Service Dogs
Service dogs are specially trained for families of children with autism and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Each dog is placed as part of a three-member team: the child, a parent or caregiver who lives with the child and serves as the primary handler, and the service dog.
ELIGIBILITY
Good Dog! service dogs are placed as part of a three-member team with families of children with autism and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including but not limited to Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Apraxia, and ADHD. Our dogs are specifically trained to perform tasks that help mitigate the challenges associated with these diagnoses.
We believe every family deserves to be considered individually. Just as each child is one-of-a-kind, so is every family's situation.
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Read our full client eligibility policy here.
COST OF A DOG
How much does it cost to change a life?
At Good Dog!, we’re committed to making life-changing service dogs accessible to families in need. It costs an average of $32,000 to raise, train, and care for each dog—including service dog handler education for families and lifelong support.
We offer two pathways to cover these costs:
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Fee-for-service: Families contribute $32,000 directly or through state funding.
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Fundraising: Families raise $26,000, with Good Dog! helping to secure the remaining amount through the Family Scholarship Fund. We offer personalized coaching and resources to support the fundraising journey.
Fundraising is never required; however, many families find that the love and support they receive through the process is a healing experience in itself.
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Note: Travel, lodging, and food expenses for the required five-day Team Training in Southern California are not included in the program cost.
OUR
TRAINING
We use only positive training methods for our dogs, no prong collars, collar corrections or fear or pain-based training of any kind. We use Bonnie Bergin's training methods and philosophies as taught at Bergin University of Canine Studies.
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We are proud to be an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), adhering to their rigorous standards for dog training, care, team placement, and ongoing support. Our commitment to excellence not only ensures the highest quality service dog partnerships—it also supports the long-term sustainability of our organization and our ability to serve future families.
Program Update
Our service dog application period is currently closed, and we don’t have a set reopening date.
Stay in the loop!
Join our interest list, and we’ll email you as soon as new opportunities open up.
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New to service dogs?
Join our free online Service Dog Infurmation Hour with Executive Director Laura Sylvester. You’ll learn how to decide if a service dog is right for your family, what to expect, and important considerations to guide your journey.