Clover, a truly magic dog!

Support the training of a future life-changing Service Dog

Recent Canadian statistics report that 1 in 66 children are diagnosed with Autism. Since 1996, National Service Dogs (NSD) has been training Labrador and Golden Retrievers to assist Autistic children and their families. It is our mission to empower people to achieve their full potential with strategically trained and certified service dogs, catalysts for restorative change. Our families can attest to the impact these dogs have. "NSD Clover has changed our life and the entire way Kyle functions in only 7 short months. So many new firsts experienced I can hardly keep track! The happiness, self-confidence, courage, social, language and communication strides she has helped Kyle make are truly immeasurable. He has EXPLODED in his development as of late. We are forever grateful for the compassion, empathy and guardianship NSD Clover loves and shares with Kyle. She is truly magic in a dog! We could not imagine living life without her. She is truly a beloved member of our family."

Background

National Service Dogs (NSD) was founded in 1996 as a response to the increasing need for effective interventions in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. In its inaugural year, NSD launched the world’s first Service Dog for Autism program, establishing an effective and customized resolution to alleviate the bolting behaviors, anxiety and resulting effects in children with autism. To date NSD has deployed over 550 dogs to Canadians in need and has continued to respond to the needs of an ever changing demographic of individuals living with an assortment of physical and developmental disorders. Since 2009 our companion dog program has placed dogs with children with various disabilities to support them within their homes. In 2011 NSD established Service Dogs for Canadian Military veterans and first responders with PTSD program. This distinguished program has been a catalyst in the treatment of Canadian veterans and has played a crucial role in the rehabilitation and recovery of individuals living with PTSD. In 2013, NSD launched our Canine Assisted Intervention (CAI) program which places Service Dogs with treatment professionals, working as therapy teams to aid in the recovery of abuse, trauma and physical injuries in children and adults. NSD’s Certified Service Dogs are valued at $40,000 over their eight to ten year working life; and each dog is provided free of charge to our clients. NSD receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations.

The good deed

Your donation today will provide food for Service Dogs in training at our facility in Cambridge, Ontario and in the foster care of our volunteers in the surrounding community. With your support we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of Autistic children and their families by providing them with strategically trained, life-changing Service Dogs, at no cost to them. Each future Service Dog begins training around 8 weeks old until they graduate in one of our four programs and are placed with our clients and families at two years old. We receive no government funding and rely entirely on donations from the general public, corporate sponsors, fundraising events, and community supporters. We couldn't do this work without your support to offset the costs associated with the training and development of a future life-changer.