Customized service dogs for the individualized need
Located in Atascadero, CA
Customized service dogs for the individualized need
Located in Atascadero, CA
Located in Atascadero, CA
Located in Atascadero, CA
International Hearing Dog Inc gave us a tour of their facility, had us participate in their puppy raiser meeting, and then gave us a demonstration on the task training of hearing assistance dogs. They are located in Henderson, CO and place fully trained service dogs with hearing impaired applicants.
Victory Service Dogs met with us and had us join three of their service dog owner training classes that help Veterans train their own service dogs in Colorado Springs, CO.
Canine Partners of the Rockies is a program placing fully trained mobility assistance dogs with Colorado Residents. We met up with them for a public training session. They are located in Aurora, CO.
We spent two days with Assistance Dogs of the West in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The first day we got a tour of their facility, meeting with staff trainers, volunteers and puppy raisers. We also got to join on their rail trail walk with their dogs. Day two we met up with their staff to do a joint training session with the dogs at the local mall.
Assistance Dogs of the West prides themselves on top quality fully trained assistance dogs using only positive reinforcement methods. They also assist local owners wanting to train their own service dogs. We look forward to working with them more in the future
As the service dog industry develops over time, new service dog programs and trainers are popping up all over the country, and older programs are diversifying their training models. Our goal is to visit with as many programs around the country as we can to figure out what each program does, how we can all help each other out by working together, and to create a database of information for the assistance of service dog clients, trainers and programs. This database would include both ADI Accredited programs and those that aren't accredited but produce quality service dogs and service dog training options.
We kicked off our Southern California road trip meeting with Next Step Service Dogs, Angel Paws Assistance Dogs & Canine Support Teams!
Next we are headed to Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Nevada.
We are going on a big road trip to connect with other service dog programs, and we will be offering one-on-one training sessions for people along the way! If you are in one of these cities, or along our driving route in between these locations and want to schedule a session, send us an email!
If you aren't able to meet up in person for training but still want help with your dog, we are also offering FaceTime and Google Meets virtual sessions.
All of our training is positive reinforcement based and customized to each dog and person's needs.
Elmo is a Golden Retriever from our breeding program. He was placed in April, 2023 as a psychiatric service dog in Ivoryton, Connecticut. Elmo has been task trained to respond to breathing changes, interrupt signs of anxiety and respond to panic attacks with deep pressure therapy.
Elaine is a chocolate Labradoodle that was being rehomed because she had too much energy for her first owner. We harnessed that energy into a job, and this dog thrived! She was placed in May, 2023 as a psychiatric and seizure response service dog in Rockville Centre, New York. Elaine has been trained to interrupt signs of anxiety, provide deep pressure therapy, block people from getting too close to her handler, and alert others if her handler is having a seizure.
Rickey & KC are two puppies from our recent Labrador litter that tested very well as service dog candidates. As a small program we are unable to keep all the service dog candidates from each litter, so we are happy to know that they went to such an amazing program and will one day help people in need. Topaz Assistance Dogs trains and places service dogs for Autism, Seizure Response, Diabetic Alert, and Mobility Assistance.
You can follow along on their training journey by following Topaz Assistance Dogs on Instagram: @topaz_assistance_dogs
First responders are there for us when we need them most, so we are excited to be there for them when the job gets extra stressful. First Responder Therapy Dogs is a 501(c)3 program with the goal of making therapy dogs accessible to all first responders nationwide.
Louise was their 100th certified First Responder Therapy Dog! She is available for free therapy dog visits to law enforcement and fire stations throughout SLO County. Email us if interested in scheduling a therapy dog visit.
Gabby is a puppy from our recent Golden Newfie litter that tested well as a service dog candidate. She is off to continue her service dog training with the National Institute of Canine Services and Training in their First Response K9 program. She will one day be a service dog for a First Responder in need.
NICST is a leader in the service dog community with several programs including Dogs4Diabetics, First Response K9, Detection Dogs, and Paws On A Mission prison program. You can follow along on Gabby's journey by finding them on Instagram @nicst_official
Grit and Gem are two puppies from our recent Golden Newfie litter that tested very well as service dog candidates. As a small program we are unable to keep all the service dog candidates from each litter, so we are happy to know that they went to such an amazing program and will one day help Veterans regain their independence!
