September 27, 2011
I had no idea how many unprofessional and scam service dog businesses were out there until a close friend of mine fell victim to one. So it when it came to exploring the service dog option for myself, I wanted assurance that this organization was legitimate and would truly be able to help me, not just take my money and give me something adorable to love and then vanish.
ECAD is a wonderful well organized organization. When I first contacted them they were patient and answered all of my questions and let me tour their facility. I was able to watch troubled youths train service dogs under the guidance of their staff. I was blown away by how absolutely brilliant and obedient the dogs were, how much the teens gained by their work, and how utterly organized and committed the staff were. The facility was clean and completely accessible. I made a $50 donation on the spot and when I got home I filled out an application for a service dog. I heard back from them in a timely fashion and received the 2nd part of the application and then had a scheduled interview and in a few months I hopefully will begin team training. Soon I will have a highly trained well bred and screened service dog I can trust will help me with daily tasks and assist me in emergencies, and it will only cost me $8,500, that's less than half what those fly by night places are charging disabled people for under-trained (or completely untrained) supposed service dogs!
ECAD helps people and organizations with all kinds of handicaps.
ECAD raises happy healthy sophisticated dogs that are carefully screened, well groomed, and incredibly loved by their staff, volunteers, and recipients.
ECAD helps troubled youth and teens learn social and employable skills as they learn to connect to an animal who looks to them for direction.
ECAD helps advocate for the service dog rights of veterans, and the general public with visible and invisible disabilities whether you are a client or not.
ECAD helps recipients and their families overcome the isolation and constant worry that come from a disability and give recipient families peace of mind, independence, and freedom.
ECAD helps qualified families raise money to pay for their service dogs.
ECAD is a wonderful well organized organization. When I first contacted them they were patient and answered all of my questions and let me tour their facility. I was able to watch troubled youths train service dogs under the guidance of their staff. I was blown away by how absolutely brilliant and obedient the dogs were, how much the teens gained by their work, and how utterly organized and committed the staff were. The facility was clean and completely accessible. I made a $50 donation on the spot and when I got home I filled out an application for a service dog. I heard back from them in a timely fashion and received the 2nd part of the application and then had a scheduled interview and in a few months I hopefully will begin team training. Soon I will have a highly trained well bred and screened service dog I can trust will help me with daily tasks and assist me in emergencies, and it will only cost me $8,500, that's less than half what those fly by night places are charging disabled people for under-trained (or completely untrained) supposed service dogs!
ECAD helps people and organizations with all kinds of handicaps.
ECAD raises happy healthy sophisticated dogs that are carefully screened, well groomed, and incredibly loved by their staff, volunteers, and recipients.
ECAD helps troubled youth and teens learn social and employable skills as they learn to connect to an animal who looks to them for direction.
ECAD helps advocate for the service dog rights of veterans, and the general public with visible and invisible disabilities whether you are a client or not.
ECAD helps recipients and their families overcome the isolation and constant worry that come from a disability and give recipient families peace of mind, independence, and freedom.
ECAD helps qualified families raise money to pay for their service dogs.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I visited their Dobbs Ferry facility, their website, and their Facebook page and will likely be a service dog recipient this winter.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wouldn't change anything. I wish I could help them find even more donors to help even more people afford service dogs. ECAD is not too big or too small, they are affordable, accessible, dedicated, and experienced.
MY ROLE:
Client Served & I am a client.