About Us

The Foundation strives to empower kids to believe in themselves and their dreams. Our goals include creating and distributing innovative multi-media educational material that builds self-esteem, creates opportunities for learning and growth in the areas of literacy and wellness. All print and multimedia educational materials that we produce support child empowerment theory, enhancing children’s ability to solve their own problems and to realize that the real magic lies within us all. This is achieved through support for the:

· research and evaluation of existing multi-media educational resources on the topics of problem-solving and self-esteem building in young children available in the home or classroom;

· design and production of various kinds of educational materials ranging from picture books, print Braille books and reading books to curriculum guides, audio programs, and video/television programming;

· development and production of new educational media forms including Web, Internet technology, online gaming, interactive toys and other evolving media forms;

· distribution of no or very low cost children’s education materials designed to empower children and developed for various programs that work with disadvantaged children including: shelters for homeless children, head start programs, schools, pre-schools and other facilities serving disadvantaged children;

Founder:

Rainey (aka Lorraine Friedman, JD) founded the DreamDog Foundation over ten years ago and is an author, children’s rights attorney, award winning songwriter/producer and storyteller who empowers children to overcome personal and social problems through self–esteem building, imagination and love. As a popular T.V. and radio guest and speaker, she inspires parents and children to grow together. Drawing on her experience as an advocate for homeless and disabled children and their parents, Rainey created Jazz the DreamDog® and the DreamDog Kids to help children discover the superhero inside and believe that the real magic to solve problems lies within oneself. Rainey recently created The Adventures of CiCi & Ace, an unique multi-sensory product combining a storybook, music CD, Web fun & games that is distributed exclusively by The Children’s Place in more than 700 stores in the United States and Canada. With more than 125,000 books in print the CiCi & Ace titles include Ferris Wheel Fun – A Magic Ride, School is Cool! and The Greatest Gift. All three CiCi & Ace adventure books are iParenting Media Award Winners.

Rainey is the author of “Monsters in Your Bed…Monsters in Your Head” and the songwriter/composer/producer/performer in the award winning “I Believe in Me” music CD of original Sing Along Songs. She has also authored “Jerome’s Jam” and created its companion music CD “More Love,”: an iParenting Media Award Winner for music audio. To enhance the DreamDog experience, Rainey has created original songs to expand on the values and fun of each picture book. And, to ensure that all children can experience the DreamDog magic, all her books are produced in print Braille for visually impaired children and their parents. Rainey’s upcoming book and CD Shine – A Prayer for Children Everywhere will inspire young and old through words, beautiful images and music. In addition, her publisher has agreed that a portion of all profits from the books will be donated to organizations that support children in need.

Rainey sees the stories of Jazz the DreamDog® and the DreamDog Kids as a chance to continue her life’s work of helping children to learn, achieve and become the “best” they can be. She is inspired by Jazz, a once homeless golden retriever and dachshund mix, who always helps a difficult situation with a loving look, knowing nuzzle and welcoming wag. Rainey is currently raising two children, working on more DreamDog picture books and planning her first live action and animated music video – “Jazz the DreamDog®: I Believe in Me!”

After graduating from Georgetown University Law Center, Rainey started her life-long commitment of advocacy for children with The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. There, she represented the educational rights of homeless children, lobbying Congress and litigating. Recruited as the Director of Protection and Advocacy for People with Developmental Disabilities, Rainey switched from the national scene to local issues, handling a caseload of up to fifty children with special needs. Within her legal career, she became their chief litigator representing children with disabilities in dozens of federal court cases and hundreds of administrative due process hearings, helping them fight for and obtain needed educational and social services. Rainey first discovered Jazz’s magically powers when she inspired an autistic child to speak his first words. This led Rainey to embark on her quest to have Jazz the DreamDog inspire millions of children and parents to find their own magic spark within themselves. Rainey and her husband, Douglas, and two young sons, Jared and Cameron, live with Jazz the DreamDog® in Alexandria, Virginia.