Winston's Pledge-A-Pup Updates
Aug 20, 2025
Winston and Man's Best Friend Employees. After careful evaluation, we determined Winston was not the best fit for the role of a service dog. Instead, he'll be returning to his foster family as a cherished pet, where he'll bring years of joy and love in the role he was truly meant for.
Jul 20, 2025
This month, Winston's trainer worked with him on getting more comfortable going in and out of his crate. Although service dogs are typically with their handlers, it's important to prepare Winston for situations where he may need to be in his crate for longer periods of time, like recovering from an injury.
Jun 20, 2025
Winstons first month at NWBB has been an eventful one! He has recently been neutered and as soon as he received medical clearance he has started learning the “here” and the “down” command. Winston has met new battle buddy buddies that are at the kennel for the same reason, and he is settling in very well. Winston has proven to be very friendly and outgoing, the traits that NWBB desires for all of their service dogs!
Winston has an exciting journey in front of him, and he has lots to learn before he meets his Veteran!
May 20, 2025
Winston officially started training at the Northwest Battle Buddies facility! While his foster parents were sad to see him go, they're excited for his future — and thanks to his progress over the past year, his foster family feels confident he'll make a great PTSD service dog.
Here's what his foster family had to say:
"It was so much fun having him for the last year and bittersweet moments taking him back...He will do great things. Love him. We’ll miss him."
Apr 25, 2025
Winston also enjoyed his first ice cream cone this past month! Needless to say, he absolutely loved it, and devoured it in record time. But the fun didn't end there: Winston also received his monthly Bark Box subscription, which contained a bunny ball toy that's quickly become his favorite.
Apr 15, 2025
This month, Winston's foster focused on developing his car travel skills without using a crate, marking important progress in his service dog training. We're so excited to hear he's doing well!
Winston also had a blast meeting and playing with three other dogs his foster was puppy-sitting: Willow (black lab, pictured with Winston below), Bella (yellow lab), and Chewy (a smaller yellow dog). His foster happily reported they were all worn out after playing together.
Mar 25, 2025
Winston's foster family has continued to expand his exposure to various environments and sounds. Winston has been accompanying his foster parent around their property and spending time in the workshop, where he's grown very comfortable with loud noises, like power tools. This type of exposure is excellent for desensitizing him to sudden, loud noises — an important skill for a PTSD service dog.
Winston has also been enjoying the pleasant spring weather and sunshine. It hasn't been all play and no work, though. He's been "helping" his foster parent with yard work by grabbing branches during tree-trimming sessions!
-Winston's Foster
Feb 20, 2025
Winston's been quite the cuddler this month! He's always looking for a chance to hop up in his foster parent's chairs and loves belly rubs and snuggling. On the training front, Winston has also made excellent progress with the "bring" and "drop" commands, and has even turned them into part of his daily routine.
-Winston's Foster
Jan 15, 2025
Winston's fosters have been focusing on several key areas, including leash work and car accessibility. Winston has overcome his previous anxiety about sitting in the driver's side of the vehicle, and they're now working on teaching him to load from the rear hatch, which allows him to jump up independently.
-Winston's Foster
Dec 15, 2024
Winston has had a busy month preparing for Christmas photos we practiced sitting with is bow tie. This weekend we are heading out to get a tree and hopefully pictures with Santa. We’ll see how he does.
-Winston's Foster
Nov 20, 2024
Winston loves the rain; he has no problem getting wet and muddy.
-Winston's Foster
Oct 15, 2024
This month, we got two rescue kittens who Winston is in love with. He loves the head rubs!
-Winston's Foster
Sep 15, 2024
Winston continues to grow and develop, and now weighs an impressive 61 lbs! His physical growth is matched by his increasing ability to understand and respond to commands, with "sit" now firmly in his skill set. Winston's journey this month has been particularly touching. His foster faced some personal challenges, and Winston has shown remarkable intuition and comfort-giving abilities. Without any formal training in this area, he seems to sense when his foster needs support and will sit by her side.
-Winston's Foster
Aug 12, 2024
Winston is growing quickly – he's now 46 pounds! Winston is currently getting the zoomies at least once a day now, loves it when his Foster brother plays chase around the yard. He has also found the ripe blueberry bushes on our deck and likes to help himself to a treat.
-Winston's Foster
Aug 12, 2024
Winston has discovered the ripe blueberry bushes on his foster parents' deck and loves helping himself to a little treat.
-Winston's Foster
Jul 15, 2024
Winston is growing quickly, up to 32 pounds this month! He is now kennel-trained and learning to walk on a leash about 5-10 minutes a day. He sits and waits patiently at the door to go outside, already learning his manners. He's been cooling off in the pool and playing with the other resident puppy Haunz in his free time.
-Winston's Foster