The post Record-Breaking Year of Growth and Impact – A Look Back at Fiscal Year 2023-24 appeared first on Dogs For Better Lives.
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August 12, 2024
Fiscal Year 2022-23 Recap
FY 2023-24 has been a remarkable year at Dogs for Better Lives, filled with significant achievements and inspiring moments. We’ve continued to expand our programs, deepen our impact, and strengthen our commitment to our Assistance Dogs and the individuals they support.
One of the most notable accomplishments this year was the growth of our breeding program. We welcomed two new breeder dogs, bringing our total to five. These dogs, carefully selected for their health and temperament, are crucial to our mission, helping us bring the next generation of Service Dogs into the world. We celebrated a record-breaking 40 puppies born into our programs, the highest in DBL history. The growth of this program will enable us to meet the needs of the individuals on our wait list and position ourselves to meet the high demand for Assistance Dogs in the coming years.
Our placement rate reached an impressive 63%, the highest ever for DBL. While this number can fluctuate based on many factors, we are proud to of this year’s success which is significantly higher than the industry standard of 50%. This milestone is a testament to the quality of the dogs we bring into our programs and the effectiveness of our training and placement process.
Additionally, our two new programs have made significant strides. The From Shelter to Service program saw its first two graduates placed, with seven more dogs in training at the year’s end. The Prison Puppy Raising Program celebrated the graduation of its first six puppies, with the first placement occurring in late June.
We now have 152 active teams in 32 states. Our lifetime commitment to our dogs means that we’re regularly following up with our clients, ensuring ongoing support and strengthening the bonds between our clients and their Assistance Dogs.
None of this would have been possible without the inspiring support of our donors, volunteers, and staff. From our Puppy Raisers and Breeder Caretakers to our Board Members, Regional Advisory Board Members and more, we are deeply grateful for the time, effort, and passion everyone has contributed to our mission.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey. We look forward to building on these successes and continuing to transform lives through the power of Service Dogs.
Check out our infographic that highlights a few of our key milestones and successes from the past fiscal year.
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Hearing Dog Program Requirements
About Our Dogs
We select dogs from area shelters based on temperament and age, not size, sex, or appearance. All of our Dogs receive extensive program work and obedience training. Hearing Dogs are trained to alert to sounds by making physical contact then leading you to the sound. Additionally, many of our Hearing Dogs are certified for public access.
Our standards and criteria for determining whether or not a dog is suitable for access to public places are very high. Only dogs that can ignore other dogs, handle being exposed to busy, noisy and crowded environments as well as comfortable with all types of people are appropriate to be in public.
When we match a dog with a client, we look at a variety of factors: the needs of the client both for work at home and in public, lifestyle and energy level and the confidence the dog has in new environments and situations. Dogs are matched with individuals based on the temperament of the dog and the lifestyle, personality, activity level, health, and environment of the person. We do not place dogs based on personal preference.
Home Environment
There can be no other dogs in the household with a Hearing Dog with the possible exception of a retired Dogs for Better Lives Hearing Dog. If you have other pets and are not willing to re-home them, your application may be denied due to the difficulties of having a professionally trained dog work around those types of distractions.
We typically require a fenced area attached to the home.
It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.
Financial Commitment
The cost of feeding and caring for one of our professionally trained dogs could be over $1,500 per year. This includes but is not limited to food, toys, vet care, etc. This does not include any unforeseen illness or injury. The client is financially responsible for the dog’s care once the dog is placed with the person.
Personal Skills
A client must be at least 18 years old, willing and able to physically, mentally, and emotionally care for the dog without assistance.
The Hearing Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.
Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.
Before applying, please carefully consider the following points.
Our professionally trained dogs require:
• A minimum of one full year of training with you as a team
• Your total commitment and willingness to work with them daily
• Your ability to schedule practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Your patience and positive attitude
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Taking sole responsibility for the care of the dog so that the dog will bond with you
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with you
• Attending an obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer
Autism Assistance Dog Program Requirements
Home Environment
There can be no other dogs in the household with an Autism Assistance Dog. If you have other pets and are not willing to re-home them, your application may be denied due to the difficulties of having a professionally trained dog work around those types of distractions.
We require a fenced area attached to the home.
It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.
Financial Commitment
The cost of feeding and caring for one of our professionally trained dogs could be over $1,500 per year. This includes but is not limited to food, toys, vet care, etc. This does not include any unforeseen illness or injury. The client is financially responsible for the dog’s care once the dog is placed with the child.
Personal Skills
To qualify for our Autism Program, the child on the autism spectrum cannot be diagnosed with any other disabilities. To provide the best support for our clients, our dogs are trained for one specific skill set and not, for example, dually trained as Hearing Dogs. Please call for more information and clarification.
The Autism Assistance Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.
Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.
Before you begin the application process, it is important that you read this information:
• We require a fenced area attached to the home
• Due to the difficulties of having a dog work around distractions, Autism Assistance Dogs must be the only dog in the home
• Autism Assistance Dogs are only placed with clients between 4-8 years old
• You will be required to attend obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer
Our professionally trained dogs require:
• Minimum of one full year of training as a team
• Total commitment and willingness to work with your dog daily
• The ability to place practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Stopping whatever you are doing to work with your dog when he/she is confused or does not work properly
• Being patient and positive with your dog
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with the child
Facility Dog Program Requirements
About Our Dogs
All of our Dogs receive extensive program work and obedience training. Facility Dogs can provide a calming effect, allowing the professional to better serve or treat their clients. These dogs do not have public access except when accompanying the professionals and their clients in order to provide assistance to the clients.
Our standards and criteria for determining whether or not a dog is suitable for access to public places are very high. Only dogs that can ignore other dogs, handle being exposed to busy, noisy and crowded environments as well as comfortable with all types of people are appropriate to be in public.
When we match a Dog with a client, we look at a variety of factors: the needs of the client both for work at home and in public, lifestyle and energy level and the confidence the dog has in new environments and situations.
Home Environment
If you have a pet dog in your home, the following must be true about him/her:
- Is at least three years of age
- Is housetrained
- Has been taught a few basic commands
- Gets along well with other dogs
- Is spayed/neutered
- Is up to date on vaccines and flea/tick prevention
- Has no history of aggression to humans or other dogs
- Is an indoor dog
We typically require a fenced area attached to the home.
It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.
Financial Commitment
The cost of feeding and caring for one of our professionally trained dogs could be over $1,500 per year. This includes but is not limited to food, toys, vet care, etc. This does not include any unforeseen illness or injury. The client is financially responsible for the dog’s care once the dog is placed with the person.
Personal Skills
A Facility Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.
Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.
Before applying, please carefully consider the following points. Our professionally trained dogs require:
• Minimum of one full year year of training together as a team
• Total commitment and willingness to work with your dog daily
• The ability to place practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Stopping whatever you are doing to work with your dog when he/she is confused or does not work properly
• Being patient and positive with your dog
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Taking sole responsibility for the care of the dog so that the dog will bond with you
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with you
• A fenced area attached to the home
• Professionals or volunteers working with people with vulnerable populations and people with disabilities for a minimum of 20 hours/week
• Obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer
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