Ksds Assistance Dogs Inc

KSDS is a fantastic organization where everyone is treated like family. Their trainers are top notch and their dogs make a world of difference to those whose lives they touch.

Excellent program that gives amazing dogs to clients free of charge. They take pride in their work and the dogs they send out.

I am a volunteer puppy raiser for KSDS. The KSDS staff genuinely cares about their puppies, puppy raisers, dogs-in-training, students and graduates.
For Individuals needing the assistance of a canine partner the school is a beacon of hope and help.
KSDS staff is friendly and always willing to assist.

I have been involved with this organization for several years and have found it to be a wonderful organization who fulfills the mission of providing assistance dogs to persons at no cost. When students train at KSDS, most of their expenses are taken care of, including meals and lodging. KSDS offers accessible housing for students who train, including cooking and laundry facilities. The only expense the student has is an application fee of $25, and transportation to KSDS if they have to drive a long distance or schedule a flight.

KSDS has placed over 515 assistance dog teams in the past 26 years. Many people who tour our facility or attend a graduation is extremely impressed with KSDS. The KSDS family extends their friendship and support to all who need it.

I am so disappointed in my choice with going with KSDS for my assistance dog. My dog was high-strung and hard to manage from the get-go. I was told I needed to be more ALPHA. Um, I'm a quad. What the heck! They have a total lack of understanding of their clients. I asked for them to have my dog know to pull off covers because I can't in the middle of the night. And same with pulling them on. I had to have friends help train this when I got home because my dog didn't know it (as promised) when I got there. I have gotten no followup even though I've asked multiple times with phone calls and emails. I also got my dog and got my vet papers only to find out my dog scored a POOR on their hip OFA. Now I have to spend money and know that my dog will have a shorted work life. I've been scammed. Learn from my experience. Don't be scammed. Send your friends and family elsewhere for a dog!!!!

I received my service dog from KSDS a few years ago. I have had very few issues with my dog, and when i did have an issue, the staff at KSDS were more than helpful in finding a way to fix the issue. I am able to be more independent because of my service dog. I am grateful to EVERYONE at KSDS for all their hard work and dedication that goes into training the assistance dogs that are placed. Since being placed with my dog, I know of only 1 match that didn't workout, this was because of the persons support system at home didn't want the individual to have a successor dog. The failure had absolutely nothing to do with ANYONE with KSDS. I don't understand why there are such hateful reviews, if people knew the whole story their minds would change.

I have been a volunteer puppy raiser for KSDS for 13 years and love seeing how much the dogs mean to the graduates and how they help them gain independence. The dogs are specifically trained to help with specific needs of the person they are teamed with and the bond that it creates goes beyond measure. The trainers are very professional and so dedicated, they will go above and beyond to help a team succeed so that they might become independent and live a full life of their own. The trainers also regularly attend ADI (Assistance Dogs International) conferences and further training to stay up with any new training techniques so that they can be the best at what they do. The whole school is like one big family, many graduates will tell you how much KSDS has become a part of their family. KSDS is the only ADI Accredited School in Kansas.

My friend has a dog from this school. It's a shame because they raised money to get to travel to KSDS and their dog isn't even capable of doing basic skills, let alone being able to do advanced skills like they need. They love the dog, but love doesn't turn on and off lights or open or close doors or retrieve dropped items. My friend has contacted the school for additional followup and support and has consistently been told it's her fault. WRONG, that's not how you treat people.

I have witnessed several dogs that have graduated from this school being aggressive. One even attacked my dog and bloodied it's ear and I had to take it to the emergency veterinarian. The dogs are too much for their clients to handle and they don't do a good job of matching dogs with people. I feel bad for anyone who gets a dog from them.

As a previous donor to this organization, I became suspicious in the last few years with all the changes and none that have been positive. I did some research on the current training staff and found that the senior trainer has in fact been convicted for steeling money in her prior job at a bank right there in Washington. I can't believe that they are allowing her to collect donations and etc. What type of place is this.
Every time they make one of their changes, they explain how there will be new guidelines such as the breeding and training programs. I have taken the time to look back at past newsletters and such and they are not changing anything but staff members and leadership.
The new duplexes were supposed to allow for larger classes, however I have not seen a class larger than five since the addition. You never see more that one or two guide students in class. Why do they even place guide dogs?
The new breeding guidelines are not new, but have been in place for years...established by Karen Acre Price herself. The puppies in training are kept in their puppy homes until the age of two or older so that the latest placements are being made when the dog is between 3-4 years of age. How is that fair for a person with a disability to receive a dog that old when they only work 8 -10 years?
How is it fair for dogs to spend over a year in the kennels in training? The poor puppy raisers waiting and waiting for the dog they spent time loving and training to finally be placed.