You can follow along on their training journey by following Patriot Service Dogs on Instagram: @patriotservicedogs
Falcon, Florence & Finnegan have joined our training program from the lovely staff and breeding program at Guide Dogs of America Tender Loving Canines in Sylmar, CA. They have been given a wonderful start to life and we couldn't be happier to have them. They will be heading off to puppy raisers very soon to continue on their service dog training journey.
Kelly is a positive reinforcement service dog trainer with 19 years of experience. She grew up in Portland, Oregon obsessed with animals from a very young age, and was especially drawn to dogs. Kelly began raising and training service dogs for Autism Service Dogs of America in 2005 and then Healing Hounds Service Dogs in 2016.
In 2015 she received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Southern Oregon University. While living in Ashland for five years, Kelly worked closely with Jackson County Animal Services and their shelter dogs. Her involvement with them included fostering and evaluating shelter dogs, and teaching classes for the shelter volunteers on positive reinforcement training and reducing dog reactivity to make dogs more adoptable. She also spent four years working in mental health at a residential treatment facility for young adults, and managed a mental health crisis facility.
Kelly moved to San Luis Obispo, California and started Central Coast Dog Services in 2018, which later became The Service Dog Connection in 2021. Today Kelly works to provide custom service dogs to families and is constantly trying to brainstorm new ways to help clients become successful service dog teams.
Natalie grew up in Southern California and has always had a passion for all sorts of animals. In high school, she volunteered for four years at the Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding which was her first experience merging her love for animals with assisting disabled individuals. Natalie graduated from Cal Poly SLO in June of 2021 with a degree in pre-vet animal science. During her time at Cal Poly, she worked at a dog daycare and boarding facility, volunteered for The Marine Mammal Center and the Central Coast Aquarium, and played horse polo!
Natalie started out as a volunteer with us in 2020 and has since joined our staff team. She assists with training and daily activities at The Service Dog Connection. In her spare time, Natalie competes in dog sports with her service dog, Kahlua.
Elise started out with The Service Dog Connection in 2018 back when we had an owner training-program training hybrid program to get her service dog, Lucy. She has since dedicated her time to learning as much about service dog training, ADA laws, and service dog education.
Elise is our go-to puppy person for young service dogs needing early exposure and foundational puppy training. She regularly helps with group training outings and supporting our puppy raisers with training.
Email: theservicedogconnectionprogram@gmail.com
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Emergency Vet bills pop up randomly, and this fundraiser allows our program to cover these unexpected costs when they arise.
This funding has helped us cover treatment for things like ingested foreign objects, ringworm, hip and elbow dysplasia, and most recently the treatment of one of our service dogs in training that was in a house fire. Without your support, we couldn't do what we do for our dogs in the most stressful of times.
SaraRose has greatly benefitted from the support of her psychiatric service dog, Paisley. Unfortunately her disability needs have evolved to require tasks that her current service dog cannot perform, and Paisley has needed to retire from service work as well.
SaraRose and her family are on our wait list to be matched with a dog in 2023, but need your help with fundraising to make this happen. You can read more about SaraRose and her story living with chronic illness on her GoFundMe page.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-anya-get-a-service-dog?qid=86cdcb25800a8d10259fcecb88ceee25
Anya is raising money for a new service dog from us. The service dog in the photo is Maggie. Maggie supported Anya for two years, but was recently retired due to her own health issues. Now she needs to come up with the funds for a new service dog to support with medical alert, mobility, and more. A service dog will help get her independence back! Anya is also one of our volunteers that has raised service dogs for others with disabilities. Now it is time to give back to Anya the way she has for others already.
Elise has been an amazing part of our service dog community. She received a service dog from us over a year ago and has since been dedicated to supporting other service dog teams, and fostering other service dogs in training. They are a model team that has given back to this community immensely. Now it is our time to help give back to her!
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