In the Press
media clippings & recordingsDog Pause Radio Show & Podcast on WRSI The River
Featuring Dog Expert Sarah Meikle founder of Diggity Dogs Service Dogs and WRSI DJ & Dog Lover Emily Borque
Sarah L. Meikle
Founder & Executive Director of Diggity Dogs Service Dogs & Dog Pause's Dog Expert Guest Host
Originally from Rye, NY, Sarah Meikle lived many places, including a year in New Zealand and almost six years in Australia, before finally calling the Happy Valley her home. While studying at Smith College, Sarah conducted extensive research into the applications of service dogs for psychiatric and medical conditions. Enamored with the inspiring difference such dogs could make, Sarah went on to learn how to train such dogs and eventually founded Diggity Dogs Service Dogs, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to producing psychiatric, medical alert and mobility service dogs for disabled individuals. Diggity Dogs has become a world leader and pioneer of the applications of psychiatric and medical alert dogs and has been placing service dogs nationwide for more than ten years.
Emily Bourque
WRSI The River DJ & Host of Dog Pause
A Massachusetts native and talented musician herself, the luminous Emily Bourque pleasures WRSI listeners with her dulcet tones and vibrant, insightful, amusing and poignant segments.
Since joining the WRSI team, Emily has created a captivating array of segments, such as Dog Pause, that entertain, educate and enlighten audiences, create valuable community connections, and enable listeners to explore the many varied lives, business and talents in our diverse and creative Western MA communities.
Emily’s passion for the exploring and appreciating the Valley’s natural wonders and incredible people is infectious, heartwarming, refreshing, delightful and always inspiring.
Explore Previous Episodes…
Listen to past episodes of Dog Pause on the WRSI website and tune in every week on Thursday after 4pm for the latest episodes full of incredible research, interviews, training tips, explanations of behavior and an abundance of useful dog information.
Listeners will come to understand our four legged companions in greater depth, with better clarity, and, hopefully, gain useful insights that will enrich and enhance all of their dog relationships and experiences.
Click here to listen to episodes on the WRSI website or on the WRSI App today!
TedTalk
TedTalk by Sarah Meikle,
founder and executive director
of Diggity Dogs Service Dogs.
Testimonial
“The blessing of receiving a psychiatric alert dog is so hard to put into words. During a hospitalization for my diagnosis, I was feeling desperate and desolate. A nurse recognized me and said, “How are you going to stay out of the hospital after this visit?” I replied that I wanted to stay out, but was just stumbling through life unsure of how to make that happen. The next words out of her mouth would change my life: “Did you know you could qualify for a psychiatric alert service dog?” My awe and excitement could not be contained, and soon after I discovered Diggity Dogs. To this day, I have not been admitted to the hospital. My sweet girl, Niko, works so hard and beautifully for me. While we are a new team, I cannot emphasize enough that our bond was instant and the benefit I have felt from her presence is steadfast. She is so in tune with me that even the energy I give off will tell her to alert to me! Honestly, I cannot even remember what my life was like before having a service dog. The sense of empowerment you feel with a partner by your side is indescribable. With Niko, just about everything is possible. Without Diggity Dogs and their incredible staff, my capacity to function would still be diminished. The process of preparing for Niko was informed, smooth, and simply incredible. I always felt assured with this nonprofit, even in the early stages of the process, before Niko was even born! I could not recommend Diggity Dogs more highly. To say that my life is changed or better or more worth living is just an understatement– it is all of that and so much more. If you’re feeling like I did (stuck, unsure, desolate), please consider this option. You will not regret entering this process. And trust me, this dream is so wonderful once it becomes a reality. Niko and the people who made her training possible at Diggity Dogs are truly the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
-Michaela.
Testimonial
“In less than a month, my dog has already done
more for me than years of therapy and medication combined!”
– Kylie, Royce’s human
Testimonial
“Our daughter Emma received her service dog, Disco, from Diggity Dogs Service Dogs, Inc. two years ago. Having Disco in her life has been a life-changing for Emma, and we could not be more grateful for our experience with them. Diggity Dogs was friendly and extremely professional throughout the process. They kept us informed at every stage before we came to get Disco, and the week of training that they provided to Emma when we picked him up was thorough and beneficial. They have been continually available to us since that time to answer any questions, or address any concerns that we have had. Disco has been an amazing dog since he came home with us. He has flown on planes with Emma several times without incident. We have taken him on long car trips without any problems. Most importantly, he has been Emma’s constant companion for two years now. He has gone with gone with her to crowded stores, movies, even fan conventions, all places she could not go before she had him. His behavior has been perfect every time. We have had countless experiences with Disco as a family where we get up to leave some public place and people are startled to see a dog was there at all; he had been so quiet and well-behaved. Disco is also beautifully in tune with Emma. He recognizes her symptoms, and reacts to them effectively. His interactions with her are subtle, yet have proved to be wonderfully effective in promoting her ability to cope with her stressors. This has proved to be so valuable in promoting her independence and her self-reliance. In closing, we have nothing but positive things to say about Diggity Dogs. They have proven time and again to be wonderful people, and our experience with their training program has proven flawless. We would endorse them without hesitation. Should anyone wish to speak with us regarding our experiences with Diggity Dogs, we would be happy to do so.”
– Kevin
