Atlas Assistance Dogs is a unique and truly life-changing organization. Unlike most service dog programs, Atlas empowers people with disabilities to train their own dogs with the support of highly trained volunteers. This approach fosters deep bonds between dogs and handlers, respects individual needs, and promotes independence and dignity.
What sets Atlas apart is its unwavering commitment to ethical, force-free training for both dogs and humans. Every client is treated with compassion, respect, and a belief in their capability — regardless of their diagnosis, background, or income level. Financial accessibility is also a core value: Atlas offers incredibly affordable programs and provides scholarships so no one is left behind due to cost.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing how Atlas supports people from all walks of life — veterans, people with invisible disabilities, and those who have struggled to find support elsewhere. Their commitment to inclusion and client-centered care is inspiring. The organization is professional, transparent, and deeply mission-driven.
If you are looking for an organization that is making a real difference in people’s lives while also caring deeply about the wellbeing of the dogs involved, Atlas Assistance Dogs is it.
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I’ve seen Atlas grow from the beginning, and I love seeing that Atlas is established as an organization that people with disabilities can rely on to help train their own service dog. Our program – training courses, documentation, one-on-one support, testing and certification – is something to be proud of. A couple of things have been particularly rewarding for me in watching Atlas grow. We never anticipated at the start how many volunteers would join in, how many skills and talents they would bring, and how they would help shape the culture and spirit of Atlas. It takes so much to make Atlas work. The collective talent and productivity of Atlas volunteers is astonishing. The other thing that has been particularly important to me is that Atlas has remained true to its original commitment that all clients would be treated respectfully and as individuals and that all dogs would be seen as partners and teammates and not merely as tools. I’m happy that Atlas is part of the community of positive, non-aversive trainers.
I have been a volunteer member of the Board since 2023. Passion for assistance dogs has been in my family for several generations. I am happy to see this community flourish. This is not easy for those who need support. The benefit that dogs bring is incalculable. Seeing the results first hand is gratifying.
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I have been a board member since end of 2022. It is my first foray into board position of a non-profit. The mission is something my family and I have supported for decades. The group is a dedicated team who are well organized and have produced a model that is very effective for those in need. I am impressed with the openness and the willingness to do whatever can help those in need. Not every every dog can make it through the process which is important to recognize, that yes - it takes effort and a lot of support on both the partners, animal and human. That is what Atlas Assistance Dog provides. My fellow board members, the volunteers and staffers all go above and beyond. I am proud to be associated with this great enterprise.
Everyone at Atlas works with care and integrity - for our clients, their dogs, our trainers. Atlas is truly one of the GREAT nonprofits! I am honored to be part of this wonderful organization.
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Atlas provides a valuable service to people who might not otherwise have access to a service dog. I am honored to be a part of this very special organization.
It is rare to find an organization that is simultaneously committed to high-quality, science-backed, dignity-affirming service dog training that also strives to provide that training at low-cost to handlers. I am fully behind Atlas' mission and appreciate the way they carry it out.
I searched all over the country to learn how to train service dogs. Atlas rises above all others. I received an excellent education and continued support. Their compassion, expertise and understanding of both ends of the leash is astounding.
Atlas is filled with incredible and dedicated people who care deeply about service dogs and their handlers. I am proud to be a member of this organization, working to increase access to service dogs and promoting positive and ethical training standards.
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I’m so proud to be a part of this amazing organization and community and see the impact Atlas has on our clients. It’s such a valuable resource and truly makes a difference.
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As a board member (on my third term) I have seen the impact that Atlas has made to so many individuals by helping them train their own service dogs. I'm so proud to be part of this organization!
Atlas Assistance Dogs is a standout nonprofit committed to expanding access to service dogs through ethical, inclusive training. Instead of the traditional model, they empower individuals to train their own dogs with expert guidance and support. Their programs are thoughtful, well-structured, and rooted in positive reinforcement. It's clear they prioritize both the well-being of the dogs and the independence of the people they serve. A genuinely impactful organization doing important work.
Atlas does life-changing work, and the stories on its website speak for themselves. Moreover, Atlas does its work with intention; every client is treated in a way that considers their unique situation, making sure that their service dog journey is a fruitful one.
If you are looking for a respected, caring and ethical service dog training organization, Atlas is exemplary. I have been a dog trainer for over 40 years, and I have been so impressed with the expertise of their staff and volunteers, and with the content of their classes. They have an inclusive mindset regarding the people they serve, and hold high standards for the training and services they offer. I would not hesitate to recommend Atlas to anyone who is considering becoming a service dog trainer or training a service dog for themselves.
