United Disabilities Services (UDS) will host its fourth annual golf tournament on Friday, Aug. 18, at Crossgates Golf Club, 1 Crossland Pass, Millersville. The event will be held from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and its proceeds will be used to support UDS' service dog programs throughout the county.

Golfers may participate in teams of up to four players, and competitors will have an opportunity to win prizes through a variety of contests. Challenges will include a hole-in-one contest, longest drive competition and putting competition. The event will also feature a silent auction and multiple prize drawings. Registration will be accepted until Monday, Aug. 7. To register for the event or to become a sponsor, visit https://tinyurl.com/udsgolf23.

UDS started the tradition of hosting an annual golf outing in 2020 after exploring various options for fundraisers. The organization had hosted a 5K race at HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, for a few years and regularly held bingo fundraisers, but it was experiencing challenges with meeting its programs' financial needs. In 2019, Lori Breece, UDS service dogs manager, suggested hosting a golf outing annually; the event has been supported by the community ever since. "We had great feedback from the first year," Breece said. "It turned out this is something we could really build and grow on."

This year, UDS' goal is to raise $50,000. The proceeds from the golf outing make up the largest portion of the organization's yearly fundraising efforts, although UDS remains active in the community through frequent small-scale events. In recent years, UDS has partnered with local businesses and restaurants to hold events that directly support its programs.

UDS primarily assists those with mobility issues and disabilities by providing them with a service dog. UDS raises and trains its service dogs to complete tasks such as opening and closing doors, turning off lights, retrieving medication and helping someone get dressed in the morning.

Each dog is trained in one of three specialties: facility dogs, service dogs and companion dogs. Facility dogs are prepared for settings such as schools, therapists' offices and child advocacy centers, where they provide emotional support and de-escalate outbursts. Service dogs are assigned to individuals, and they are trained to assist with tasks that include helping their owners recover from a fall. Companion dogs are most similar to pets; they keep their owners company at home and are often trained to assist with everyday tasks.

In recent years, UDS has continued to grow as it has experienced a higher demand for its canine helpers. In 2017, UDS encountered a wave of applications from schools across the county seeking facility dogs. "We would love to see a facility dog in every school," said Breece. "They're changing the landscape of education and supporting students who have struggled in the past."

For more information, visit https://udservices.org.