Canine Companions Puget Sound

Mission

Canine Companions provides children, adults and veterans with disabilities with expertly trained service dogs so that individuals can live with greater independence. Canine Companions also provides professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings facility fogs to engage with clients in stressful settings. Since its founding in 1975, more than 8,200 service and facility dogs have been provided to individuals and organizations at no cost, including follow-up services. This year we are celebrating 50 years of empowering people with disabilities to live with greater independence.

Lead with Independence

Canine Companions is leading the service dog industry so our clients and their dogs can live with greater independence. We provide service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings. Our dogs are expertly trained in over 40 tasks, including retrieving dropped items, opening doors, and can even assist with making purchases. A Canine Companions service dog not only assists with physical tasks but also provides meaningful companionship. Canine Companions does not charge for service dogs or the lifetime of ongoing support they provide to the service dog teams. As a result, they depend on private funding through donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and community organizations. A Seattle Give Big gift of $10,000 would fund the cost of a local resident’s two-week training course where they will be matched with their own service dog at our new Puget Sound Field Office in SODO Seattle.

Local Story of Independence

The Keogh family was due to start Team Training to get 12-year-old Luca’s service dog when they learned that Luca’s father, David, was diagnosed with cancer and needed chemotherapy. Treatment would begin in just two weeks. With three children, the daunting prospect of driving from the Seattle area, where they reside, to Santa Rosa, California, for training would be insurmountable.

Fortunately, the Keoghs would be in the very first class to graduate from the Puget Sound Field Office in Seattle, Washington, a new Canine Companions outpost right in their backyard.

“It wouldn’t have been possible for us to get Luca’s service dog without being so close to home,” Luca’s mom Sarah says. “The kids are homeschooled, and Luca is at high risk for respiratory viruses.”  

The field office hosts dogs in professional training, with the dogs spending nights and weekends fostered by local volunteers while training each day with Canine Companions’ instructors.  

Luca found a life-changing best friend in Service Dog Atticus.  

“It was the perfect match,” Sarah recalls. “Atticus was meant for Luca.” Since graduating, the Keoghs have started to see the profound impact Atticus is making. Atticus joined Luca, who has spina bifida, for two extensive surgeries and hospital stays, helping with recovery and motivating during therapies.

“We couldn’t be more grateful,” says Sarah. “Atticus is paving the way for Luca’s independent future.”  

Along their journey, the Puget Sound Field Office will be right around the corner to offer support and follow-up services, ensuring that independence is always within reach for this perfect partnership and those to come.