This organization is anything but transparent...just try asking to see any of their financial information or board meeting minutes. There are no term limits on this board and the won't invite new members on. The board members secretly meet and make decisions in groups of 2-3 and then sway the rest of the board members to agree. Previous employees were treated like dirt after dedicating and developing the programs for over 10 years. These employees were discarded but their ideas were kept and later implemented being passed off as the "new guidelines".
Any signs of leadership from employees is frown upon and seen as a struggle for power and attempt at taking over. These board members have a warped sense of "helping people", they are all about themselves.

I've called KSDS, Inc. family for 14 years. They are a strong people oriented organization. As a puppy raiser my efforts are rewarded with a high percentage of puppies accepted into the program with Service, Guide and Social dogs being developed. Extra care is taken to match the person with the Assistance Dog. When I've had a puppy not make the program the staff strive above and beyond to place the puppy that family that best matches.

When I began looking for an organization to assist as a volunteer, I researched several other organizations, but none as impressive as Ksds. What impressed me most was their success rate and their true commitment to helping people with disabilitiies become happier, more independent individuals. At Ksds, everyone is family, and everyone is valued as individuals. They haveamazing follow up procedures with each individual whos life they have touched.

KSDS has given me more than I can possibly give them. They have given me confidence to believe in myself - and push myself to do things I never believed I would have been able to do before.

Talent and caring are not enough to establish the partnership that I have with my service dog, Carmine. The important training for both of us provided by KSDS, Inc. employees and many volunteers provide confidence that is beyond belief to change my life and many others who suffer chronic disabilities. Among the volunteers, my partner's puppy raiser gave Carmine many experiences that are related in my book, A Priceless Gift, including a film documentary viewed by thousands of people. My book honors puppy raisers. You may laugh and then cry, as an editor said she did, but you will appreciate Carmine and her puppy raiser. Carmine and I join with other KSDS graduates and their partners at least once a year to review training and renew lifelong friendships.

I spent several months doing research before I chose KSDS. I was, and continue to be, impressed with the staff, dogs, puppy raisers, training facility, and community support. Sopapilla and I are personality matched, so she is a little stubborn - but it's an attitude I share. At our graduation from the training camp we were introduced as a team by Sopapilla's puppy raiser. It was wonderful to meet the woman who had raised my girl through the rough puppy times and then had the hugeness of heart to give her up so we could be a team. KSDS's commitment to connect the puppy raisers and the graduates is a wonderful thing. I contacted the trainers soon after returning home and was given immediate attention and a solution to the issue we were having. I attended the Graduate Retreat last summer and met other teams from all over the country. We had time to socialize and work on skills. The support from the other graduates is so important, as very few people have the experience of being the human half of a service- or guide-dog team. When giving presentations about Service Dogs, I always emphasize these aspects of KSDS and the importance of working with certified trainers. KSDS changed my life forever and I will always be grateful.

I have received 3 miracles from KSDS. First, my service dog, Abby, who helped me gain strength to leave a wheelchair, second, my successor service dog, Tortilla, who continues to amaze me with his ability to help me, and third, the return to health of Tortilla as they covered medical bills for a serious and costly illness. Their compassion, dedication, and love for all they do and all they serve should be an example for all to follow.

KSDS has provided me with my Service Dog, Boo. Boo has given me independence that I never had before, if it weren't for Boo I would have never flown. She has flown with me to Washington, D.C, San Deigo and Milwakii. Boo has also given me a sense of confidence. The trainers at KSDS know what they are doing in training these dogs in that these dogs are very highly trained for the specific tasks that they are needed to accomplish. KSDS trainers do an extremely good job at matching these dogs with the persons personality. The two week training camp process that they provide for the person getting the dog is absolutely well worth the time and energy they put in to it, it helps us graduates know exactly how to work with the dog and what commands to give. It also gives us the tools we need to problem solve through any situation we may face as a Team. Through the Grad Retreat that is put on every year in the month of July/August, KSDS trainers help graduates work through any difficulties they may have with the team process and/or public issues. KSDS is like having the best Support Network that money can buy without having to shell out any money. As far as I am concerned, KSDS is the best!!

