KSDS
WASHINGTON — KSDS Assistance Dogs, Inc. is proud to announce the graduation of Teresa McComb and her facility dog, Buster, a gentle and easy-going black Labrador Retriever. Buster has officially joined the staff at Logan Manor in Logan, where McComb serves as the administrator.
With his calm demeanor and affectionate personality, Buster has already become a beloved member of the Logan Manor family. Trained as a facility dog through KSDS’s rigorous, 1,000+ hour certification program, Buster will accompany McComb to work each day, greeting residents and lifting spirits with every wag of his tail.
“I waited 10 years for the right facility dog,” McComb shared. “I even tried raising my own puppy for the job, but he was too high energy. Buster is different—he's mellow, patient, and reminds me every day to slow down and enjoy the moment. The trainers at KSDS are truly the best—so encouraging and kind.”
Logan, a close-knit farming community where neighbors support one another, has recently completed the LIFE Center, an intergenerational hub connecting Logan Manor residents with local pre-K to 4th grade students. Buster will play a unique role in this program, visiting with both children and elderly residents as a source of comfort and joy.
“Many of our residents had dogs at home before coming here. Buster fills a void in their hearts,” McComb said. “He’s not just part of our staff—he’s part of our family.”
Buster was lovingly raised by volunteer puppy raiser Lynn Bagby of Adrian, Missouri, who helped prepare him for his future as a facility dog. “Deep down, early on, I had a feeling that Buster was meant for something special. Not flashy or bold, but deeply connected to people's hearts,” said Bagby. “He was always so attuned to emotions, quietly grounding me or my students when we needed a moment to catch our breath or reset. He didn't need words. Just his presence was enough.”
Thanks to the incredible network of KSDS volunteers and trainers, facility dogs like Buster are expertly trained to offer emotional support and professional enhancement at no cost to recipients—aside from a small application fee.
KSDS Assistance Dogs, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has placed over 650 assistance dog teams in 37 states since its founding in 1990. As the first organization in the U.S. to offer both guide and service dog programs under one roof, KSDS has been an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) since 2003 and continues to lead the way in setting industry standards.
From the nursing home halls to the hearts of Logan residents, Buster is already proving to be a bright spot in everyone’s day.
For more information about KSDS Assistance Dogs, Inc., or to learn how to support their life-changing mission, visit www.ksds.org.