Hi Terry,
 
I wanted to let you know how much Thunder has meant coming into our family.  He has given Steven a renewed reason to live and something to work toward for many years to come.  Our plans with Thunder are enumerable, but in every case, it means good things for those young and old.  Of course the first and foremost will be his service to Steven, and so far his companionship has relieved a great deal of anxiety for me as well.  We were so pleased when we had his first real haircut done recently.  Now we can see his exquisite body and we get many ohhs and ahhs from the neighborhood on walks.  And, the groomers adored him so much the whole place had something to throw in about his great nature and how well he did for them throughout the whole procedure.  He was so well liked, the front desk lady kept him sitting with her until we arrived!  And he's a real lover.  He licks and kisses and loves to play, especially run get and bring back the ball.  When he grows into his adult body, his beauty, intelligence, and delivery of service will be awe inspiring!  Thank you so much again for bringing these wonderful dogs into so many lives.  We love you for it.
 

Deborah Schwartz
Steven's wife

Terry and Toni, Before the update, please accept our thanks for your professionalism and kindness. Milano is a delight; his upbringing shows. Milano is now Barney. We tried out half a dozen names and that one stuck. (If you're fans of How I Met Your Mother you'll know his namesake.) Barney made it home without incident and was introduced to Coco by our neighbor. Coco is not yet a fan; he's snapped several times so they are both being carefully watched. We have three stairs from our back door to the yard. On his first approach, he struggled to get his round little belly up. Since then he's learned to hop up the stairs like a bunny. Super cute. You were right, Terry, about him being a quick study. He's also learned how to get out and in the house. He's peeing and pooping outside. Just one pee in the house. (at 8 weeks-old!) Barney follows Mary-Claire around the house although we've limited his access to just a few rooms. He slept with her last night and did well. He went out twice and took to his crate (almost) immediately. We'll transition to crate/pen/pad in several days. We'll keep our eyes on your website for the next puppy class. You'll see us there!

Best, Joan , Fort Collins, CO.

"Bosco" aka "Benjamine" from
Breeze and Pepe's April, 2011 litter

Hi Terry, Just thought we would send you a picture or two and a little update. Everything is going great, Bosco is adjusting well for only being with us two and a half weeks. We plan to take lots of photos of him with a real camera but for now here is a couple pictures of him we took with our iPhones. We take him pretty much everywhere we go he is such a well-rounded friendly pup! Thank you so much for bringing him up in such a great environment and giving us the guidance to continue that.
Thanks again Terry! :-)

Catie, Denver, CO

To anyone looking to purchase a dog or puppy from Powder Valley Poodles: I have bred, trained, and owned Standard Poodles for over 25 years. They are in the top tier of canine intelligence, capable of learning an average of 250 words/commands-object names (versus the average canine's 150 word capacity); they are extremely eager to master skills, very sensitive to their owner's/handler's needs; as a retrieving breed--they naturally deliver items to hand. They are one of the least allergenic canines and they can be groomed to accommodate virtually any climate. They are naturals for working as Service /Assistant /Therapy /Mobility and Companion Dogs!

Terry Jester and the team at Powder Valley Poodles have not only created the ideal environment for raising the best potential Service and Therapy Dogs, but they have also established the groundwork for producing the healthiest dogs with the best natural temperaments for this work. I suffered a brain/spine infection which has left me disabled. One very important factor in choosing a good Service Dog is HEALTH. Powder Valley Poodles only breeds thoroughly health tested Sires & Dams, in addition to their great AKC lineage. While health is important, it also takes a very special dog to perform this type of work and the combination of Terry's dedication and love of Standard Poodles along with her many years of experience as a behaviorist has resulted in an environment of socialization, learning and performance unlike any I have seen or experienced! My 11 week old Standard Poodle arrived at our home, already housebroken and following almost all of the five basic commands (sit, down, stay, come and heel~~heel is a work in progress)....and he wasn't one of Terry's "started puppies"--had little formal training..WOW, I never was able to get my puppies that much on track at such a young age!