IT IS BECAUSE OF ALL THE WORKERS AT KSDS THAT I’M EVEN ALIVE, IN 2006 I WAS TRAINED WITH A WOUNDERFUL DOG CALLED MULKAHEY , BUT KNOWN AS MAC, IN OCTOBER 6, 2006. WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. I HAVE BEEN SICK A LOT, BUT MAC HAS BEEN RIGHT THERE ENCOURGING ME. NOW THAT I’M HOME HE HELPS ME ALL HE CAN, IN FACT HE HELPS ME WITH NEW THINGS DAILY. HE HAS BEEN SUCH A BLESSING IN MY LIFE AND THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE WONDERFUL TRAINERS AT KSDS.

I received my first dog, Hatari (aka known as Tari)- from the John Wayne names-litter in the spring of 2003. I had only been waiting for a few months from the 1st application until I found my self in Washington, Kansas at the 2 week training class. That Monday morning when Michelle had her "go up" and hugged her goodbye-changed my life forever! We have been blessed to spend nearly 8 years together. I am in an electric wheelchair most of the time & she is there beside me constantly..picking up everything I drop, opening doors for me, bringing me my shoes and braces everyday! I have a "front load" washer & she tugs the wet clothes out & helps me put them in the dryer...from there she helps get them into the basket when they are dried! No words can express my gratitude to all who have & who are working & caring for these wonderful companions of our souls!

KSDS offered me an opportunity to participate in their August 2005 service dog program. I spent two full weeks there learning to work effectively with my dog and I'm happy to report that I succeeded! After graduation, I headed home with a highly trained service dog and began the first day of my new life! My dog's assistance has allowed me to live independently, to maintain an active lifestyle, and to become a very productive member of my community. But more importantly, KSDS isn't in the business of handing out dogs and moving on. They truly care about me and about my dog and have provided unconditional and ongoing support, and this has served to boost my self confidence and my general well being. KSDS gave me hope, showed me how to succeed, and has given me a future.

> Thru the years KSDS has been there for me. I remember calling Karen > asking for > advice on Cagney. my first dog. Karen was partial to Cagney because she > didn't > think she would ever match with anyone. I remember that karen took deb to > KState to see Cagney after her surgery and cagney came out of her kennel > wagging > her tail, she remembered Karen. I treasure those memories. Now I have > kringle. When I first saw him I didn't want him because he didn't look > like > Cagney. Between Deb and my husband I ended up with the perfect dog. Deb > help > with the transfer from a previous dog to my new dog. My husband knew I > needed a > new dog, I kept running into things that I couldn't see. KSDS allows us > to come > and take over a dog that has been a part of their lives and take them home > with > us after training. Traing is adjusted to our needs and life style. ai > remember > all the things Karen had me do for a whole month and half of those thngs I > never > used, so when I came to KSDS for the second time Deb arranged my traning > for > what I needed it for. My husband always hated going to DR. appointments > with > me, now I can get Kringle ready and take the bus and go on my own. KSDS > provides us with Independence and a loveing partner that is with us for a > while. It is haed to let go when we half to, but when we do KSDS is there > to > support us. I remeber losing Cagney and it was the hardest thing to do in > my > life. This dog had been with me for a long time, she was my companion, > friend > and support and Deb helped me thru it. It still hurts but Kringle helps > with > his clownish behavior. KSDS gives what we need when we need it . KSDS is > the > one place that helps with the future of all of us that have received the > best > working dogs around. > > Natalie Banks > 6710 w 52nd pl > apt 2b > mission, ks 66202 > 913-608-5000 >

I have been involved with KSDS since 1994. I have raised 8 puppies for them with 6 of them going on to help people with disabilities. They are very supportive of their puppy raisers and graduates. The employees at KSDS are very knowledgeable and caring people. My experience as a puppy raiser has changed my life by allowing me to give back to the community. The trainers at KSDS are outstanding at matching dogs with people which makes for a very successful team. Getting to know the people who have been partnered with the pups I raised has given me an extended family. It is truly an outstanding experience to attend a graduation and see how the pup I raised had grown up and was now making a huge difference in someone's life. KSDS is an organization that I am proud to be a part of!!!!