Business Today
Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce member enterprise news log
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Dedicated to raising and training service dogs to assist individuals with disabilities, the Charlottesville-based nonprofit organization, Service Dogs of Virginia, Inc. celebrated the graduation of four teams on Sunday, December 4. Under the direction of Peggy Law, founder of Service Dogs of Virginia, Inc., dogs are highly trained to assist disabled individuals with over 50 behaviors such as opening doors, pushing buttons and drawers, paying for items in stores and retrieving a phone. With the placement of four dogs at the graduation ceremony, Service Dogs of Virginia, Inc. plans to begin training for 10 puppies during 2006 to better respond to the overwhelming demand for these dogs.
Having trained the dogs from puppies, Peggy states, "It is always hard to see the dogs go, but I know they will be in loving homes, and it makes it easier to know they are going to help these individuals gain greater independence."
Monday, December 12, 2005
The Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects has recognized VMDO Architects with the 2005 "Test of Time" Award for their 1980 addition to Scottsville Elementary School. The honor acknowledges the lasting value of good architectural design.
The Central Virginia AIA committee responsible for the firm's and Scottsville Elementary's nomination noted VMDO's "cutting-edge revision of the school's 1970's-era open classroom plan, which tripled the school's size and reinforced the preferred team teaching approach." The committee also cited "the red, rounded library/media center that remains the school's heart even after a more recent [2005] addition." The design had previously won a VSAIA Honor Award in 1984.
VMDO was also recently awarded a CVAIA Honor Award for its design of Canal Basin Square in Scottsville.
Located on Scottsville's Main Street, Canal Basin Square celebrates the town's history and relationship with the river. Designed by Charlottesville Landscape Architect Nancy Takahashi in association with VMDO, the interpretive park features exhibits that span the period from the early river batteaux of the pre-colonial period to the days of packet boats and freighters on the Kanawha Canal.
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