Is your dog a hero?
Charity Partners
D.A.R.E.
Launched in 1983 by Los Angeles Chief OF Police Daryl Gates and the Los Angeles Unified School District, D.A.R.E. is today the world’s preeminent substance abuse prevention education program. D.A.R.E. is universally credited with introducing the topic of substance abuse prevention into the classroom and the home. Now taught in every state in America and delivered in 72% of our school districts, as well as 45 other nations, the program also pioneers prevention education in other fields that include internet safety, bullying prevention, cyber bulling prevention, prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse prevention, and gang involvement prevention. D.A.R.E. serves not only students in the classroom, but through its community education programs, the public at large. "Teaching students good decision-making skills to help them lead safe and healthy lives."
National Fire Dog Monument
www.nationalfiredogmonument.com
The National Fire Dog Monument (NFDM) was created to build the Certified Accelerant Detection K-9’s a bronze monument to acknowledge them for their service to the communities they serve. These dogs do not ask for anything in return after risking their lives to reduce the negative impact of arson in their communities. The monument design is a kneeling fire fighter next to a sitting Labrador Retriever and is titled “From Ashes to Answers”. The monument is inspired by Colorado's first Arson dog Erin, who recently lost the battle with cancer. NFDM created a website to introduce the K-9 program and educate others about the impact of arson in society. They are raising money to create a National Monument for the K-9’s that have and are currently working in all our communities to combat the crime of arson.
Fire K9.org
Fire K9.org is a non-profit that supports and promotes the use of professional independent canine accelerant detection teams on an international level. The organization is funded solely by member dues, sponsors, and donations. FireK9.org’s certified handlers and their canine partners –sometimes referred to as “arson dogs” – are located in the US, Canada and Europe. They assist fire departments, investigators, law enforcement agencies, and arson task forces engaged in the investigation and control of arson. FireK9.org also develops and hosts training and proficiency programs for our members to achieve greater competence. Members of Fire K9.org help combat crime and reduce the threat of arson by offering canine accelerant detection demonstrations and conducting arson awareness discussions, and fire prevention education programs in their home communities.
Canine Companions for Independence
Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, CCI is the largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs, and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. The result is a life full of increased independence and loving companionship.
Freedom Service Dogs
Freedom Service Dogs (FSD), founded in 1987 by Michael and PJ Roche, is a non-profit organization that rescues unwanted dogs from local animal shelters and trains them to be service dogs to assist deserving disabled veterans returning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. FSD has matched nearly 150 service dogs with disabled veterans with a 100% success rate placing dogs that do not become service dogs in adoptive homes. FSD uses positive reinforcement methods to train the rescued dog to meet the specific needs of each individual that it is paired with along with maintaining continuing support to make sure that the dog continues to meet each new needs as they come.
Paws & Effect
Paws & Effect is a non-profit that raises, trains and places service dogs for a variety of disabilities, including veterans and individuals with special needs. Paws & Effect also provides Pet Partners for animal assisted activities and animal assisted therapy and has several unique Pet Partner programs, including the Abilities Through Agility Program at ChildServe. This program integrates dog agility with physical, occupational, and speech therapy in a group environment. Paws & Effect run dog agility and rally obedience competitions as fund raisers for our programs.
Angel on a Leash
Angel on a Leash helps create therapy dog programs in health care facilities, schools, rehabilitation centers, and correctional facilities as well as other areas. To ensure that each facility’s needs are met, Angel on a Leash adapts each program to the facility. After programs are established, they maintain ongoing support to help alleviate any additional burden to administration and staff that often comes with volunteer programs. Using feedback from facilities and volunteers, Angel of a Leash continues to update screening guidelines and training procedures for facilities and volunteer teams.
Love On 4 Paws
Love On 4 Paws (LO4P) is an Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) organization dedicated to providing teams of therapy animals and handlers to needy children, adults and seniors in hospitals, schools, retirement homes, and rehabilitation and transitional care facilities. Our teams also participate in a variety of community outreach programs, educating the public about the benefits of AAT. Operating continuously since 1991, LO4P teams are known for their professional, reliable and disciplined manner. All members are active volunteers; all administrative and operational services are donated. We provide our teams with vests, uniforms, animal health screenings, TB testing, and instamatic cameras and film (for pictures given on visits as a memento), all at no charge to our volunteers. Our philosophy is to keep volunteer expenses at a minimum, allowing our teams to focus solely on providing quality visits as often as possible. With over 100 volunteer teams, LO4P offers its services 365 days a year, and completes over 25,000 visits annually. LO4P offers free assistance and guidance to other organizations and facilities throughout the country which may wish to implement their own AAT programs.
The Good Dog Foundation
The Good Dog Foundation has developed a program for volunteers and their dogs to become a Good Dog Team, certified to volunteer for animal assisted therapy in various programs, such as healthcare facilities, community programs for adults and children, and disaster relief. Following the September 11th attacks, The Good Dog Foundation developed a disaster response training program through its involvement at Ground Zero, providing therapy for families of victims, survivors, and workers at the World Trade Center. The Good Dog Foundation has also collaborated with researchers and healthcare professionals to research studies that document the effects of the human-animal bond on human healing and wellness. The Good Dog Foundation makes a concerted effort to educate and inform the public of the benefits and possibilities of animal assisted therapy. From events, such as educational appearances, community events, and therapy training classes to media, such as press coverage,and brochures, The Good Dog Foundation is working to get the message out.
