Since 1975, Canine Companions has provided more than 8,400 service dogs, free of charge, to adults, children and veterans with disabilities. Service dogs are bred to be calm, reliable and affectionate, and assist their partner in completing simple daily tasks at home. The dogs can also serve as a social bridge to the public.

Not only does this type of assistance make the physical life of a child with a disability easier, but it can boost their overall confidence and independence.

Canine Companions' service dogs are trained in more than 45 skills. They can pick up items, open doors and drawers, provide calming pressure across a child's lap or body, assist with developing independent living skills, be integrated into structured therapies, help facilitate social interactions, make the recipient’s physical life easier, and boost confidence, self-sufficiency and responsibility

In addition to service dogs, Canine Companions is proud to provide medical alert dogs to individuals experiencing life-threatening blood sugar fluctuations due to insulin-dependent diabetes. These life-changing partnerships are made possible thanks to our organization merging with Early Alert Canines. 

Training & Matching Service Dogs

Children aged five or older can be placed with service dogs with the support of a facilitator. The facilitator is typically a parent or caregiver who handles and cares for the service dog, encourages a strong bond between the client and the service dog, and is responsible for the customized training needs of the dog.

Each Canine Companions service dog spends the first year-and-a-half with a volunteer puppy raiser who teaches the puppy basic commands and socializes them in public and private settings. Then, the puppy will enter professional training at a Canine Companions regional training center for six to nine months, where he or she will learn advanced skills. Once a dog has completed professional training, he or she is ready to be matched with a person. Matching takes place at one of our regional training centers during a two-week group class. During the class participants learn to manage the service dog’s behavior, direct the dog to respond to cues it has learned and to assume responsibility for maintaining the health and well-being of the dog.

Learn More & Apply

Visit the Canine Companions' webpage to learn more about the process of applying for a service or medical alert dog, or to find a Canine Companions training location near you.