BETTER DOG
Bred for purpose
Pedigree White English Labradors and English Cream Golden Retrievers, selected for temperament, health, and working aptitude — the foundation of every successful placement.
A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT
Changing lives,
one paw at a time.
We place specially-trained service and therapy dogs — White English Labradors and English Cream Golden Retrievers — with veterans, children, and families who need them most.
120+dogs placed
14states served
100%donor-funded
OUR MISSION
Better Dog. Better Body. Better You.
Our framework for raising service dogs that change lives — for both ends of the leash.
BETTER BODY
Trained for service
18 months of structured training across mobility, medical alert, autism support, and PTSD work — finished by certified trainers.
BETTER YOU
Matched for life
Every placement is a partnership. We support recipients for the full working life of the dog — and beyond.
YOUR DONATION AT WORK
It costs $45,000 to raise, train, and place one service dog.
We place every service dog at no cost to the recipient family. That’s only possible because of donors like you.
$501 week of food & supplies
$2501 month of veterinary care
$1,200Specialized training equipment
$2,5001 month of advanced training
OUR PROCESS
From whelping box to working partner.
Eighteen months of structured training. Certified trainers. Lifetime support.
01
Born & raised
Puppies whelped at our kennel from health-tested parents. Early neurological stimulation from week one.
02
Foundation
Months 2–6: socialization, manners, and exposure to 100+ environments. Puppy raisers in our network.
03
Specialty training
Months 7–18: certified trainers teach disability-specific tasks. Mobility, alert, PTSD, autism support.
04
Placement & support
Matched with the right recipient. Two-week handover, then lifetime follow-up support.
BEAR · #89
FEATURED PLACEMENT
The dog who became a Bearkatz.
Bear was placed with Melbourne High School in Melbourne, Arkansas as their on-campus therapy dog. He works the hallways, sits in on counselor sessions, and you’ll find him on the sidelines of every Bearkatz game in his #89 jersey.
Eighteen months of training. One careful match. A school whose halls got softer the day he arrived.
OUR TEAM
Meet our trainers.
Elizabeth S.
CCPDT-KA · KPA CTP
Sydney S.
CERTIFIED TRAINER
Lizzie W.
ATLAS CERTIFIED
Maryann P.
CERTIFIED TRAINER
Payeton L.
CERTIFIED TRAINER
C’aira S.
CERTIFIED TRAINER
Alex M.
CERTIFIED TRAINERGET INVOLVED
Three ways to change a life.
DONATE
Fund a placement
Every dollar goes directly to raising and training service dogs.
VOLUNTEER
Lend a Hand
Help with day-to-day care, events, and outreach at our facility. Every hour brings a dog closer to placement.
PARTNER
Corporate sponsor
Match a dog to a recipient through your company’s giving program.