From evaluation to working service dog — free of charge.
Not every dog is a rescue. Some dogs come from Ohio shelters, and some are donated by their owners. Every candidate must pass the same temperament, health, and training tests before being placed free of charge with a person with disabilities.
1. Find & evaluate
Dogs enter our program from two paths: Ohio animal shelters and owner donations. Shelters alert us to dogs that stand out — calm under pressure, food or toy motivated, curious about people, unbothered by noise and movement. Owners sometimes donate a personal dog they believe has the right temperament.
Candidates are temperament-tested and health-screened by professionals before any commitment is made. Not every dog is right for service work, and we are honest about that — dogs who aren't a fit are supported into loving pet homes.
2. Health & foundations
Every selected dog receives a full veterinary work-up, vaccinations, spay or neuter, and any care they were missing before training begins.
Then foundation obedience begins — house manners, leash skills, focus, and the calm confidence that public access work demands.
3. Professional training
Training is delivered by our professional trainer partner, Buckeye K9. Dogs learn task work tailored to the disability they will support — retrieving dropped items, opening doors, medication reminders, deep pressure therapy, interrupting anxiety and PTSD episodes, and bracing or mobility support. For personally donated dogs, this training is donated once the dog passes the program's tests.
Dogs are proofed in the real world: grocery stores, restaurants, medical offices, public transit, crowds, and elevators.
4. Matching & placement
We match on need, energy, home environment, and chemistry — the match matters as much as the training.
Recipients complete hands-on team training with their dog so the partnership works from day one. Placement is free of charge, and we stay in touch for the life of the working team.
What a service dog really costs
Nationally, a fully trained service dog costs between $20,000 and $50,000. Most programs pass some or all of that to the recipient, or ask them to fundraise it themselves. We don't.
Veterinary care, vaccinations, spay/neuter$800 – $1,500
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline. Each award is based on the person's needs, the dog available, and whether a suitable match can be made. Some recipients bring their own dog for evaluation; others are matched with a dog already in our program. Not every applicant or every dog is approved.
Application review
We review your situation, needs, and ability to care for a working dog. Not every application results in an award.
Dog identification
A dog may come from an Ohio shelter, an owner donation, or a dog already in our training pipeline.
Evaluation & acceptance
The dog is temperament-tested and health-screened. Some dogs are not accepted into the program.
Custom training
Training is tailored to the recipient's disability and the dog's strengths.
Matching & placement
When the timing, the dog, and the person align, we move to team training and placement.
Ongoing
Lifetime follow-up support for every working team.
Common questions
Your gift changes two lives.
Every donation helps fund professional service dog training and place a fully trained dog with a qualified recipient at no cost.
