Picard went on to tell attendees that while the pandemic presented many obstacles to organizing, the training and placement of service dogs continued on schedule. He thanked the supporters who had stepped up their financial efforts and the volunteers, many of whom were home owners, who had brought puppies and service dogs home for long periods of time.

Picard congratulated his wife and ECAD co-founder, Lu Picard, for the work she and her instructors did to prepare the dogs for placement despite the tough times.

The graduating teams are: Julia Munro and Service Dog Collins, Watertown, MA; Olivia Gilbert and service dog Otis, Wethersfield, Connecticut; Kevin McGovern and Kincaide service dog, Kittery, ME; and Stephanie Pokras and service dog Maizie, Potomac, MD.

Settlement dog Sophia, who works with three handlers at RVNAhealth in New Milford, and settlement dog Scrunchie, who joined staff at Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke, Fla., Also graduated.

Local Democrats Seeking Candidates

Democrats in the Northwest Corner recently formed a search committee to seek out and interview candidates for the 2022 30th District State Senate race as well as the 2022 Litchfield Hills Probate District race. Patricia Oris, who is chair of the Democratic Town of Kent committee, is chair of that committee and lawyer William Riiska of Salisbury is vice-chair. New Milford Democratic City Committee Chair Mary Jane Lundgren will act as secretary.

Other committee members include Brookfield Democratic City Committee Chair Laura Orban, Cornwall Democratic City Committee Chair Richard Wolkowitz, Winsted Democratic Town Committee Vice Chair Nick Teeling, Deputy Litchfield Democratic Town Committee Chairman Joe Manes and Torrington Democratic Town Committee Member Travis Tanuis.

The committee will meet periodically before the nominating conventions next May. Anyone interested in running for one of these offices is requested to contact Patricia Oris at [email protected]

NCCC offers seminar on taxation for small businesses

WINSTED – Northwestern Connecticut Community College will offer “Taxation for Small Business” through an online seminar from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on July 20. The program will be led by Dr Kris Roberts, Managing Partner of the Roberts Tax Group in Torrington, CT. The seminar is free but registration is compulsory.

Starting a small business can start with a great idea, but good ideas can quickly turn sour if business owners aren’t prepared for the various taxes associated with running their business. “Taxation for Small Business” invites current business owners and those planning to start a business to learn about the various taxes associated with small businesses. The 90-minute session will include a discussion of income taxes, self-employment, property, and flow-through entities, as well as the different types of organizational structures such as C corporations, S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and DBAs, and how these different legal structures can influence a company’s taxes.

Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/taxation-for-small-business-tickets-160853861229. For more information, contact Laura McCarthy at [email protected]

Pastor of Torrington accepts donation for church

TORRINGTON – Pastor Immanuel Ihemedu of Saint John Paul The Great Torrington Parish has accepted a donation of $ 1,000. gift from the president of the Société Saint-Jean-Paul The Great Holy Name, Michael Yuchunas.

The Society is a branch of a worldwide brotherhood of the Catholic Church which reveres the holy name of Jesus Christ. In addition to regular religious practice, the Society supports many community and ecclesial causes through financial and voluntary actions.