SERVICE DOGS OF VIRGINIA

  • Black service dog with a red vest sitting on the grass outside a busy restaurant patio filled with people dining.

    It costs about $40,000 to raise, train, and place a service dog. Thanks to generous donors, Service Dogs of Virginia provides them at no cost to those in need.

    DONATE
  • A tan Labrador Retriever wearing a harness and collar, looking directly at the camera against a dark background.

    A soldier’s healing began with SDV Spirit.

    Read Their Story
  • A black dog with its tongue out giving a high five to a person's hand outdoors.

    Become a Monthly Donor — Join Our Paw Partner Program

    BECOME A PAW PARTNER

Our Mission:

To raise and train exceptional dogs and match them with individuals with disabilities to create greater independence.

A woman in a George Mason University Alumni shirt smiling and looking at a black Labrador Retriever wearing a red vest and purple harness, with their faces close together, outside on a porch.

Start Your Journey Toward a Life-Changing Service or Facility Dog.

A woman wearing glasses and scrubs holding a black puppy with a pink collar outside a building.

Join the Pack! volunteer with us and help change lives.

A service dog, a yellow Labrador, lying on the floor in an indoor gym or training area, wearing a red vest with a service dog patch that reads 'Service Dog of Virginia.'

Help us train more life-changing service dogs—support our work today.

Hear directly from the people whose lives have been transformed by Service Dogs of Virginia. Their stories show how our service dogs bring independence, confidence, and hope—making a lasting difference every day.

Click here to see more testimonials and videos ›

Real stories, real impact

ABOUT SDV

Labrador Retriever service dog lying on concrete sidewalk, wearing a red vest with a service dog patch, outdoors on sunny day with trees and building in background.

WHO WE ARE

A man in a wheelchair and sunglasses talking to a guide dog wearing a red vest sitting on the sidewalk in front of a brick building.

Service Dogs of Virginia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Charlottesville, providing expertly trained service dogs to individuals across Virginia.

It costs about $40,000 and two years to raise and train each dog. Thanks to generous donors, we offer these dogs at no cost to those in need.

Learn More

WHO WE Serve

Service Dogs of Virginia trains and places dogs for children and adults with disabilities—at no cost to our clients.

Our dogs support individuals with a wide range of needs, including children with autism (ages 2–10), adults with autism (18+), active-duty military, veterans, and 1st responders with PTSD, medical conditions, and mobility challenges. They also serve as facility dogs, working alongside professionals in schools, hospitals, and therapeutic settings.

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