Support NSD today and make a forever impact on those in need of a life-changing partnership.
Our Programs
622
Dogs Placed
39,384
Lives Empowered
335,468
Annual Volunteer Hours
Our Process
Step 1: Breeding Program
Access to healthy, temperamentally-sound puppies that will have a long working career as service dogs starts with breeding. This program is the heart of our dog development. NSD standards ensure we accept the best breeders who are held to high health and temperament requirements.
Step 2: Volunteer Raisers
Our puppies are confidently sent from NSD’s Breeding Program to our amazing Volunteer Raiser Programs. Here, our Puppy Raisers and Adult Raisers provide them with care, training, house manners, socialization, and exposure to new people, places, and experiences.
Step 3: Behavioural Assessments
Evaluating an NSD puppy’s reactions to its environment is important for creating a plan for its future. At this stage, the dogs are assessed for their responses to interactions with people and various stimuli such as physical contact, noises, and objects.
Step 4: Customized Skills Training
Dogs who are deemed suitable are admitted to a full-time training program with NSD trainers, Monday through Friday. Here, they are trained and evaluated to see what program they are best suited for: Autism, PTSD, CAI, Skilled Companion, or VIP.
Step 5: Placement
The tireless efforts of our staff, and volunteers allow our dogs in training to succeed, with social workers and mental health professionals present to ensure our process stays people-centric. After about 2 years of training and assessment, our NSD graduates are successfully partnered with a client.
Dogs in Training
NeoLife means “New Life”. This Labrador Retriever was named by her currently puppy raiser, who she is now with. She is being taught essential cues and house manners that will enable her to adapt to any social situation with ease and confidence.
All of the training and care provided to each dog would not be possible without the support of generous volunteers and donors.
Meet Our Service DogsGet Involved
Donate
At NSD, we do not receive any government funding to support our mission. Instead, we rely entirely on the generous support of individual donors, community partners, corporate sponsors, service clubs, and through annual fundraising events.
Help us empower people to achieve their full potential. Show your support and donate today.
Volunteer
NSD would not exist without the tireless efforts of our dedicated volunteers. Their commitment to our mission and the individuals we serve is truly inspiring, and we are honoured to have them as part of our family.
If you are interested in joining our outstanding team of volunteers, we encourage you to submit an application.
Stay Informed
July 29, 2024
NSD is grateful for the ongoing support of the Cambridge Bingo & Gaming Centre and Charitable Gaming: Community Good. When you play, local charities win. Your support helps NSD keep our service dogs…
June 27, 2024
Monday, June 27 is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day and National Service Dogs has been helping and supporting those diagnosed with PTSD – from first responders to veterans and…
May 13, 2024
CBC & CTV Stories: Last week our University Learners went on one last field trip to St Jacob’s Market with the NSD Team! Over the next 2 weeks 10 Service…
Mark Your Calendars
Oct 27, 2024
11:15 am - 1:30 pm
Join us as we celebrate the end of our 2024 Paws in Motion event with a Halloween-themed group walk! Costumes…
Sep 14, 2024
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Each dog will have a chance to create a big splash in a 20’ x 40’ heated saltwater pool with…
Aug 25, 2024
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Would you summit Canada’s highest mountain to provide aid for our military veterans? We are not asking you to actually…