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Having been a volunteer for Atlas Assistance Dogs for six years, I am still amazed at the positive changes I have seen in the lives of people who Atlas has helped. This is an organization that treats both the clients and the dogs they work with, with dignity and respect. They have an inclusive mindset regarding the people they serve, and hold high standards for the training and services they offer. I would not hesitate to recommend Atlas to anyone who is considering becoming a service dog trainer or training a service dog for themselves.
Atlas brings science-based methodologies to its training and core values of empathy and inclusion to its community of clients, trainers, and staff. It is one of very few organizations that empowers disabled owners to train their own dogs, and it does so under the expert guidance of volunteers who are committed to the well-being of both ends of the leash. This is a fantastic organization!
Atlas is in our 9th year and I am so amazed to see how the organization has matured and the amazing people who are part of it. Every day i have the privilege of working with our clients, volunteers, trainers, board, and team facilitators. I get to see the many emails and calls that come through and the efforts Atlas staff go to in order to help them find resources and figure out their next step in their service dog journeys. This year we are well on our way to ADI (assistance dogs international) accreditation which is going to be a huge step forward for owner trainers who want the same level of certification and recognition as dogs raised by a program. Please support Atlas today.
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Every year I continue to be impressed by everyone who is involved with Atlas. As one of the original founders, I take immense pride in the ethics, quality, and community of our organization and am thrilled how many people have claimed it as their own and continued to shape and mature it.
This is an amazing organization that truly makes a significant impact on people's lives, specifically people with disabilities. The people and programs truly live their mission and demonstrate it ever day through their actions. I'm proud to be a part of this wonderful group of dedicated people.
I never realized how quickly Atlas would grow! Because Atlas has been lecturing at Clicker Expo and other professional dog trainer venues, I am currently benefiting from Atlas's educational opportunities to dog trainers, teaching them how to be more accessible to pet-dog owners with disabilities in their private businesses, as they give back and volunteer as Team Facilitators with Atlas to help clients train their service dogs. It is so important to recognize that both trainers and pet owners might have unique needs, and Atlas embraces them, works with them, and truely makes sure everyone is able to achieve their goals.
I have been volunteering with Atlas for over 4 years. I started helping with marketing and fundraising. Three years ago I went through their comprehensive trainer academy and learned so much about working with people with disabilities and positive reinforcement training. I will be forever grateful to this organization for helping me grow my knowledge of service dog training so that I can support clients who are training their dogs as service dogs.
I joined Atlas as a 14-year-old girl with no experience in having or training a service dog before, a young puppy with enormous potential, and a debilitating disability. I graduated 9 months later at 15 with a fully trained service dog and relationships I hope will last me years. At 16, I attended my first conference with Atlas to advocate for the use of service dogs in the treatment of my disability. Atlas changed my life. They charged only hundreds for a service that nearly every other organization would charge hundreds of thousands for. The founder and president is a wonderful, kind, and determined woman who has built an amazing network of highly knowledgeable and qualified service dog trainers that work one on one with their clients. If possible (some states have more trainers than others), the clients are personally matched to a trainer by a member of Atlas leadership to encourage the most success. I got matched with an amazing trainer who was so helpful, generous with her time, and that I gelled so well with. We became such good friends, and I am truly grateful for her support and the support of Atlas. The client support during training and after graduation is incredible, Atlas truly cares for its clients. I am so, so grateful to the wonderful team at Atlas, and to all the other clients I have met that made me feel seen and understood. Absolutely 110% recommend.
Working with Atlas Assistance Dogs has not only been game changing it has been life altering for my family. Atlas and their amazing lead and team facilitators showed both my daughter and I how to train her service dog in a way that means she has the skills to continue tweaking and adapting his skills as her needs change. Their support and willingness to work with my daughter and find out who she is, what her dreams are allowed her to feel confident and supported as she went through this challenging work. They provided community, continuing education, support and have championed her work with the Tourette's Association of America. Atlas Assistance Dogs have been able to surpass any expectations I had going into working with them. They do so much more than teach people how to train their service dogs. They are truly philanthropic, giving their time, wisdom, education, and patience to the dogs and humans they work with!
I have been volunteering as a team facilitator (trainer) since 2021. I love working with the Atlas team.
