Freedom Service Dogs, Inc.

Freedom Service Dogs, Inc. provides and excellent service to needy people throughout the country. They adopt unwanted dogs from the pounds and train and care for them until they match up with a client that truly needs them. They are well run and love these dogs and the clients they work with, making not just one life better but two. I have volunteered at FSDs for more than two years and absolutely love what they do and try to share everything I can about the organization to everyone I come in contact with.

Freedom Service Dogs is an amazing organization that I have been lucky to work with as a volunteer for almost two years now. Whether you want to help dogs or people, this group does both at once! They accomplish this by rescuing dogs from shelters and after spending the time to train them for service work, pair them with veterans and others in need of physical or emotional assistance. I donate to the group financially, but also foster the amazing dogs in my home on the weekend. I have had many amazing dogs in my time with FSD, each of them unique and impressive. Many people ask me how I am able to handle losing them as they graduate, and it is of course not easy, but as they take a piece of my heart, my heart grows by that same amount because of their love. I know they are moving on to be with someone that truly needs their help and skills. The level of training the dogs receive is amazing and they truly have changed my life and also those they go on to partner with forever. If anyone out there is contemplating making a donation of their time or money to this organization, I can assure you that both are a wise decision and you are joining a community of volunteers committed to helping dogs in need reach their full potential to help their human partners do the same. The staff at FSD are such nice and warm people, always going out of their way to make sure volunteers are enjoying their experience. I could go on forever, but I will just say that I am blessed to have found this group and welcome others to join as well.

This is an organization that saves two lives by choosing to custom-train dogs who have been abandoned or rescued to help people living with disabilities. From children with autism to veterans with PTSD to adults with MS, they are the one charity that helps everyone. I'm so grateful for the work they do to help people regain their independence.

Amazingly, a frightened shelter dog is transformed into a confident service animal. These dogs seem to understand the importance of their journey. Training and pairing up a dog requires a special talent. The staff and volunteers are in sync for the genuine love/care of their dogs and clients. These dogs bring peace, trust and joy while casting out fear. What an incredible organization.

“I prayed for a miracle and you appeared."

I am both a volunteer (dog handler) and donor as I believe whole heartedly in the double mission
of Freedom Service Dogs: rescuing dogs from shelters and training them to assist humans with
disabilities . By helping both, it often turns out we help an entire family! I came to FSD having
enjoyed obedience competition with my own dogs but now disabled by a a prosthetic foot so that became difficult. I first thought I should help veterans with missing limbs but am not
happy with this situation for myself so thought I would not be good at it. Then I read about
FSD and what they do for dogs and people so realized that is exactly how I want to contribute!
They let me train from a wheelchair so rambunctious beginning dogs do not knock me over and
those further in their training learn to be handled by someone using a chair. This shows the
thoroughness and flexibility of FSD's training methods and sensitivity to human needs. Unable
to have a dog where I live, my time at FSD gives me the love of a weekly "doggie fix".

From a friend I learned about Freedom Service Dogs of America. I checked the website and learned how the program provides service dogs free of charge to people with physical disabilities, PTSD, and therapy dogs. I read the stories about dogs that were placed and I was hooked! I filled out an application to volunteer.

At the same time I looked at the dogs up for adoption because once in the program dogs are kept until a forever home is found. I completed the form, my husband and I adopted one of those dogs, and he has become an important part of our lives. We are thankful every day that we found him.

Each week I volunteer at the facility. I love being there to walk and play with the dogs. The caregivers
and staff are dedicated to providing the best for their dogs. I feel the positive atmosphere every time I come. They also answer questions I may have about my adopted dog. Since he was part of the program he is still considered one of their dogs and they want the best for him too.

Check the website or come visit the facility and I am sure you will be hooked and have the same happy, positive feelings I have about Freedom Service Dogs of America!

Freedom Service Dogs ("FSD") is a wonderful organization that helps dogs and people with all kind of disability (autism, PTSD, physical disability, etc...) and makes the community a better place. FSD rescues dogs, trains them specifically for its clients and if the dogs don't "make the cut", FSD finds them a forever home. Come visit the FSD Facility and hear more about it - I promise you it will melt your heart.

