing to do. I’m great around all sorts of people and kids. My trainer says I just need to work on my impulse control and that there’s a time and place to make a friend. I’m having a great time training to be the best Service Dog I can be. Lately I’ve gotten the chance to explore all kinds of cool places I’ve never been before. I really enjoy going to the bookstore, my trainer says I am a total natural with public access. My favorite place so far, though, has been this place called Target. Have you ever been? There are so many good smells and people and decorations. It’s all just so exciting! But I know that I’m working when I have the vest on, so I do my best to stay focused on my trainer and the cues that we’re working on. Well, that’s it for me, I hope you have a great week. Can’t wait to catch up with you soon!
Woof Woof! Atlas AHEPA here checking in with another update!
The last few weeks have been fun! I’ve gone to clothing stores, sports equipment stores, and more.
My skills are shaping up nicely. I enjoy working for my handler! The outside world is a very interesting place. I went to UF health and got to be a therapy dog for veterans who were going through their therapy.
I didn’t like settling and laying there all that much. I REALLY wanted to play! But I politely chewed my bone and settled. My handler and I have been working on my final skills, my “stand” is strong!
I know exactly where to put my feet. I’m still trying to figure out “brace.” Sometimes I stand and let my handler put her hands on me, other times I get excited and wiggly and move away.
I’ll get it one day; I just know it! Well, it's time
to get out there and work on those skills!! - Atlas AHEPA signing off! 09/2022
The American Legion Hellenic Post 129
Located in Minneapolis, is the first and oldest Greek-American post in the country.
It's members have served in armed conflicts beginning with WWI and including WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the two Gulf Wars, and Afghanistan.
We continue to serve our community today consistent with the ideals of the American Legion,
which coincidentally are not that far apart from those of the AHEPA witness the fact that most of our post members are also AHEPANS..
Hi! Atlas AHEPA here from Camp K9! I have had a busy couple of weeks going to some new fun places. We went downtown to the Museum of Science and History. There were so many exhibits that moved and made noises. I had no issues walking through with confidence. There were several field trips there with a lot of children of all ages. I was so good about working around them without being distracted from my trainer. I also got to take a walk downtown to the docks and walked next to the water on a floating dock. That was a little weird to me at first because of the unstable footing, but I quickly adapted and did okay after that. On another day we went to the beach. I love the water and got to show everyone just how much as my trainer put a long line on me and let me go in and play some! My trainer, Jay, says I have continued to improve when going back to places we’ve been before. I always enjoy the extra treats for doing a good job! I have had to take it a little slower than usual in my training lately because of a recent small injury. I don't act any different, but my trainer told me I have to slow down for my own safety. I'm sure I will be back to myself sooner rather than later but I have to be all cleared by our vet staff first! I still get to go out for my fun training times with my friend Jay and go to approved locations. We went to a local museum that had so many school kids there on field trips; the energy was very exciting! I still did my overall cues and was behaving like a champ! I was getting compliments from not only the staff at the museum but some of the teachers and children as well. I always enjoy going to the mall with all the different people and sights and smells each time. My trainer brought me to places like department and grocery stores to keep me sharp! So even though I'm having to take it a little easier lately I haven't stopped my progress. I will share more adventures with you in the upcoming weeks. Take care everyone!
