Amy Capps of Service Dogs Alabama is an Alabama Bright Light
Service Dogs Alabama trains and provides specially trained canines for individuals and groups. (contributed)
As the manager of Organizational and Fund Development with Service Dogs Alabama, Amy Capps adores the canines she handles and her work.
“I absolutely love our dogs and what I do with Service Dogs of Alabama,” Capps said. “We end up helping folks that really need it and that’s extremely fulfilling. When you see our dogs making lives better for the people they help, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.”
Service Dogs Alabama provides medical and psychiatric service dogs to adults and children, including veterans and people with disabilities. The dogs also go to schools, youth facilities and courtrooms.
“Service dogs are much more than helping the visually impaired,” Capps said. “At Service Dogs Alabama we provide service dogs for seizure alert, PTSD, mobility assistance and other conditions.”
Amy Capps of Service Dogs Alabama is an Alabama Bright Light from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
The dogs can be trained to detect a drop in blood sugar levels and alert the person by a nudge or a bark. They are also trained to detect seizures and press an alarm button to get help. In addition to helping individuals, dogs can work at a school or facility to benefit a group.
To accomplish the training and all that goes with funding Service Dogs Alabama, Capps said they depend on grants from organizations like the Alabama Power Foundation.
“We love the Alabama Power Foundation,” she said. “We have been partners since the beginning of our organization back in 2015, and they have always supported our annual fundraising event. They have also supported us through grants. One of those generous grants is being utilized right now. They are helping us place a school dog, and we are in Day Two of the transitional training.”
On the website for Service Dogs Alabama, a quote from a veteran sums up the entire story.
“These people are saving lives. They saved my life. They gave my daughter her dad back,” said Jeremy Millwood, a retired U.S. Army sergeant and former combat medic.
Capps considers Millwood’s sentiment and others like it a fulfilling reason for her work.
“Seeing the work that we do resulting in people getting these animals that they need, and seeing their lives change for the better, that feels just incredible,” she said. “When I know the impact the dog will have on our folks, it gives me a sense of being and a sense of purpose.”
For more information, visit www.servicedogsalabama.org.
