Freedom Canines, Habitat for Humanity pair up

Wimberley’s Habitat for Humanity has partnered with Freedom Canines to build a training deck for the service dogs they train to assist people needing their specialized skills.

Freedom Canines International is the work of Becky and Todd Kier of Wimberley. The service non-profit breeds, whelps and trains the dogs, of which a large part of the training takes place on an outdoor deck at the rear of their home. The previous deck, in need of repair, was tiered and not suitable for equipment. The tiered design also proved unworkable for the student trainers who are an important part of the program. The deck lacked stair steps that the pups needed to learn to climb, wait on, and balance humans who they might one day assist.

“Fortunately, we’d saved for and purchased the decking before prices went up,” said Todd. “Building the deck was next, but after two years of waiting to afford the labor, we went looking for help. We approached Habitat for Humanity, not knowing if they could help us with the project or not.”

A Christian housing ministry and non-profit itself, Habitat for Humanity has an established record of building homes, but they also take on smaller projects for individuals and for other non-profits in the community.

Habitat for Humanity’s Board President Lamar Sellers said, “We love what Freedom Canines do and we wanted to help them with their project, especially since they were able to provide the materials.”

For Habitat for Humanity home builds, qualified recipients partner with skilled volunteers to build their house and then commit to pay for it with a low cost mortgage that covers materials.

“This is a perfect example of teamwork,” Sellers continued. “We asked Hill Country Land Improvements if they could provide the materials and labor for the deck’s concrete footings and they generously agreed. Our volunteers got busy on the tear down and had a lot of fun building the deck and the stairs with our canine friends in mind.” Work for the 20 foot by 27 foot deck was completed in seven months.

Presently, as many as twenty dogs are learning to alert diabetics, provide hearing help for deaf citizens, guide the blind, and assist mobility impaired individuals. Each service dog is tailored to meet the needs of the person with whom he or she is paired. The dogs are placed with clients free of charge.

A large component of the training is undertaken by Wimberley High students who become puppy raisers for young dogs from eight weeks to 16 months, and foster raisers who take pups at night and on weekends. Initial training teaches indoor manners. Advanced training involves leash work and commands, as well as learning confidence through a wide exposure to the outside world.

“We are so grateful to Lamar of Habitat for Humanity and Chris Lawson and Blake McLean of Hill Country Land Improvements and the volunteers for building our training deck. It brings us tremendous peace of mind to know that our trainers and dogs have a suitable and safe place to be,” said Todd.

Sellers responded by saying, “Connecting with our community is what we do, and we couldn’t be more pleased to partner with this very special non-profit.”