Howl-roooo! Atlas AHEPA here and I have some very bark-citing news for you! Last week I passed another of my skills test and am very close to becoming a Service Dog! My trainer was so proud of me. I had to maintain a down position in the busy freezer section of this place the hoomans call Walmart and resist saying hello to people and even resist sniffing packages of meat-logs as they were held very close to me. It was very hard and while I did happen to drool a bit, I was able to maintain composure. I was also challenged to perform some of my service skills in....you guessed it....the DOG FOOOOD AISLE!!!! My nose senses were going wild, but with my trainer’s support I got through it just fine and will continue to work on my impulses because I just love food sooooooo much! My trainer says she understands because she loves food too, but she insists that we can't always eat what we want when we want if we want to maintain a fit body and good health. I pawsitively want to be in the best shape to help my future Warrior, so I do my very best to listen to what she says. We also went to what is usually one of my favorite places to train called the Avenues Mall. It was very busy and I was a little overwhelmed by all the hustle and bustle. There was so much for my doggy eyes to take in! My trainer knows me well though and with support I was able to work through the distractions like a champ and she didn't make me work too long that day. When we got home I was given a huge peanut butter Kong to relax with. I couldn't have thought of a better way to end an intense day of hard work. My tongue and tummy were soooo happy and then I took a nice long nap. I can't wait to update you guys more in the next couple weeks! I hear there are lots of bark-ventures planned! 10/28/22
Hello from Camp K9s! My name is Atlas AHEPA and I am officially on track to become a Service Dog! I recently met my new trainer, Jay. We spent our first sessions building a relationship with each other
and just hanging out. This is so valuable in training so that we can trust each other and work together. As much as I love hanging out with Jay, meeting him makes me extra excited to get assigned to a Warrior one day! Last week we worked on some basic obedience and other skills that I learned right when I got here, like walking on a leash. Then, when Jay saw how impressive I am, we went to a local shopping plaza to work on what the humans call “public access.” Jay says this is important so that I can perform everywhere a Warrior may go in the future. We went in Home Depot, Ross Dress for Less, and even went to lunch at a Burger Barn where I practiced staying in a down while multiple trainers and other dogs sat at the tables with us. Jay says we will continue to work on obedience and skills and will start going to more challenging public access places in the upcoming weeks. I can’t wait to share my progress with you!
The past few weeks we have gone out to do more public access at places like the mall & our local town center. It is full of different types of stores, people, and other dogs. My trainer, Jay, says it’s great for training opportunities. I really like exploring different environments, even when they are scary. For example, we’ve been practicing walking on different surfaces that feel funny on my paws, and even took trips on some elevators! Jay says I am very confident, which is important for my future Battle Buddy, who will take me everywhere he or she goes. We have also been going to restaurants where I get to take a nice nap and enjoy the smells while Jay and the other trainers eat. Sometimes the people who take their orders and bring out the food get really close to me or step over me, but I stay calm and just let them do their job. I’ve learned that I get a special treat when I stay calm during these situations, so I really don’t mind having people in my personal space! Jay’s nickname for me is “Rockstar,” whatever that means. Anyway, I look forward to more progress updates and exciting adventures in the upcoming weeks! 02/2022
Atlas AHEPA Howl-roooo! Atlas AHEPA here and I have some very bark-citing news for you!
Last week I passed another of my skills test and am very close to becoming a Service Dog! My trainer was so proud of me. I had to maintain a down position in the busy freezer section of this place the hoomans call Walmart and resist saying hello to people and even resist sniffing packages of meat-logs as they were held very close to me. It was very hard and while I did happen to drool a bit, I was able to maintain composure. I was also challenged to perform some of my service skills in....you guessed it....the DOG FOOOOD AISLE!!!! My nose senses were going wild, but with my trainer's support I got through it just fine and will continue to work on my impulses because I just love food sooooooo much! We also went to what is usually one of my favorite places to train called the Avenues Mall. It was very busy, and I was a little overwhelmed by all the hustle and bustle. There was so much for my doggy eyes to take in! My trainer knows me well though and with support I was able to work through the distractions like a champ and she didn't make me work too long that day. When we got home, I was given a huge peanut butter Kong to relax with. My tongue and tummy were soooo happy and then I took a nice long nap. I can't wait to update y'all more in the next couple weeks! 11/2021
10/2021
Atlas AHEPA (male) Woof woof! It's so nice to meet you! I'm a hunk of a dog that loves all the snacks the world has to offer.
My trainer Kelsey loves me and says I'm a very smart boy and that I learn so quickly! It's so much fun going to all kinds of places. I really enjoyed seeing the giant dogs with wings at the place called a museum. I don't know why my trainer kept calling them dragons. I also didn't understand why there were people in glass boxes that didn't move. I mean who wouldn't want to say hi to me?!? My trainer said they aren't real...whatever that means. We also went to a place called the ocean. I wasn't the biggest fan of getting in the water, but it was worth it to stay with my trainer and get more snacks! Bark at you later!
We chose Atlas Ahepa as our name for our next dog. Atlas was chosen first and foremost because it is a Greek-based name but also because of who he was in mythology. When we think of Greek mythology and the name Atlas, we think of a Titan who was compelled to support the celestial heavens on his shoulders. Today, when we see a book of maps, we often see a picture of Atlas on the cover of the book supporting the earth. Atlas supports us and guides us in our daily lives. A canine partner can also take on those same qualities of support and guidance as they bond to their master.