For the past year I have done vast amounts of research, talked and corresponded with breeders, disabled owners of Service Dogs, dog trainers and group forums for disabled users of Service Dogs from all across the country. In the end, my final decision was to seek one of Terry Jester's Standard Poodles and consider myself very fortunate to be able to say that she picked the exact perfect poodle for my needs. That's what she does, she matches the right dog for the tasks and the people, and she is the perfect matchmaker! In only two weeks, the progress that my dog and I have already made makes me confident that he and I will always be happy together and that he will be the very best Service Dog possible for me!

KUDOS TO TERRY, TONI AND THE ENTIRE POWDER VALLEY POODLES FOLKS!

Steve Schwartz
Acquired Brain Injury Survivor
Decatur, Alabama

HI Terry, Just wanted to let you know how much we are loving Maggie! She was one-year-old on the 30th! Mary is having a party for her next week with her friends and their dogs. Maggie is so smart and brings such joy to us all.

Thanks, Lori and family, Broomfield, CO

Hi Terry, I wanted to send you a recent picture of Dixie (pup from Breeze and PePe). She will be a year old on April 30th. She is AWESOME!!!! She is beautiful, healthy and very, very smart. We now have to spell things out that we don’t want her to understand, since she now understands English. J We spoil her terribly and she is getting ready to go on many camping trips in the summer. She also know lots of tricks and has been the star of her training classes.

Thanks again for a wonderful pup,
Lisa and Dixie

Hi Terry, here is a quick update on Ebony, now officially Bella. We are able to read her clues when she needs to have a BM, and so most of those have been outside, and most of the time we get her outside to 'do her other business'. The last two nights we have played with her especially just before bed, and then our teen takes her to snuggle in bed while she does her homework, takes her out once more, then we put her in her pen, where she goes into her kennel and doesn't make a peep all night. We have left the kennel door open so she can use the pad, which she does a couple times a night, then goes back to sleep. I am thinking I will keep this up until she is able to hold it all night. We are excited that she can kind of fetch already, loves to contentedly chew on her bone, or sit on our lap, and a favorite activity is to chase and bat a ping pong ball around on our hardwood floor like a cat would play. She has gotten used to being quiet when I take her in the car in her travel container (when I am in the car by myself). And all the neighbor kids love her! SO, all the training is going well. Thanks for raising such an easy to live with puppy! Blessings, Lori and Paul, Loveland, CO

Hi Terry,

Just a note to let you know Riley (AKA "Bart") has really settled in. He weighed 4.6 lbs on Tuesday and the vet said he is a great dog. He is bounding around the house and he loves running after leaves blowing in the back yard. He is such a sweet baby. We adore him and his big brother is starting to play with him, the first few days he ignored him with a "send him back" attitude. Take care and thanks for our sweetie.

Suzi, Aurora, CO

Terry and Toni,

Just an update on "Trifle". After family urging, we changed her name slightly to Truffles (my favorite candy!). She is so sweet. She is very well-behaved. She has had two, count them--two, accidents of the potty kind since LAST SATURDAY!! It is amazing she is so disciplined for such a tiny baby. We are SO appreciative of your great puppy training. She is a wiggly, kissin', tail-waggin' little ball of love. At first she was wary of leaving the living room/dining area. Now she ventures slowly and cautiously into the kitchen and bedroom. She's getting braver. We play together a lot and she loves running from us and then turning to chase us. Her VERY FAVORITE thing to do is the limbo under the dining room chairs and table bottom rungs--back and forth, back and forth. It is like a labyrinth in there and she scoots in to escape the large, bothersome humans trying to pick her up--and, I might say, it is very effective. She likes to chase Sparky, our cat, and is totally bummed when Sparky jumps onto something out of her reach. She barks her displeasure at that tactic. Ain't fair play. Her favorite toy, and we bought many, is Sparky's old rubber ball! Last night she slept THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! She sleeps on our bed between us (as you suggested) in a soft-sided carrier with her cute, pink receiving blanket you gave her. We really haven't had any problems with her going to bed. She cries when her bladder is full and as soon as she returns to bed, she goes to sleep. We love her a mighty, big lot! I'm so glad I found your name on the internet!!! I take pictures constantly, so I'll keep sending updates.

