Founded on July 4, 1975, Canine Companions made history by creating the concept of what is now the modern-day service dog. We have celebrated many milestones over the past five decades, but our mission remains the same: To provide expertly trained service dogs to individuals with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals, free of charge.
We provide service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and education settings. Since our founding in 1975, we have placed more than 8,000 human/canine teams, and our dogs and all follow-up services are provided at no cost to our clients. We currently support over 2,700 teams nationwide, including over 130 in the Sacramento Region.
This year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of not only the founding of Canine Companions but the creation of the service dog concept itself, we are profoundly grateful for the community that has been our foundation along the way. The demand for our service and facility dogs is real and growing. Currently, 24 people in the Sacramento Region have completed the application process and are waiting to be matched with a dog of their own.
Independence shouldn’t be limited to those who look or live a certain way. Disability reaches all races, classes and backgrounds. Clients come to Canine Companions because of our reputation, the quality of our dogs, the experience of our training staff and the desire to lead life with greater independence. We are committed to providing services to all qualified clients.
Canine Companions service dogs are trained in more 45 tasks to support clients impacted by over 65 different types of disabilities including:
Canine Companions is a national organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained service dogs at no charge to the recipient.
Your support will allow Canine Companions to provide more service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities living in the Greater Sacramento Region, free of charge to the recipients.
Volunteers are critical to our organization. Our mission is made possible thanks to the thousands of volunteers who give so much. There are many opportunities and ways to get involved: as a puppy raiser, a breeder caretaker, a special event volunteer, committee member or fundraiser, an onsite campus volunteer, or as an advocate for our mission in the community.
We are experienced at working with businesses to create corporate partnerships and event sponsorship opportunities that are mutually beneficial and meaningful.
Community awareness activities.
In-kind donations are appreciated.
At Canine Companions, we know inclusion and diversity makes our organization stronger. We are proud to be an inclusive and diverse organization that is committed to making a lasting impact in the lives of the people, partners, and communities we aim to serve.
We are dedicated to creating a workplace where all can thrive and contribute to our mission. We intentionally strive to build a community where everyone can contribute to our mission based on their own personalities, history, values and learned and lived experiences. This is integral to making a positive impact on the communities we serve. Together, we are cultivating a culture that places a high value on diversity, nurtures inclusion, and advocates for accessibility for everyone.
Guiding Principles:
Respectful Treatment: We are unwavering in our dedication to treating everyone with respect, humility, and integrity. Discrimination, harassment, or bias of any nature will not find a place within our organization.
Inclusive Leadership: Our leadership team is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We actively seek diverse perspectives in decision-making processes and promote open communication at every level of the organization.
Continuous Learning: We are resolute in our commitment to continuous education and training, aiming to enhance awareness and understanding of inclusion and diversity. Regular inclusion and diversity training for all employees are integral to creating a workplace that is consistently more inclusive.
Community Connections: Canine Companions is dedicated to our mission and to making a lasting impact across the organization and the communities in which we operate.
We strive to deepen our relationships with our surrounding communities through authentically including them in our work.
Together, we believe our efforts will make us and our communities stronger.
Organization name
Canine Companions
1975
Mission Category
Human Services
Operating Budget
$10,000,001-$100 million
Organization Need
Funding: Unrestricted, Volunteers, Funding: Other, Other, In-Kind Donations
Demographics Served
Individuals with disabilities
Local Counties Served
El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Yolo
Address
2965 Dutton AveUS