The Service Dog Connection
The Service Dog Connection
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  • More
    • Home
    • Sessions/Board & Train
    • Service Dogs
      • Our Service Dog Program
      • Current Dogs in Training
      • Placed Service Dogs
      • FAQ
    • Puppy Raisers
    • Breeding Program
    • Community Connection
    • Adoptable Dogs
    • Therapy Dogs
  • Home
  • Sessions/Board & Train
  • Service Dogs
    • Our Service Dog Program
    • Current Dogs in Training
    • Placed Service Dogs
    • FAQ
  • Puppy Raisers
  • Breeding Program
  • Community Connection
  • Adoptable Dogs
  • Therapy 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

ROAD TRIP TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PROGRAMS & SERVICE DOG TRAINERS

 Our goal for this year is to connect with as many other service dog programs and trainers across the country to help everyone network, learn from each other, share puppies and breeding lines, and know who to refer clients to when they aren’t a fit for what our programs do. We will be going on several large road trips in the next few months to connect in-person with other programs in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.


We would love to connect with your program, learn more about what you do, meet up for a dog training outing, volunteer for a day, or really whatever you are open to. Send us an email if interested!

Louise & Founder Kelly became First Responder Therapy Dogs' 100th certified therapy dog team

 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.

Bitsy gave birth to Seven labrador puppies on February 21, 2023

Bitsy is a 2yr old AKC English Labrador in our service dog program.  She has an exceptional temperament and her favorite task is alerting to medical issues.  She has completed PennHip and genetic testing so far and will complete OFA Elbows, Eyes & Cardiac testing December 2022.  Bitsy was bred to a 90-pound yellow Labrador named Toby.  Toby also completed all necessary health testing.  


This litter of 7 lab puppies was born February 21, 2023.  This litter will be raised with early neurological stimulation, puppy culture, early exposure, and will be temperament tested at 7 weeks of age. to determine who is best suited as a service dog, therapy dog, or pet.  Our program will keep a few of the service dog prospects, and the rest of the puppies will become available for adoption to the public. 

Gabby headed to the National Institute of Canine Services & Training in Concord, CAlifornia

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 & Gem headed to Patriot Service Dogs in Ocala, 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 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

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 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 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 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 DeGroot

Volunteer Coordinator

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.

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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