The Service Dog Connection
The Service Dog Connection
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  • Breeding Program
  • Adding New Program Dogs
  • More
    • Home
    • Service Dogs
      • Our Service Dog Program
      • Current Dogs in Training
      • Placed Service Dogs
      • FAQ
    • Puppy Raisers
    • Board & Train
    • Adoptable Dogs
    • Therapy Dogs
    • Breeding Program
    • Adding New Program Dogs
  • Home
  • Service Dogs
    • Our Service Dog Program
    • Current Dogs in Training
    • Placed Service Dogs
    • FAQ
  • Puppy Raisers
  • Board & Train
  • Adoptable Dogs
  • Therapy Dogs
  • Breeding Program
  • Adding New Program Dogs
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Customized service dogs for the individualized need

Customized service dogs for the individualized needCustomized service dogs for the individualized needCustomized service dogs for the individualized need

Located in Atascadero, CA

Customized service dogs for the individualized need

Customized service dogs for the individualized needCustomized service dogs for the individualized needCustomized service dogs for the individualized need

Located in Atascadero, CA

RECENT NEWS

Grit & Gem are headed to Patriot Service Dogs in Ocalla, Florida

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 will go on to such an amazing program and one day help Veterans regain their independence!


You can follow along on their training journey by following Patriot Service Dogs on Instagram: @patriotservicedogs

Bitsy IS PREGNANT! - Labrador litter expected end of february 2023

Bitsy is our lovely resident English Labrador service dog in training.  She is spunky and very driven to work.  She has had PennHip, OFA Elbows, Eyes and Cardiac testing as well as a full genetic panel.  She was bred with Toby, a mellow 90lb health tested AKC yellow Labrador on December 26th at Subzero Canine Reproduction in Temecula, CA.  Toby is 3/4 English Labrador and 1/4 American Labrador.  The pregnancy was confirmed via ultrasound on January 25th.  


As with all of our litters, these puppies will be raised with early neuro-stim and puppy culture, and some will be available for adoption.


At 7 weeks old, they will be given the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test by a local trainer to determine which puppies are best suited for service dog work, therapy dog work, or pet homes.  Our program will keep 2-3 of the service dog candidates, and the rest of the pups will be available to service and therapy programs, individuals wanting to train their own service or therapy dog, and those just wanting awesome pets. 

Louise delivered 9 healthy Golden newfie puppies on November 28th!

It took 22 hours of labor, but all 9 of Louise's puppies have arrived safely.  Louise is an AKC Newfoundland and the sire is an AKC Red Golden named Doc.  Doc is owned by Pam Berry of 4 Love of Goldens.  We bred this combo specifically for larger size and temperament for use as mobility and psychiatric service dogs.  These puppies will be raised with early neuro-stim and puppy culture.  


At 7 weeks old, they will be given the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test by a local trainer to determine which puppies are best suited for service dog work, therapy dog work, or pet homes.  Our program will keep 2-3 of the service dog candidates, and the rest of the pups will be available to service and therapy programs, individuals wanting to train their own service or therapy dog, and those just wanting awesome pets. 

guide dogs of america sent us three amazing service dog puppies!

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.

OUR TEAM

Kelly Sosa

Founder, Trainer, Executive Director

Kelly is a positive reinforcement service dog trainer with 18 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 families with affordable service dogs and is constantly trying to brainstorm new ways to help clients become successful service dog teams.  

Natalie Craig

Service Dog Trainer

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 and has since joined our staff team. She assists with training and daily activities at The Service Dog Connection. 

The STAFF DOGS

Princess Mango

Princess Mango

Princess Mango

Louise

Princess Mango

Princess Mango

Guillermo

Princess Mango

Guillermo

Kahlua

Princess Mango

Guillermo

Contact Us!

Email: theservicedogconnectionprogram@gmail.com


 Find us on Instagram: theservicedogconnection


Like us on Facebook: The Service Dog Connection

CURRENT FUNDRAISERS

Support our Emergency Vet Bills Fund

Help SaraRose fundraise for a Psychiatric & Mobility Assistance Service Dog

Help SaraRose fundraise for a Psychiatric & Mobility Assistance Service Dog

https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-vet-fund-for-the-service-dog-connection?qid=328fbabacabdf7b7419d8f7b6c501ab9


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.

Help SaraRose fundraise for a Psychiatric & Mobility Assistance Service Dog

Help SaraRose fundraise for a Psychiatric & Mobility Assistance Service Dog

Help SaraRose fundraise for a Psychiatric & Mobility Assistance Service Dog

 https://gofund.me/5e77a684 


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.

Help Kristen Bernard Get a Service Dog

Help SaraRose fundraise for a Psychiatric & Mobility Assistance Service Dog

Help Kristen Bernard Get a Service Dog

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-to-get-kristen-bernard-fdny-a-service-dog?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet


Kristen is raising money for a seizure response service dog.  She has supported our program for years as a puppy raiser for other service dogs in training while waiting to get her own service dog.  Kristen has been matched with Elaine, a spunky labradoodle.  Elaine will be getting placed with Kristen in mid March, 2023.

Help Anya Bershatsky Get a Service Dog

Help Ilana fundraise for Blanco the Psychiatric Service Dog

Help Kristen Bernard Get a Service Dog

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.

Help Elise de Groot through her battle with Cancer

Help Ilana fundraise for Blanco the Psychiatric Service Dog

Help Ilana fundraise for Blanco the Psychiatric Service Dog

https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpELiseamdherservicedogBEATCANCER?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

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!

Help Ilana fundraise for Blanco the Psychiatric Service Dog

Help Ilana fundraise for Blanco the Psychiatric Service Dog

Help Ilana fundraise for Blanco the Psychiatric Service Dog

https://gofund.me/a0ebca08


Ilana has been matched with our program golden retriever, Blanco, but needs help fundraising for the final payment on him.  He is being specially task trained to assist in her anxiety and will live in Tampa, Florida with her attending college.  


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