Atlas has been working so hard to spread the science based training methods in the service dog industry. Sadly, we still see many trainers use aversive training equipment to suppress undesirable behaviors instead of teaching desirable behaviors in the service dog training industry. Atlas not only advocates science based training but also focuses on educating the handlers and the public. I am so proud of being Atlas' team member!
I enjoy volunteering for Atlas Assistance Dogs because they truly stand behind their belief of breaking down barriers and make service dogs more accessible to people living with disabilities. Their owner trainer program empowers the person and their dog by helping them build a working partnership through ethical training. This dedicated group of people works hard behind the scenes and hands-on to support every client team on their journey to certifying to the highest standards.
As an intern, I saw firsthand how Atlas was changing the lives of those within the disability community through their programs and offerings. Their Client Certification Program, for instance, allows owners to ethically train their own service dog with guidance and support from a community of like-minded individuals. Atlas' efforts to increase access to service dogs for those with diverse disabilities is truly important work, and I'm happy to have been able to contribute to their mission as a volunteer.
I have been a volunteer and former board member with Atlas for 5 years. Atlas is an amazing nonprofit that genuinely cares about their clients and community. The most rewarding event for me is seeing a client and their dog pass their certification exam. For many, it is a hard process mentally and physically. They are so happy and overjoyed when they suceed. It makes me smile to see their excitement.
Atlas is filled with incredible and dedicated people who care deeply about service dogs and their handlers. The training is kept to the highest of standards, always ensuring the well-being of everyone involved. I'm grateful for Atlas and my incredible Atlas Certified service dog!
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Atlas' core belief is that disabilities are not something to hide from or to "get over. They are part of people's stories and something to thrive and succeed WITH. Atlas has allowed me to do just this. Having a disability means having a lot of unknowns about the future, but this team of wonderful people have given me the opportunity to work with them and thus pursue my passions in raising awareness about service dogs and helping other people like me who can benefit from one.
Everyone at Atlas cares deeply about helping individuals with disabilities and making the world a more accessible place for them and their service dog. They are a group of dedicate, compassionate, and hard-working people who always put the needs of the population they serve first.
Truly the best group I have dealt with in a long time. Questions are answered in a timely manner. Help is always there!
Atlas is a fantastic organization that helps individuals who would benefit from a service dog to train with us as a client using their own, qualified dog. It also provides services to trainers to access a new network via the disability and service dog training community, helping both perspective clients and trainers in the process.
Beyond its services, Atlas fosters a close-knit, caring community of clients, volunteers, and trainers.
It’s a small, but mighty team dedicated to helping those, with disabilities, get the specific training they need so their dog can assist them. They do much more, but I know my friend has benefitted greatly, from her relationship with ATLAS. The team is committed to doing what’s right and operating with integrity and a genuine desire to increase access to service dogs.
I am in awe of how far Atlas has come in a mere 7 years!
I was part of the founding Board, and most recently was our fill-in admin, and so I can attest that as Atlas has grown, it has made sure to reexamine each step so it holds up to its mission and values every step of the way.
As a volunteer with disabilities, I always feel supported, listened to, accomodated, and valued. I have gotten lots of help with how to rehabilitate my newly rescued pup "with issues" as well, which helps all of us.
The spirit of inclusivity and generosity is contagious, and has made me a better person for working with this wonderful organization :)
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I volunteer with Atlas because I believe in its goal of breaking down current barriers and making it possible for more people with disabilities to obtain an appropriate assistance dog. I lost my career as a physician due to my own disabilities; Atlas has allowed me to continue to help patients in a very meaningful way.
Atlas is inclusive through and through: welcoming clients with extremely diverse needs as well as embracing volunteers (such as myself), trainers, and employees with disabilities. I have been involved with Atlas since its beginning, and it is exciting and inspiring to watch this organization grow.
It’s hard to find any organization as transparent, inclusive, accommodating, and ethical as Atlas, particularly within the service dog world. They are a critical, incredible resource for folks that need a dog but don’t quite fit the boxes of other programs. In their actions, processes, and procedures, this organization truly exemplifies their mission statement that anyone who would benefit from a qualified assistance dog should be able to have one!
Atlas Assistance Dogs is top notch! The have given me phenomenal and tailored support in helping me train my first then a second service dog through the years. I would highly recommend them!
I am a volunteer board member of this amazing nonprofit. I am impressed with the leadership that works tirelessly to fulfill the organization's mission. Their commitment to helping more people get service dogs that may not have been able to is commendable.
