Our Organization
Service Dogs of Virginia is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that raises, trains, and places dogs to assist people with disabilities and provides facility dogs for courthouses, counseling centers, schools, and other therapeutic settings.
SDV makes a commitment to provide ongoing training and support for each individual with which it places a dog. This ongoing relationship provides us the opportunity to observe each dog’s progress and to ensure it is being utilized to its maximum benefit.
Founded in 2000 by Executive Director Peggy Law, SDV has placed over 100 assistance and facility dogs in of the Commonwealth of Virginia without passing on the significant cost of training. The ultimate measure of success is when a person is able to return to work, attend school safely, use fewer personal care attendant hours, and find increased personal freedom, safety, independence, companionship, and happiness. The support we receive from individuals, foundations, businesses, and the community is critical to helping us realize our mission. SDV receives no support from the government and service dogs are not covered by medical insurance. The gift our dogs give is priceless. And the individuals who receive a dog are forever grateful.
Service Dogs of Virginia is fully accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). ADI is a worldwide coalition of not-for-profit programs that train and place Assistance Dogs. For more information about ADI, please visit https://assistancedogsinternational.org
How we acquire Dogs
The majority of the dogs we train and place are full-bred Labrador Retrievers (black and yellow). We have our own breeding program and through our accreditation by Assistance Dogs International, we participate in a North American breeding cooperative. Rarely, we take in shelter/rescue dogs or dogs donated by private individuals. These acquisitions are at the discretion of our Executive Director. We occasionally work with other breeds, or other assistance dog organizations, to obtain dogs under special circumstances. At this time, we do not train “non-SDV” dogs (such as pets) to become service dogs nor do we conduct private training classes at SDV.