Marlene and Brian Loveland, CO

Dear Terry and Toni,

Zorro and I want to thank you again for your match-making and kindness. We are very happy with our new found friendship. Zorro is a wonderful, sentient being  --  he's SO smart, affectionate, cooperative, AND mischievous!
Thank you again!

Love, Anne and Zorro (aka "Amos"), Fort Collins, Colorado

Boo is doing great last night he slept all through the night :-), yesterday I took him outside and the neighbors’ rottie barked at us instead of ducking his head or backing up he put his head up and walked toward the noise, he also walks on leash like you have already trained him to walk on the leash, have you been practicing that? He is a cutie, the first weekend in April we take our first road trip, a dog show in NE then on to KS to visit my new grandsons, then on April 16 his first trip to the dog trainers. Thanks Terry, Boo is really a sweetheart.

Brad, Peggy and the Boys

The family that adopted Arrow is from Russia.
They bought Arrow for their son's birthday.
What a great birthday present!

Hi Terry,

First of all congratulations on Annie and Pixie puppies. They look so cute. I am sure they will be as wonderful as Arrow. Arrow doing great. He learned how to go up and down the stairs pretty quick. His
potty training going well also, he does not have much accidents and actually goes to the door when he is ready to go. The only thing that we still working on, biting us when he plays. But he is getting better with that also. He have grown so much, we can see the different already. Everyone loves him so much, we are so happy that we found you!!!!!
Attaching couple of Arrow pictures.

Take care, Liliya

Kodi says "Yar, Matey!"

Terry and Toni:

Attached are a couple of pictures of Kodi in his Halloween outfit. Believe it or not he actually likes the outfit and the attention he gets. Maybe with this costume his daddy can get candy!
We have thoroughly enjoyed Kodi. He is as much of a character as you indicated. Very physical and yet a true lover. The entire neighborhood receives his attention when we go for a walk. He certainly doesn’t want to deny anyone the opportunity to recognize his “magnificence” and show proper affection.
Take care and thanks for the wonderful addition to our family you provided.

Helen, Kelly and Kodi

Hi Terry,

Just thought I'd let you know that Piper (from the December litter) is doing great!  She is super well behaved, and thus far has only managed to destroy one pair of shoes, which isn't too bad in a family with three kids who leave shoes out all the time!! 
She makes us laugh!  She has such strong hunting instincts in such a little dog and loves the water!  We can keep her out of the pool, sprinkler, stream, rain puddles.....
Her obedience training is going well although I don't think she will ever be quite as flashy as the herding dogs I've had.  She is much, much braver then the sheltie or belgian and that is worth more then a few points in the obedience ring!!! 
We took her on her first airplane/ camping trip last weekend and she could not possibly have been any better!  I was a little worried we were throwing too much at her all at once (airplane, camping, a rodeo, and a HUGE thunderstorm) but she played happily, greeted everyone, or lay quietly in her little bag--she even when to a restaurant and slept quietly in her bag under the table.   
Oh she did end up with some brindle on her face and lower legs and she also has some white on her back but neither are really very noticeable.

