Serving Canines & Humans alike
1 Veteran- 1 Dog at a time
Founder’s Message
Founder’s Message The RRUFF Dog Park in Rocklin celebrated its five- year anniversary December 23, 2016. We are fortunate to have this great natural environment in Johnson-Springview Park. With that greatness comes the responsibility to help preserve the heritage oak trees and at the same time provide our four-legged companions a fun, safe place to run and play off-leash.
RRUFF would not be a good neighbor if we did not respect these magnificent trees that provide us much-needed shade and enhance the beauty of the park. Because of that commitment, we are limited in the type of ground cover suitable for the area.
The ground cover used is all natural cedar chips – playground quality. It is free of any harmful chemicals and is 100% organic. And we are the only local dog park that is open 365 days a year regardless of the weather (i.e. no flooding)
Of equal importance, the RRUFF Healing Heroes Program is in its third year providing scholarships for service dog training to disabled American Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other invisible disabilities. In addition to scholarships, we fund on-site service dog training for Veterans enrolled at American River College.
It’s important for you to understand that we rely solely on membership dues, donations, and in-kind services to fund scholarships and enhance and add amenities to the dog park. We do not have paid staff and all the work is performed by volunteers and members of our Board of Directors.
Accomplishments
Completed ADA accessible concrete pathways. 2014
The City of Rocklin donated and installed a shade structure for the large dog area. 2014
Cordell Firestone -Boy Scout Troop #1- completed his Eagle Scout Project by building the awesome K-9 agility equipment for both large and small dog areas.2014
The Special Needs Area project for Disabled American Veterans was completed March 2014. We raised over $25,000 for this project.
Wade Osborn – Boy Scout Troop #435 – completed his Eagle Scout Project to assemble and install a two- sided bulletin board for park users. 2015
Cedar playground ground cover donated by Applied Landscape Materials and City of Rocklin – both large and small dog areas completed. 2015/2016 with refresh bark installed 2-3 times per year as needed.
The RRUFF Healing Heroes Program was launched in 2014 – providing scholarships to disabled veterans for service dog training. 15 scholarship have been awarded through 2016
- On Dec 2, 2016 Funding was provided for service dog training to 10 veterans currently enrolled at American River College. Graduation is scheduled for May 2017.
- A second class at American River College is scheduled for Fall
Guide Dogs for the Blind & Canine Companions for Independence are beginning their 3rd year holding puppy training classes on a regular basis in the Special Needs Area.
Service Dog Training classes are held in the Special Needs Area with Terry Sandhoff, Master Trainer, 4Paws2Freedom.
- RRUFF was nominated for the 5th year in a row in the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in the Best Non-Profit/From the Heart Category
- RRUFF received the 2015 Placer SPCA Hero Award for the Healing Heroes Program
- RRUFF was nominated for the 4th year in the KCRA A List for Best Local Charity.