United States War Dog Association
The United States War Dogs Association, Inc. is a nonprofit organization of Former and Current US Military Dog Handlers and supporting members committed to promoting the long history of the Military Service Dogs, establishing permanent War Dog Memorials, and educating the public about the invaluable service of these canines to our country. Objectives of the organization include raising funds to establish War Dog Memorials and help in the process of adopting retiring Military and Police Canines.
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
Since 1946, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. has provided guide dogs free of charge to blind people who seek enhanced mobility and independence.Our students come to us from all over the United States and many foreign countries. Our trademark small classes and individualized instruction often attract students who may have special requirements. We have successfully trained hearing-impaired blind people as well as many physically challenged people.We are supported entirely by donations from generous individuals, corporations and foundations. We receive no government funding.In 2009, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind became the first assistance dog school in the world to be certified by the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International. It is the only assistance dog school in the United States to receive dual accreditation by these two international bodies.
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Guide Dogs for the Blind provides enhanced mobility to qualified individuals through partnership with dogs whose unique skills are developed and nurtured by dedicated volunteers and a professional staff. Established in 1942, Guide Dogs for the Blind continues its dedication to quality student training services and extensive follow-up support for graduates. Our programs are made possible through the teamwork of staff, volunteers and generous donors. Services are provided to students from the United States and Canada at no cost to them.
American Rescue Dog Association
The American Rescue Dog Association (ARDA) is comprised of highly skilled volunteer search and rescue units across the United States that operate in conjunction with local law enforcement or other applicable emergency services agencies to assist in the location of missing persons. ARDA units provide specially trained dogs to locate missing persons in wilderness, disaster, human remains and water search and rescue/recovery missions. Units are available 24-hours a day to respond to requests for services from applicable local, state or federal responsible agencies.
National Association for Search and Rescue
The National Association for Search and Rescue, Inc., (NASAR) is a non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing professional, literary, and scientific knowledge in fields related to search and rescue, including search and rescue dogs. NASAR is comprised of thousands of paid and non-paid professionals interested in all aspects of search and rescue - the humanitarian cause of saving lives - throughout the United States and around the world. Response to persons in distress has long been an honorable, charitable tradition and the professionals in search and rescue have carried on this tradition of helping others by dedicating time, information, skills, equipment and funding to the relief of suffering. Our primary mission is to develop and provide professional training and certification programs for your search and rescue community.
National Search Dog Alliance
National Search Dog Alliance (NSDA) is a Search and Rescue Dog group started in March 2007 whose mission is to provide education, certifications and a voice in the future of search and rescue canines. The organization supports the efforts of all search and rescue personnel as they enhance their knowledge and capabilities in the field of search and rescue canines. The Alliance's aim is to become an exemplary group representing the interests of search and rescue dog handlers. The National Search Dog Alliance has confidence that it can provide quality education, pre-eminent certifications and an effective voice in the future of search and rescue canines.
Dogs for the Deaf
Dogs for the Deaf (DFD) was founded in 1977 by the late Roy G. Kabat, a long-time Hollywood and circus animal trainer who raised animals for motion pictures and television shows including "Dr. Doolittle" and "Born Free." His daughter, Robin Dickson, is his successor and the CEO/President of Dogs for the Deaf. Rescuing homeless dogs and professionally training them to enhance lives is what Dogs for the Deaf is all about. In over 33 years, Dogs for the Deaf has rescued and placed over 3,000 dogs in homes as Hearing Dogs, Miracle Mutts (Special Dogs for Special People), Harmony's Hounds (Dogs with Special Needs), and Career Change Dogs. DFD rescues dogs from animal shelters throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. We choose dogs that are people friendly, confident, and motivated by toys, treats, and affection. We rescue, train, and place 30-40 dogs annually. The dogs are trained with positive reinforcement and lots of love.
Pine Street Foundation (Canine Cancer Detection)
Founded in 1989, the Pine Street Foundation’s mission is to help people with cancer reach more informed treatment decisions through education and research. Our research program also supports and informs our education programs; by publishing the results of our work in reputable medical journals, we are able to make the results of our efforts widely available to other researches, practitioners, and patients. Pine Street Foundation's program includes ground-breaking research in Canine Scent Detection, where they have trained dogs to identify the smell of breast and lung cancer on patients' breath.
American Veterinary Medical Association
Founded in 1863, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is one of the largest and oldest not-for-profit associations for veterinarians in the world. Headquartered in Schaumburg, IL., with a satellite office in the heart of Washington, D.C., the AVMA represents more than 81,500 veterinarians who use their professional training in a variety of ways — from private practice to public health, agriculture, food safety, academia and the military. The mission of the Association is to improve animal and human health and advance the veterinary medical profession.
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is the charitable arm of the AVMA. For nearly 50 years AVMF has been dedicated to embracing and advancing the well-being and medical care of animals. Charitable contributions and support to the Foundation help veterinarians help animals. Initiatives include: Humane Outreach-Animal Welfare, Education and Public Awareness, Research Support, Student Enhancement, and Support of American Veterinary Medical Association and its Initiatives. In the last decade, AVMF has awarded grants totaling over $10,000,000. For more information, visit www.AVMF.org.