We are enjoying her very much! 
Lindsey

Hi Terry and Toni,
 
Well, we have had our little Dixie Doodle now for almost 3 weeks.  She is AWESOME!  She has been sleeping through the night from day 3 and wakes with the alarm clock on week days and sleeps in on the  week-ends.  She can sit, shake and high-five.  She is extremely well-behaved and listens very well.  You were right on the money with her personality: she is VERY confident and independent, but not stubborn.  She is taking to training very easily.  She loves the outdoors and water!  Once again, you socialized her very well because she loves EVERYONE.  She has gone to Wal-mart, the orthodontics office, the library, to play tennis, 4th of July party, music lessons,  etc......She is always with us and is not scared of a thing.  My kids play the sax, flute, piano and guitar; nothing scares her.     She just adapts to everything we present her with.   Housetraining is still going great.  She understands our command to go outside and 9 times out of 10 she goes.  Everyone wants to know where I got such a GREAT dog.  We will be taking her on a camping trip in August.  I'll let you know of her next adventures.
 
Thank you so much,
Lisa and Dixie

Hey Terry and Toni,

Here's a better update on Dixie.  She is currently sleeping in her bed on my desk next to my computer.  We just came back from our 1st walk with a harness and leash.  Unbelievable!  She loved it!  I called, "Dixie, Come" and then I'd give her a treat.  She has already been to the library and met people there.  She is so well behaved and loves everyone.  She just met the kids down the street, also.  I always carry her, until she gets the rest of her shots.  But, she has had two play dates with Tootsie, who is also a little black poodle across the street.  She is very well behaved, very healthy and very well taken care of.  They play in our backyard.  It's too cute.  She has used the bathroom outside, except for two times on the puppy pad, but never on the floor.  It's amazing.  She is eating well, drinking and taking LOTS of naps.  She is never bothered by any loud noises i.e. coffee pot, airplane, garage door; it's amazing.  You must have done such a wonderful job exposing her to stuff.  The first night she went right to sleep in her kennel next to my bed.  I got up twice to take her outside and she went back to sleep immediately.  Last night, she began to cry, so I sleep on the couch with the kennel next to me.  She went, right to sleep shortly, woke up once to go outside and then back to sleep in the kennel.  She did whimper once in the night, but I put my fingers in the kennel and that was it. So, I think she has done GREAT.  She loves the kids a lot.  She cuddles on them to take naps.  We also put her in her play pen with her kennel and she goes in there and takes her nap.  This afternoon, she will be going to the tennis courts to watch the kids hit a few balls and then to the library again.  I'm sure it will be nap time after that. 

It's obvious you're a breeder that has outstanding dogs and goes the extra mile for an easy transition to their owners.  I will send more pics of Dixie and tell you of her adventures.

Thanks,
Lisa

Terry and Toni,

Hope you're not getting tired of the updates. :)  Dixie's great.  Night before last she sleep through the night without messing in her kennel.  Last night she got up once and then went back to bed.  She has never had an accident.  I believe she came potty trained.  Today she is learning how to sit.  She's an awesome dog.  Jesse, my 10 yo is sewing her a quilted blanket.  Here is a picture from this morning.  She loves the outdoors, but is always looking for the shade.  She knows her name already and the command to make her business.  She is sharp as a whip.  I didn't get to meet PePe, but she reminds me of Breeze, who we really loved. 

Enjoying our little Dixie,

Lisa

Thought you might like to see a current picture of my Teddy at 5 months old. My Teddy is still just as sweet as he was when I brought him to my home. He will not let me out of his sight. He loves people and animals. He sleeps with me and usually falls asleep in my arms.
Connie

Just figured out my phone can send pictures! That makes it easier. We call her "Coco" (and Coco Beans, Coco Puff, you get the picture:) She is doing great! Loves all of us, keeps Pickles the Bichon in shape, loves to go places, ride in the car. Gardening is her favorite thing. I can't imagine how we got by without her. The kids are at a perfect age and she's blended easily into our lives. She's not getting away with much
though corrections are gentle as can be since a small distraction is all that is needed and it's like "what is it I was doing? oh well, can't remember," (it was an entire second ago). She's a delight, we love her! Thank you! Hope Pixie and Breezie and the bull dogs and pups are well. I'm grateful we found you and Coco!!
Sincerely,
Jill and family, Centennial, Colorado

