Help us Support Deserving Community Heroes
The FSDS is a 501(c)(3) organization and relies on tax deductible contributions to continue providing programs and services to individuals with disabilities. For those wounded in the line of duty, such as police officers and military, their disabilities live on long after the media attention and outpouring of public support. They continue to have needs. Equipment and service dogs must be replaced and these costs can be insurmountable. Most benefits to which they are entitled DO NOT cover service dog costs. A service dog increases independence and safety, and can dramatically improve the quality of life for those in need. Please give generously so that we may continue to provide individuals with these otherwise denied benefits. We also train facility dogs to work with crime victims, particularly abused children.
To date, most of our service dogs have been awarded to disabled military veterans.
Donor Bill of Rights
The FSDS values and appreciates those who donate to help us fulfill our mission of providing service dog (SD) assistance to our community. As such, we adhere to the Standards and Code of Ethics promulgated by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). All individuals who donate to the FSDS have the right to privacy.
Ways to donate
Direct Donation
The Foundation for Service Dog Support, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization, and we accept tax-deductible donations via paypal. If you are interested in sponsoring a fundraising event or working with our organization to develop new programs, please contact us directly.
How much does education and training cost?
The typical costs are approximately $20,000 per dog. However, through ongoing fundraising efforts and matching contributions of services, we are able to defray the cost to recipients to approximately $10,000.
Through the generosity of our donors, we are able to fully fund the cost of these dogs for individuals with a strong record of community service, and waive the fee completely. Depending on the availability of funds, we also attempt to provide up to 50% funding ($5,000) for individuals without a record of community service.
What would your donation go to?
In addition to helping fund the cost of current and future classes of service dogs, we are also seeking donations to grow our programs.
Our unique youth-based training program is gaining popularity in the community, and plans are underway to expand this program to provide career exploration opportunities for students. We also seek to build our state approved Master SD Trainer Apprenticeship Program, to provide career training for a military veteran seeking to transition to civilian life.
Payments for FSDS services
Alternately, you can use our donation form to provide convenient online payment for our programs and services. The options are as follows:
- Course fee for Canine Safety Program: $75.00
- Payments for Certification Program:
- Apply to become a Certified Team Exam: $250.00
- Certification Materials (after the exam- covers card, vest, and shipping): $75.00
- Apply to become an Evaluator: $50.00
Success Stories
Bill Weigt served in the U.S. Army. After being honorably discharged, Bill went to work as a Peoria Police Officer, to continue to serve his community. In December 2005, while working to apprehend a murder suspect, Bill was shot in the line of duty. He awoke from a coma three days later, on the morning of his birthday, to learn that he was paralyzed. Bill searched for a service dog but was told to expect a 3-5 year wait, and quoted high costs by other programs. The FSDS moved Bill to the front of the wait list and granted him his service dog “Zeus”, at no out-of-pocket cost to him.
Tom Linton is a Vietnam veteran, and a decorated and distinguished member of the AZ Veterans Hall of Fame. He was turned away from other programs that serve veterans as he was not a post 911 veteran, and due to the nature of his disabilities was unable to train the dog for his own needs. The FSDS awarded him a fully trained SD “Charlie” at no pot of pocket cost. Tom and Charlie remain actively involved with the FSDS as one of our most successful Canine Ambassador teams.
Those who serve…deserve.