I work with Atlas as a volunteer and I have to say the people who are a part of this organization are truly phenomenal! They genuinely care about all of the people that are involved in the organization, whether you are somebody who is receiving services and resources, volunteering your time, learning how to train service dogs, all the way up to their staff members, they make sure to treat everybody with love and respect. They are highly ethical and really make sure that everybody who enters their program commits to ethical, positive reinforcement training to ensure that the dogs live a happy and healthy life. Everybody is motivated behind their mission of expanding access to assistance dogs for anybody who can benefit from one, and it is truly remarkable to see the amount of people that have benefited from these services. I would highly recommend Atlas to anybody who is looking to volunteer for a greater cause and really make life-changing impacts on peoples lives!
It is clear to me how passionate and committed everyone at Atlas is about the work they’re doing. For an organization to have accomplished so much, with only one paid employee, says a lot about their drive and perseverance, the founders, the board, and all of the volunteers who continue to show up. It is also exceedingly evident how important it is that the dogs and the people being served by Atlas’ programming are treated with dignity and respect, and that the programming is designed around those principles. Further, everyone I’ve had the chance to work with at Atlas is compassionate, kind and fun to be around, as well as always open to feedback and new ideas.
This is my 4th year volunteering for Atlas. I love the clients and dogs I work with. I love the support Atlas provides as well as the continuing education. Whoever thought training dogs for service work could be such a fun thing? Finding new ways to keep the dogs engaged and enthusiastic is what I strive for.
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I got involved with Atlas 2 years ago. A few months ago I finished their online service dog courses and am now proud to say that I am an Atlas certified service dog trainer. I also volunteer at a Team Facilitator Lead. I am grateful to be able to work with people with disabilities to help them train and certify their own person dogs. Atlas treats everyone ethically and humanly and I love that about the organization.
Atlas is committed to the people who their mission is intended to help. Every person and every animal and beyond!
Their commitment also requires the use of up to date ethical treatment and training practices and has remained a priority for them and I wanted to get involved and help any way I could! I was able to do that by learning the material so thoughtfully put together in their online courses and I was given the opportunity to give back what I learned by meeting with many individuals and teaching them how to train service dogs whether for themselves or for another person.
Positive reinforcement isn’t just for the dogs either! Their kind approach is customized for each individual who wants to be involved and learn more and their non-stop encouragement has changed the lives of anyone who comes through the door!
Myself included!
I’m forever grateful for every single person involved!
I have been involved with Atlas as a volunteer board member. This board is committed to making a difference for people needing assistance dogs and also being good stewards of our donor's money. The mission and values we uphold are what sets this organization apart.
I've been working in the service dog industry for over 5 years, and have always been looking for a way to give back to the community. Though I was skeptical when I first met Atlas, it didn't take long for me to see how knowledgable and passionate their teams are to make positive reinforcement training accessible to service dog teams across the nation.
There are so many pieces involved in service dog training and living with a disability, and Atlas does a wonderful job of educating their volunteers to ensure that their clients that the best opportunity for success.
As a Service Dog handler myself, I always ran into some challenges training my own dog, that really required a second said of eyes and consistent support to make sure I stayed on track. Finally finding like minded trainers that emphasized my dogs well being really made me feel seen and cared for. Training approaches can be a really big barrier for some people, and Atlas is very clear on where they stand and how they continue to improve on industry standards.
I have been involved in the service dog and disability community for 10 years, both personally and professionally. Atlas was the first organization I met that spoke to the very real challenges people face when confronting their disability, and how incredibly difficult it can be to get a service dog. I was immediately drawn in because of the passion and honesty the Atlas team was bringing to the service dog community, and their approach to supporting Owner-Trained Service Dog teams (people who train their own dog). I became involved as a volunteer and board member to help support other people like myself find solutions to the very real barriers individuals face when considering a service dog. We're all a scrappy group, and a bit rebellious and strive to find new ways to ethically and humanely empower people to help themselves. And because dogs are awesome.
I have lived through the volunteers and trainers at Atlas learning through all the information shared. Our journey began after our dog trainer from Montana returned from a Clicker Expo and shared the amazing program Atlas offers that is all positive reinforcement. Unfortunately there aren't any Atlas trainers in my area and it wasn't feasible for our trainer to become one. However, that hasn't stopped the support provided and access to free and valuable information. I have been connected to lots of reliable and reputable resources including service dog equipment and gear. As a team, we are doing amazing and I hope, someday, we can become a part of Atlas formally.