2. Flip a light switch.
Open a door.
Pick up a phone.
Hear your doorbell.
Imagine if you couldn’t…
3. Now imagine…
having a best friend
by your side to help
you, every minute of
every day.
4. Our mission
We train assistance dogs
for children, adults and veterans with disabilities
to enhance their independence.
5. Nationwide Presence
• 6 regional training centers
– Ohio – New York – Texas – Florida – Oceanside, California – Santa
Rosa, California
• Graduates, puppy raisers and volunteers in every state
• Over 2,000 active graduates
• 3000 + volunteers nationwide
6. North Central Presence
• Region covers 14
states
• Six volunteer
chapters & groups
• 426 active graduate
teams
• Approximately 300
volunteers
7. Four types of Assistance Dogs
Service Dogs – assist adults with
physical disabilities by performing
tasks
Facility Dogs – work with a
professional in a visitation,
education or healthcare setting
Hearing Dogs - alert those who are
deaf or hard of hearing to important
sounds
Skilled Companion Dogs – enhance
independence for children and adults
with physical, cognitive or
development disabilities
10. Raise a dog, change a life
Volunteer Puppy Raisers:
• Teach basic obedience and
good manners
• Attend puppy classes
• Provide socialization
opportunities
There are over 130 volunteer puppy
raisers in the North Central Region
11. Canine Training
• Six to nine months
at a regional
training center
• Professional
instructors
• Over 40 commands
Help is a four-legged word™
12. One Team, Two Heroes
Team Training
• Dogs + People
• Two-week Team Training
• Joyous graduation
ceremony
• Individualized follow-up