I learned of a local organization that rescues shelter dogs to be trained as service dogs, and I was hooked! I started volunteering at Freedom Service Dogs; and quickly learned what an incredible organization this is. A small staff performs with such precision. The caretakers, trainers, office staff, and fellow volunteers, have such love for the dogs. A trained dog is matched with the needs of an individual client; whether a returning vet with PTSD, or children and adults with disabilities. The motto of FSD is "free a hero to save a hero." FSD is a true hero to the dogs in their care, and the clients they serve.

Every cent of the money FSD receives goes directly to the dogs and their clients. You can see the heart in every staff member directly in the care of the dogs. They save lives every day both human and animal and I can't say enough how wonderful they are. I will support FSD for the rest of my life due to their mission and the way they follow through in all that they do.

There is no worthier a cause than helping our vets who come home with not only physical injuries but psychological issues as well. FSD rescues dogs to free people. Where else can you volunteer your services and come out each time with a smile on your face? Dedication from the top down in this organization is unmatched.

I became involved with Freedom Service Dogs a few years ago and think it is a terrific organization with dedicated staff, volunteers and board. Their "tag line" of saving two lives...is true. They rescue dogs and rescue people from their lack of independence. Anyone who finds out about FSD loves it. They just need help spreading the word. They are always trying to improve their programs and find ways to serve more clients and rescue more dogs. I can't say enough about this wonderful organization.

I believe Freedom Service Dogs is a great organization. They have an incredibly dedicated staff who highly value their volunteers. The organization is completely focused on the mission of rescuing dogs who then go on to help disabled people. It is especially rewarding to see the Veterans whose lives have forever been changed by war can once again participate in normal life. Or, a teenager confined to a wheelchair is able to become more independent from their parents. And, many other situation. The Service Dogs are given to the clients free of charge including lifetime support.

They treat every dogs is treated as an individual, and matched with an appropriate situation, whether it be into training as a Service Dog, a therapy dog or a skilled companion dog. Those not suited for one of these roles are put up for adoption. They are carefully match with potential adopters to ensure they get a good caring lifetime home.

For me, it has been a life changing event. To be able to be a small part of the dogs lives during their time here whether simply playing with them, taking them for walks or on training outings all comes together when you see the dogs placed with their clients. These dogs change the lives of the clients and their families!

As a volunteer I foster the dogs in training over weekends and holidays. FSD has a great concern for the dogs and their well being. They provide continuing services to their clients and the service dogs. Volunteers are highly valued and appreciated.

The dedicated staff at FSD has deep concern for both the dogs and the support of the clients. They are focused on excellence in all endeavors relative to the dogs and the clients. Developing a dog/client team that is a perfect fit is the goal of everyone at FSD. I volunteer at FSD and I am always impressed with the attitude and temperament of all the FSD personnel and volunteers. While I was looking for something important to do, I had no idea that being involved with FSD would be so fulfilling. I flew "medevac" mission in Viet Nam and this activity allows me to give back a little.

I have volunteered for Freedom Service Dogs since 2002. It is by far the most amazing organization I have ever supported (financially or with my time). We rescue dogs, train by partnering with a prison canine training program - plus our dogs are part of an at youth risk program that gives them life skills. We also have a dedicate volunteer group that works with the dogs during the day and another group that takes these young dogs into their homes on the weekends - resulting in over 11,000 volunteer hours 'donated' every year. Then there is the staff - totally motivated to help every dog. Last and certainly not least - are our clients. Everyone from disabled children, car accident victims, those unfortunate to get MS or MD, wounded warriors, and veterans. Everyone counts. Every dog, Every client. Every staff member. Every volunteer. And of course EVERY DONOR! Freedom gives the dogs away....so every dollar helps us graduate more dogs!

My volunteering experience at Freedom Service Dogs (FSD) has helped me to realize the important role animals play in the development and recovery of humans. I have seen first-hand the life changing effect that service dogs have on individuals with physical or emotional difficulties. Without an organization like FSD, many returning veterans, children and others wouldn't be able to live fulfilling and rich lives.