​What is a service dog?

A service dog is a specially trained dog that helps people with functional disabilities. The Teodors association mainly trains companion dogs that help people with visual impairments.

Therapy dogs are also trained, and, if necessary and possible, assistant dogs and signal dogs that help, for example, people with epilepsy or type 1 diabetes.

“A service dog provides independence, which is self-evident to a person without health problems,” says Līga Ķikute, a representative of the association’s board.

She emphasizes that society still lacks understanding of the important and responsible work of service dogs. “A service dog is not a pet, but a working dog that performs its work duties together with its owner.”

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Why is it important to help?

Training one service dog costs up to 25 thousand euros, and this amount is covered thanks to donations. Financial support from the state is provided only periodically in the form of projects.

Donations are needed not only to purchase and train the dogs, but also to care for them throughout their lives – to provide both annual training and veterinary services.
Intensive training of a service dog with a dog handler begins when the dog is about 1 year old. Until then, the puppy lives in a foster family, where basic socialization takes place. “The puppy is shown the urban environment, public transport and social life,” says dog handler Zaiga Kļaviņa.

Therefore, becoming a foster family for a future service dog is also an important way to provide help.

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This year, we can help in two ways with donations:

Cash donations

Specialized food donations:

MERA pure sensitive dog Lamm & Rise

MERA pure sensitive dog Truthahn & Kartofel

MERA pure sensitive dog Lachs & Rise

Vetexpert Hypoallergenic Ultra

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Purpose of the concert

Many of the “Ačkups” dancers are doctors or healthcare professionals in their daily lives, so helping and caring for others is our shared value. With this charity concert, we want to not only promote an inclusive society, but also emphasize that culture and social responsibility go hand in hand.

At the concert, our friends from Riga – TDA “Ačkups” studija, VPDK “Ačkups”, DA “Austris”, TDA “Dancis”, TDA “Gatve” and TDA “Vektors”, as well as friends from Jelgava and Jaunolaine – TDA “Kalve” and DA “Kalējs”.

The funds raised from ticket sales, as well as funds donated during the concert, will be directed to the service dog association “Teodors”.

Participation in the concert is an opportunity to do good together!