Helping Paws Rescue (HPR) is a 501(c)3 organization that rescues German Shepherds from Kill Shelters around the USA. HPR offers foster care for German SHepherd dogs waiting for their Forever Homes. The number of Foster Homes dictates the number of dogs that can be adopted out via a rigorous screening process. HPR provides each rescued German Shepherd with the physical, emotional, social, and medical help they need while waiting for their Forever Homes.
HPR, via DogTreff New York, in coordination with Action Towards Independence, Wounded Warriors, and other outreach programs, provides specialty-trained rescued German Shepherds to US veterans suffering with combat-related injuries such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and other disabilities. This is a free service for the US Veterans.
DogTreff NY Head Trainer Wilhem Lipp, hand-selects the German Shepherd dog best suited to the US Veteran's personality and needs. Thereafter, the German Shepherd lives with the US Veteran while they both receive 8 weeks of personalized training at the DogTreff training facility in Godeffroy, Orange County, New York, plus an additional 8 weeks of training in the "outside world", such as grocery stores, shopping malls, meetings with family and friends, etc. This personalized training method enables the US Veteran to return to a more normal lifestyle and better function in the outside world.
DogTreff NY (translated as Dog Meeting Place) is a for-profit training facility located in Godeffroy, Orange County, NY. Under the guidance of Head Trainer Wilhelm Lipp, DogTreff NY offers the highest level of training standards in the sport known as Schutzhund (protection dog) to provide an opportunity for dog owners to compete with each other for recognition of both the handler’s ability to train, and the dog’s ability to perform as required.
About Schutzhund
Schutzhund was developed in Germany in the early 1900s as a system of breed suitability tests for the German Shepherd Dog. It was designed to test the natural instincts of the breed and to weed out the dogs that were either unstable or untrainable. This helped ensure that breeding stock would pass on the most desirable traits to working dogs such as police dogs, military dogs, and search and rescue dogs.
Over the past century, Schutzhund has remained a breed test, but has also evolved into a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all walks of life, from new dog owners to seasoned competitors. In many countries, Schutzhund titles are still considered prerequisites for breeding rights and, in some countries, Schutzhund is called “The Versatility Test for Working Dogs.”
Persons of all ages -- and even those with significant disabilities -- are able to participate and enjoy the sport. Often it is a family hobby.
Please note that, contrary to the popular misconception that Schutzhund is “all about protection,” it is actually securely founded on obedience and control of a dog’s natural instincts and drives. Schutzhund dogs are safe, stable companions in the home and in public, good with children, under control, and at peace with their surroundings.
In addition to Schutzhund training, DogTreff NY also:
- Serves those who served America (see above for info on specialty-trained service dogs for US Veterans).
- Is a small, reputable breeding program for sound, appealing, healthy German Shepherd dogs with show and working abilities.
- Offers stud service for breeding. (Paramus Rotary met one of DogTreff's top dogs and sire, Xantozzi Von Pallas Athene).
Yours in Rotary,
Elizabeth Spaeth