Quinn's Pledge-A-Pup Updates
Jun 15, 2025
Quinn and Brian will train together and learn how to navigate grocery stores, the mall, TSA, public transportation and restaurants. Quinn has learned how to “task” for Brian, DPT- Deep pressure Therapy, grounding techniques, social barrier and social mobility. Quinn will alert on Brians anxiety and hopefully wake him up from nightmares.
Jun 10, 2025
“The day has finally come, what Quinn was born to do, serve an American Hero. Today is the first day of an incredible journey, a journey that Quinn has been raised for and trained for. This Veterans life will change forever, this emotional encounter is only the beginning of breaking barriers and a future full of hope and healing.”
-Shannon Walker, CEO + Founder
May 20, 2025
This month, Quinn has been focusing on one of the most essential skills in her PTSD service dog training: Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT). Quinn's trainers at NWBB have been teaching her how to respond during moments when Veterans experience high anxiety by positioning herself across their lap, placing her head over their legs, or leaning against them with her body weight.
Apr 25, 2025
This month, Quinn was vested for her first mall experience, where she has been learning to navigate challenging stair environments. The training stairs present unique difficulties as they're transparent with glass sides — features that often intimidate dogs due to the extra height and vulnerability.
However, this wasn't much of a problem for Quinn (watch the video!) Her trainers report she tackled the transparent stairs with confidence and relative ease, and are now focusing on refining her ability to follow her handler precisely, moving step-by-step at the handler's pace. While Quinn still needs to work on her following skills, her trainers are extremely pleased with her progress, especially considering this is only her first week working on these specific tasks in a busy, public place.
Mar 25, 2025
We're please to report that Quinn is thriving in her professional training program at Northwest Battle Buddies! Her days follow a structured schedule of essential routines while still incorporating plenty of enriching playtime.
Quinn has fully recovered from her spaying procedure and has made excellent progress with her training. This month, our trainers have focused on strengthening her recall commands and mastering "long downs" — an important skill where she remains in the down position for extended periods until given the release command.
Feb 20, 2025
Quinn has transitioned smoothly into her professional training program at Northwest Battle Buddies and is thriving in her new environment. Her days are structured around learning essential routines and schedules, while still maintaining plenty of enriching playtime.
She recently underwent a successful spay/neuter procedure at Newberg Veterinary Clinic, and after completing the 10-day recovery period, she'll begin foundational training focusing on crucial skills, including leash manners, "down" and "here" commands, and proper greeting behaviors (specifically working on eliminating jumping).
Jan 15, 2025
We're thrilled to announce Quinn's graduation from our foster program! She'll soon begin her next chapter at NWBB headquarters for specialized training, with plans to match her with a Veteran in approximately 5 months.
Quinn's Foster's Farewell Message:
"You have been a sweet and special blessing to our family. We are the lucky ones for having been able to spend this past year with you! It won’t be the same around here without you, we will definitely feel the space that you usually fill. We love you tons, we know you are going to do great and wonderful things. We are a very excited for the rest of the world to meet the Mighty Quinn!”
-Quinn's Foster
Dec 20, 2024
Quinn likes to chew on her own foot
-Quinn's Foster
Dec 15, 2024
This past month we’ve really worked on greeting people at the door. Quinn still has some work to do, but she’s getting better. The more visitors we have the more practice she gets. We have also been working on the down command. She’s got that one down pretty good.
-Quinn's Foster
Nov 20, 2024
We've been trying to take as many walks as we can before the winter weather hits. Quinn does very well on a leash, she adjusts quickly with just minor corrections.
-Quinn's Foster
Oct 20, 2024
Quinn dressed up a for a Harry Potter Party!
-Quinn's Foster
Oct 15, 2024
Up until this past month, Quinn would crawl under our bed and that was her favorite place to sleep. She's grown enough now so she doesn't fit under the bed anymore, and now she's discovered how much she loves to snuggle in our bed! She is generally polite, barks and waits to be invited. On occasion, she just comes flying in.
-Quinn's Foster
Sep 15, 2024
Quinn weighs 58 lbs this month! He had a great vacation with his foster family, and enjoyed getting rocks from the lake.
-Quinn's Foster
Sep 10, 2024
We had a couple of camping trips this past month. One of which was a boat-in, island camping up at Priest Lake, Idaho. Quinn did great on the boat, she just found a comfy spot and hung out, even took a couple of boat naps. She played in the water a lot! Our friends had 2 golden doodles that love the water, so there was lots of chasing, fetching, and swimming.
-Quinn's Foster
Aug 15, 2024
Quinn playing with her new toys.
Aug 10, 2024
Quinn and Lady have been coming to work with me regularly. We are working with her on being polite and giving space at the front door, especially when the mailman comes with treats. She has also been working on her down command. . . we are up to 5 minutes in a good down!
-Quinn's Foster
Jul 10, 2024
Quinn is such a respectful puppy. She has streaks of bossiness, and she can be stubborn at times. But, mostly she is responsive and lots of fun. She got to go swimming in the lake, but she mostly just wanted to play with our golden, Lady. She gets super excited in the water and it makes her want to run and chase. She did spend some time biting the waves and she wasn't so much into fetching. She did swim a little, so cute!
-Quinn's Foster
Jun 15, 2024
Quinn really likes water! She had her first camping trip over Memorial Day. She slept great in the tent camper, had excellent manners around the fire, and did not like being on a rope the whole weekend.
-Quinn's Foster
Jun 10, 2024
Quinn has the most thoughtful face, it’s like she can read your mind. Every time I look at look at her I can’t help but smile! Sometimes she talks to us, just looks at us and gives small barks and funny sounds, then goes back to whatever she was doing. Quinn gets a full body wag when she sees our daughter McKayla, they love spending time together.
-Quinn's Foster
May 03, 2024
We’ve been working with her on sit, off, no bite, and leash walking. Quinn now weighs 27.5 pounds!
May 01, 2024
Quinn jumping off a chair. I swear she’s part goat!
-Quinn's Foster
Apr 17, 2024
Here is a video of Quinn mastering the stairs!
-Quinn's Foster
Apr 16, 2024
Quinn drinking from the big water bowl last week. She weighs 20 pounds now and has already grown so much!
-Quinn's Foster
Apr 13, 2024
Quinn snuggled up with her foster sister Lady.
-Quinn's Foster
Apr 12, 2024
Quinn loves her new foster home! She went to the dance studio during rehearsal and hung out with all the waiting moms and kiddos. The little girls loved on her the entire time. She was one tired puppy when we got home!
-Quinn's Foster