Phoenix Rising: Service Dogs Saving Lives

10/01/2026

🐾 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗣𝗧𝗦𝗗 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗕𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼?

Sometimes the most important work a service dog does isn't obvious to the people around them.

For someone living with PTSD, a trained service dog can perform specific tasks designed to support their handler when they need it most.

This is something deeply personal to me.

My life with 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄 taught me just how powerful that partnership can be. He wasn't there simply for comfort—he was my partner.

And that experience continues to shape the mission behind 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀.

🎥 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵: “W𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗣𝗧𝗦𝗗 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗕𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼?”undefined
https://youtube.com/shorts/QXVv8gasF8M

I hope sharing conversations like this helps more people understand that behind every working service dog is a partnership, a purpose, and often a story you cannot see from the outside.

For me, that story will always include Shadow. 🐾❤️

And through the work we continue to do, his legacy moves forward.

09/30/2026

🐾 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼?

This is a question I'm often asked.

A service dog isn't simply a well-behaved dog who gets to accompany their person everywhere.

These dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that help their handlers navigate everyday life with greater safety, independence, and confidence.

I experienced that partnership personally with 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄.

He wasn't “just a dog” standing beside me. He had a job. He knew me, supported me, and helped me in ways that can sometimes be difficult to explain unless you've experienced that kind of partnership yourself.

That relationship is also a huge part of why the work we do at 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 means so much to me.

🎥 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵: “W𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼?"
https://youtube.com/shorts/nZuc1jy9hDc

If you've ever wondered what separates a service dog from a pet or what these incredible dogs can actually be trained to do, I hope you'll take a moment to watch and learn.

Education creates understanding—and understanding helps make the world a little easier for service dog teams. 🐾

09/29/2026

🐾 A Very Personal Episode — In Loving Memory of Shadow

Watch my conversation with Autoimmune Adventures!

Thank you, Becky, and Alysia, for the opportunity to talk about something incredibly close to my heart: my life with Shadow, service dogs, and the work we do through Phoenix Rising: Service Dogs Saving Lives.

I could never have known just how meaningful this conversation would become.

With Shadow’s unexpected death, sharing this episode today feels different. It gives me an opportunity to honor the dog who stood beside me, supported me, helped me reclaim parts of my life, and showed me firsthand just how powerful the partnership between a service dog and their person can be.

Shadow was so much more than a companion. He changed my life. ❤️

🎙️ Watch the full Autoimmune Adventures episode:
https://youtu.be/HizZydTa5xQ

🎥 Watch today’s Reel:
https://youtube.com/shorts/EC2rpyg24eo

Thank you to Stacy, Becky, and Alysia for giving me the space to tell our story with such compassion.

And Shadow—thank you for every step.

Your legacy continues. 🐾❤️

09/29/2026

Can petting a dog really lower your blood pressure? 🐾

For Lee Atherton, the bond with her service dog, Shadow, went far beyond companionship.

Shadow was a source of support, safety, independence, and comfort—and their extraordinary partnership is at the heart of our upcoming conversation on Autoimmune Adventures.

In this special episode, Lee shares her story and helps us understand just how life-changing the relationship between a service dog and their person can be.

🎙️ Featuring Lee Atherton
🐾 Phoenix Rising: Service Dogs Saving Lives
📅 Full episode releases September 29

Watch the YouTube Short here: https://youtube.com/shorts/ylivHr3myZI

Today, we’re sharing a short moment from the conversation:

🎥 “Can Petting a Dog Really Lower Your Blood Pressure?”

This episode is shared in loving memory of Shadow. 🤍

You know that thing you do without even thinking about it—your dog ...

09/19/2026

We're here! 🎉

Come find 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 & 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘀 today at Bolton Spring Farm.

Meet 𝗟𝗲𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻, learn about service dogs, catch one of our two presentations, enter for prizes, pick up a giveaway, check out our autographed books and grab some special Phoenix Rising Brew Biscuits for your four-legged friend. 🐕🦺🦴❤️

⏰ 11 AM–5 PM
📍 159 Main Street, Bolton, MA

Come say hello!

09/18/2026

The treats are ready.
The prizes are waiting.
And Phoenix Rising is ready to meet you. 🐾❤️

Join us tomorrow at Tales, Tails & Ales!
📍 Bolton Spring Farm
⏰ 11 AM–5 PM

Come for the fun. Stay for the mission.

09/17/2026

Sharon Waschler with At Your Service Dog Training is my favorite trainer. This article about public access has a wealth of information.

Leave us a comment - what did you find most helpful? Do you have any questions?

The worst part of being a service dog partner is usually the specter of access challenges. In this article, we discuss why access challenges seem to be on the rise in the U.S., how to respond when they occur, and how to reduce the likelihood you'll suffer an access denial.

09/17/2026

Sharon Waschler with At Your Service Dog Training is my favorite trainer. This article about public access has a wealth of information.

Leave us a comment - what did you find most helpful? Do you have any questions?

Send a message to learn more

09/17/2026

𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 & 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘀! 🎉🐶

Phoenix Rising is getting ready for a day filled with dogs, stories, education, giveaways, prizes, special treats and community.

📅 September 19
⏰ 11 AM–5 PM
📍 Bolton Spring Farm
159 Main Street, Bolton, MA

We'll see you there! ❤️

09/15/2026

Sometimes change begins with one conversation.

Every person who learns more about service dogs helps build greater understanding. Every supporter helps 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 move closer to a future where these life-changing partnerships are more accessible.

Come start a conversation with us 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 & 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘀. 🐕🦺