Causes: Animal Training, Animals, Deaf & Hearing Impaired Centers, Developmentally Disabled Centers, Disabilities, Human Services

Mission: Dogs for Better Lives (formerly Dogs for the Deaf) professionally trains dogs to help people and enhance lives while maintaining a lifelong commitment to all dogs we rescue or breed and the people we serve.

Results: In fiscal year 2019-20, we professionally trained and placed 11 Assistance Dogs across the United States. 64 dogs were "career changed" (not graduating) and placed in forever homes. The Autism Assistance Dog program's footprint continues to expand beyond Oregon, to now include Washington State and California. We are also working to grow our volunteer programs, including dog walkers, office assistance, national ambassadors, and volunteer canine recruiters. We're currently in the process of expanding nationally, our on-the-ground presence with staff and volunteers. In 2019 we launched a satellite office in Seattle and in early 2020 a satellite office in Fresno, CA. Satellite offices will provide us with a more direct and efficient way of regionally placing dogs with clients, performing follow-ups, engaging volunteer dog/puppy raisers, and providing direct outreach to the key communities we serve. We're continuing to grow our breeding program and have a strong need for puppy raisers across the west coast. Visit our website for more details.

Target demographics: people who are deaf or hard of hearing, professionals who work with people with disabilities, and/or a child on the autism spectrum

Geographic areas served: United States

Programs: Hearing Assistance Dogs (nationally), Facility Dogs (nationally), and Autism Assistance Dogs (OR, WA, and CA)