On a transatlantic flight to Europe, Éclair is arriving in Ireland. But this isn’t just another jet-lagged tourist: This is a four-legged traveler.
Éclair is a black lab puppy. She went to Europe as part of an exchange to help enhance the service dogs that assist people across the nation, and she was sent by an assistance dog service in rural Kansas.
Bryce Dolan is director of marketing and fundraising for KSDS Assistance Dogs Inc., which sent the puppy Éclair to Ireland as part of an international exchange.
KSDS had its beginnings through 4-H. In 1987, 4-H dog project members from Cloud, Riley and Washington counties began serving as puppy raisers for assistance dog organizations in Ohio and California.
When they realized that very few of these assistance dogs were being placed in the Midwest, they wanted an assistance dog training facility for people in the central U.S.
In 1990, the Kansas Specialty Dog Service (now known as KSDS) opened its doors in Washington, Kansas. KSDS is a non-profit organization that provides professionally trained guide and service dogs for people in need of a canine partner. KSDS is led by CEO Duane Toews and a board of volunteers.