I am very proud to be the owner of a 2008 Rocky Mountain Rawhide Toy Poodle puppy, distinctive red in color. I named him "Rufus" (he was, "Little Red"). Along with being just so cute, he has a wonderful disposition and personality. He is a special joy because he has been eager and ready to learn as evidenced by his being housebroken at four-months of age. He came to me highly socialized and in love with everyone he meets -- animal or human.
Dorothy, Fort Collins, Colorado

Hi, Terry and Toni:
Olive is doing well. She still loves laps and snuggling but she is also full puppy.  She likes to play and have fun and then poops out on someone’s lap.  She is doing well with my daughter’s dog and all the family members she met so quickly as a result of the Easter holiday coming up so fast after we got her.  We take her outside several times a day so she can go but she still has some accidents in the house.  She has several toys but still loves the snowman that you sent home with her – she sleeps with it.  She is cute, healthy, bigger, and a delight for us. I am at my desk right now and I have a bed for her “ON” my desk.  She loves it and is sleeping in it right now – a little worn out because she just had a bath.
I hope you are doing well,
Mike

Blitzen at 4 weeks old

Hi Terry,
How are you?  I just wanted to write you and let you know how Blitzen (Buzz) is doing.  He is doing great.  He has figured out our doggy door.  Yesterday and today he went out on his own to go to the bathroom.  He loves the snow.  Today he was running, jumping, and eating the snow.  He loves to be outside.  He is sleeping through the night.  We did figure out really fast he does not like blankets or anything covering his head.  The burrow bed that we bought him he lays on top of it, rather then inside of it.  We changed his bed in his crate.  He uses his burrow bed to lay on when he is not in his crate.  He is getting along great with the other dogs.  He loves the boys.  He follows me around all over.  When I am cooking or in the kitchen doing something.  He is either right under my feet or lying on the rug in front of the sink.  He is eating good.  He is eating 3 times a day.  He poops about 4 times a day.  He is going outside to do that.  As we speak he is right under my chair eating a bone.  He is learning quickly.  Everyone loves to watch him play. 
Have any of your other babies joined their new homes yet?  If they are anything like buzz they will have a blast.  I hope all is well with you.   Don't worry about your baby.  He is doing good.  We love him lots already.  I will write you soon to let you know what else he is doing.  He is doing something new everyday.  Talk to you soon.
Tiffany

Dancer (now Tyler) at 4 weeks old

Hi Terry and Toni,
 
Tyler is doing great, he has been with us for a month now and he has made himself right at home.  He loves playing with the Cavalier, they have a good time playing wrestlemania and catch that cavy by the tail.  He was at my vet last week and he weights in at 5 lbs.  My vet thinks he is a very nice poodle with a good disposition, very curious but not scared and shaking.
 
The housetraining is going great and he usually makes it outside to take care of business.  He is a very sweet boy and loves to snuggle on the couch when I am knitting or watching TV. 
 
I am so happy I found you and have the privilege of loving one of your dogs.  I know I have not made a mistake and we are very happy with this puppy.  Keep up the good breeding so others can have healthy happy puppies.
 
Thanks again,
Trudy, Brighton, Colorado

I'm sorry it's been so long to write.

My name is Bronwen and I bought my perfect little Bella from you'all a little over a year ago. You used to call her Tinkerbell.

She is the best companion I ever could have imagined after I lost my beloved Mr. Crackers. Bella fits right in to my life style, it's amazing.

My Mom in the nursing home with brain cancer waits patiently ever day for Bella to come lie down in her bed and be her comfort, she is an exceptional dog. She doesn't mind the grandkids noise, and her best friend is my 12 lb calico cat who plays all day with her, but would never hurt her.

Some day I'll figure out how to down load pictures off the camera or phone and I'll send them to you.

I have a couple of retiring friends that are interested in buying a pup from you. I told them your web site and that to look at Breeze and Pepe's new ones, but there are more colors and sizes, but everyone likes Bella’s size. She's 4 lbs.

Thanx, Bronwen, Boston, Mass.