DOGS FOR LIFE INC

A non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of life for Veterans and other individuals with
disabilities through training hearing and service dogs and owning an off-leash dog park.

Founded in 2002, Dogs For Life has been turning lives around by providing independence and self reliance for people who need assistance. Dogs For Life's trained service dogs enrich people’s lives – providing
ears that hear smoke alarms, paws that tap a 911 button to call for emergency assistance, legs that provide
added mobility, and deep pressure to calm anxiety attacks. The fastest growing need for assistance dogs in
Florida is among the brave men and women who have served in the United States military or as First
Responders. All service dog training services are provided at no cost to the client.

Over the past 20 years, Dogs For Life has built a solid foundation of supporters and donors and looks to build on that. DFL is always looking forward to creating new ways to generate revenue and inspiring new donors to join the mission. The Dogs For Life Board of Directors and executive leadership are committed to being responsible stewards of the support DFL receives. Dogs For Life has no outstanding debts and owns the property, training center and puppy raising house it currently uses to run day to day operations. DFL controls costs through the use of volunteers, fund development and bid protocols for large projects. DFL has an extensive volunteer force that is part of daily administrative operations as well as fund development, puppy raising, and events. DFL was worked on new goals in two areas within the organization, Fund Development and building the Training and Educational programs. With in Fund Development, DFL has made it a goal to diversify revenues, cultivate current donors as well as broaden the donor base. DFL Educational goals include building online accessibility to training programs such as Veterans Training Veterans, Puppy Raising & Foster Dog, Dog Park Ambassador and Trainers Workshops.

DFL’s Service Dog Training and Administrative Center is a 2,400 sq. ft. indoor facility on the 4.5-acre dog park site owned by DFL. The training center allows for year-round training of assistance dog teams. The center simulates a home setting complete with a mock bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and other amenities commonly found in the home, giving the training teams and trainers the benefit of in-home training in a controlled environment. The center also allows for administrative space for DFL staff and volunteers and handicap accessible rest rooms for park members and training teams.

It is through the devoted Dogs For Life Programs we are able to successful meet our goals. These programs include:
Service Dog Training
Veteran Service Dog Training
Veterans Training Veterans
Veteran PTSD Recovery and Support Group
Female Veterans and First Responders
Support Group
Puppy Raising House and Foster Dog Training
Off-Leash Dog Park

Dogs For Life has diverse training programs as well as new online training workshops. DFL has been directly involved in training over 140 hearing and service dogs resulting in either full public access or in-home certification. DFL assists countless others through information on self-training of service or hearing dog and referrals for related services not currently offered by DFL.

DFL is presently supporting 49 hearing and service dog teams either in training or with annual re-certification. DFL has trained 50 dogs for Veterans and currently has 4, five month old, Labrador Retriever puppies in service dog training. The DFL Off-leash Dog Park has created a safe exercise, recreation, and social area for over 800 families and their dogs since 1997. The dog park also provides a source of revenue for DFL as well as community awareness.
Online Veterans Training Veterans launched in 2020. In 2021 DFL purchased a house for puppy raising and the Puppy Raising & Foster Dog online workshops launched.