We love learning about people in the Smoky Valley who strive to make an impact with their lives, and Jennifer Ebling definitely is doing that. Folks, meet Manning!
Manning is a very intelligent yellow lab who is currently training under Jennifer to become a service dog through KSDS, based in Washington, KS. He was born in their famous quarterback-themed litter, along with Mahomes, Elway, and Brady.
The KSDS provides guide dogs for the visually impaired, service dogs to assist individuals with physical disabilities, and facility dogs that assist professionals in the field of education, counseling, healthcare, retirement, or the legal system.
Manning says hello to some new friends, Thor and Loki, at Lindsborg’s dog park.
Puppies trained through KSDS program become guide, assistance, and facilities dogs. Jennifer is part of their puppy-raising volunteer base, which currently spans twenty-four states in the US. They take care of the puppies from 8 weeks until they are 16-20 months old, when they return to the KSDS campus to continue in more formal training. During this time they are responsible for teaching basic obedience, manners, and socialization. Hill’s Pet Nutrition donates food for the puppies as they are raised by volunteers.
Jennifer also does onsite training for canine owners who are frustrated with their dogs’ behavior and want to learn how to communicate better with them. She emphasizes that training isn’t effective if the owners don’t know how to keep consistent with what their dogs have learned.
We think Manning can’t wait until he’s 5 months old and can finally play with friends at Lindsborg’s dog park: Scentral Bark! If you see Manning around town, make sure to say hi!
You can contact Jennifer with training inquiries for your own dog at jennebling@gmail.com.
For more information on the KSDS visit www.ksds.org.
