Rescued Program

05/28/2026

Group 48 – Positive Reinforcement Training – Week 4

Some days in the Rescued Program are loud breakthroughs.

Sometimes progress is quieter.

Dogs choosing to check in.
Softer leashes.
Calmer bodies.
Better timing from handlers.

Those moments matter too.

Safety. Calm. Trust.
~ Mr. Long
Safe Dog Project
believe the dog

05/27/2026

Group 48 - Grooming with Ms. Valerie - Week 4

05/24/2026

On Memorial Day let us remember our military veterans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. May we never forget that freedom isn't free. 🇺🇸❤️🐾

05/22/2026

Today, the students got to observe behavior modification with reactive dogs.

When we change the way we breathe, move, and speak, the dogs feel it too.

And when the feeling changes, the behavior can change.

The better we get at understanding behavior and meeting needs, the less interested we become in obedience.

calm changes things.

believe the dog.

Mr. Long
Safe Dog Project
believe the dog.

05/21/2026

Group 48 - Grooming with Ms. Valerie - Week 3

05/18/2026

Funeral services for Fr. Wise

Please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Father Richard Wise, of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, who passed away earlier this week.
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Ordained in 1974, Father Wise served the Church faithfully for 52 years, offering more than five decades of priestly ministry marked by compassion, humility, and joy.
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Before his ordination, he spent 11 years as a Religious brother in the Society of the Precious Blood, giving him more than 60 years of total consecrated service to the Lord. His ministry brought him into every corner of human experience—from parish life to prisons, from the poor and homeless to those struggling with addiction, from mountain communities to African‑American parishes near Atlanta. He had a gift for meeting people exactly where they were.
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Father Wise often said that two things sustained him: prayer and a sense of humor. He kept his eyes fixed on Jesus, even through illness and hardship, and he never lost the ability to laugh at himself. His joy was disarming, and his humility was genuine.
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One of the most beautiful parts of his life was his quiet decision to become a foster father to three young men from Ethiopia whose lives were in danger. With the permission of his archbishops, he welcomed them, supported them, and helped them flourish. All three went on to graduate from St. Pius X High School and Xavier University, each earning graduate degrees. He never sought praise for this—he simply believed it was what God asked of him.
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He served in many parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Atlanta, including Snellville, Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Decatur, and Blairsville. In every assignment, he embraced the spirituality of the community and made it his own.
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Father Wise once said, “God doesn’t choose the perfect; He chooses the weakest so His glory can shine through.”
That humility shaped his entire priesthood.
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His Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, May 29, at 10:00 am at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
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May Christ the High Priest welcome him into eternal life, and may perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.
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Important Dates
Wednesday May 27th. 9am to 11am
Viewing at St. Francis Catholic Church, Blairsville.
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Thursday May 28th, 6.30pm-7.30pm
Rite of Reception by Bishop Bernard SE. Shlesinger III at The Cathedral of Christ the King and viewing.⁣

Friday, May 29th 10am
Funeral Mass with Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer as the main celebrant at Cathedral of Christ the King Livestream from the Cathedrals Webpage will be available:
https://cathedralctk.com/livestream/⁣

Friday May 29th
Burial at Arlington Cemetery⁣

05/14/2026

Group 48 – Integrity Class with Officer Carter

Balancing Life…

“Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them — work, family, health, friends and spirit — and you’re keeping all of these in the air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back.

But the other four balls — family, health, friends and spirit — are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same.

You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.” ~ Brian Dyson

05/14/2026

Group 48 - Positive Reinforcement Training - Week 2

Beautiful day at the RESCUED Program today.

We welcomed three new handlers into class for their first session, and I was proud of the way the guys showed up for both the dogs and each other. They did a really good job.

We spent part of the class working on calm, quiet movement in and out of crates and doors. In the small room, dogs practiced staying settled while other dogs moved nearby, and we rewarded calm choices instead of barking and getting worked up.

A lot of today, out in the sunshine, was about helping the dogs learn that paying attention to their handler is safe, rewarding, and worthwhile — without constant talking, correcting, or pressure. We rewarded the dogs for choosing on their own to check in, walk together, and stay connected voluntarily.

At the end of class, each dog got individual off-leash time to simply do what they wanted to do. Some ran full speed almost the entire time. Some stayed close to their handler. Others sniffed, explored, rolled in the grass, or just sat quietly in the sun. Some chose on their own to come back and check in with their person over and over again without ever being called. Some even chose to walk right beside their handler the same way we had practiced in class — calm, connected, and loose, even without a leash on.

It was really nice seeing their personalities come out once they had the freedom to relax and make choices for themselves.

~ Mr. Long
Believe the Dog

05/13/2026

Group 48 - Grooming with Ms. Valerie - Week 2