Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD)

I first learned about TLCAD from a colleague who shared my passion for serving military and veterans. The work of this organization supports both veterans with PTSD and individuals on the autism spectrum. I've continued to donate as TLCAD expanded programs and made an impact beyond the population they serve. One example includes extending puppy socialization and training in prison environments, enabling participants to build skills, confidence, and healthy relationships that benefit them outside of the institution. TLCAD applies excellence from puppy fostering, through training, the preparation of the dog and recipient for a match, and then the following up on the individual and their service partner. I am grateful to be able to be a part of the mission of this organization through giving.

I am a combat veteran and recipient of a TLCAD service dog. In short, this dog saved my life. I have chronic PTSD and a brain injury from combat service. I have gone from just a shadow of a person to having hope and learning to have a full life again. The staff, trainers, and program are all top notch! This is an amazing organization from end to end. I am so very grateful for everyone at TLCAD and of course my service dog!!!

My motivation for volunteer work focuses around using dogs in unique (sometimes it seems like tip-of-the-spear) ways to assist special-needs children and veterans achieve an independent and fulfilling quality of life. From first-hand experience with a family member's unique and positive experience a trained assistance animal can provide, convinces me that assistance dogs are an effective quality-of-life augmentation and can also be a collateral/alternative (sans side-effects) treatment option.

There are numerous organizations engaged in this and related service dog activities. I actively support Tender Loving Canine Assistance Dogs (TLCAD) and their mission statement (to transform lives with service dogs) because of their targeted client group(s) (kids & vets); training philosophy (positive reinforcement); collateral rehabilitative benefit (for California Dept of Corrections & Rehabilitation, and USMC brig inmate dog trainers); plus the rewarding experience to work alongside a talented, dedicated, and caring hand-picked stellar staff.

My dog willow was given to me after I retired from the military. She helped me transition from active duty to helping me achieve my own goals. I was able to go to graduate school and become a nurse practitioner. So now I am helping other veterans with their transition stories. This group continues to assist me and my dog over the past 7 years. My dog helped me with my triggers that often kept me from doing the activities I needed to do. I am not sure I would be where I am today without Willow

I am not sure I can put into words how grateful our family is for Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs (TLCAD)!
We started our journey when our son was diagnosed with Autism. He was becoming more frustrated with the academic demands of school and the frustration developed into fight or flight at school. School days were filled with crawling under desks, screaming, crying, running from the classroom, and at the age of seven, he started saying he had to kill himself. He had autism, and with that came depression, ADHD, and significant anxiety in the school setting. His anxiety over school became anger at home and not feeling like he deserved to live. He didn’t feel like he deserved a family or a home. I couldn’t reason with him or help him feel our love and support, because his brain could only ruminate on the terrible feelings he was having. He would tell me that kids at school made fun of him, and that “they didn’t think he knew it” but he did. He didn’t understand the rest of the world and why it seemed so hard for him.
I am a mom who will do anything for my child. I needed to figure out how to help him. I was researching service dogs online when I found TLCAD. I called and spoke to Stephanie who was tremendous in explaining their process, timeline, and putting realistic expectations on our chances of receiving a dog.
TLCAD was such a professional organization through the entire placement process. When we had the home interview and met our potential Service Dog Jackson, our son said, “We loved each other the minute we met”. The connection they had was special beyond words. I attended a 5day full emersion training to become a handler for our newest family member. As I looked around the room of other recipients, it was obvious how careful TLCAD had been at selecting each family for their dogs. They matched each personality and the skill set of each dog to their new recipient perfectly. At the end of the week, we had a graduation ceremony at the Mule Creek State Prison. My husband and I were honored to become handlers and to meet the men that had put so much training into this remarkable animal. We felt the positive impact that it had on them and how proud they were to give back to the community.
Jackson came home and changed our lives. Our home is calmer now, just by his presence. Our son utilizes Jackson in so many ways. At the end of the last school year, Jackson would take him to school. One day, our son ran to the school fence and was too upset to start school and go to class. Jackson gave him a “kiss” through the fence, and that was all he needed to happily go back to begin his school day. Jackson helps him make friends when we go out in public or to the park. He can help motivate him to read or do homework by bringing me the book or focusing on the page that is challenging. Jackson snuggles with our son when he is sad or needs some extra sensory input. He goes almost everywhere with our child; to doctor appointments, soccer games, and even on family trips. We’ve seen an amazing turn around in his outlook on life. Our son recently told his Occupational Therapist, “I’m not mad anymore” and she wrote it down. A few minutes later he went back to that sentence, pointed at it and said, “This has always been my dream, and I’m happy”.

I am Karen Shultz. I have been a volunteer with Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs since 2003. I have definitely found my passion for helping those suffering the aftermath of war and those families dealing with autism on a daily basis. The organization has grown from training 1-3 dogs to now training over 50 dogs annually, allowing more custom trained service dog placements and impacting many more lives - leading individuals to greater independence and a fuller life. My passion has only grown stronger and I could not be prouder of this organization and its accomplishments. I have been a part of no greater gift.

TLC has been a wonderful addition to our program. We worked together to develop a dog training program with juvenile female youth. They now furlough service dogs in training from the POOCH program. This is has been a transformative, positive experience for all. The youth develop transferable skills they can use later on in life, contribute to the community through service, and gain the therapeutic benefit of having a dog in their lives. The staff are highly professional, compassionate, and knowledgeable trainers. We are so fortunate to collaborate with such an awesome agency.

Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs is an organization that represents a virtuous circle concept. Every entity it touches receives benefits, recipients, staff, prisoners and the dogs, that positively changes their lives. There are no losers.

I'm so pleased to be a small part of this effort!

Jim Hyldahl

To work with dogs as well as offenders in prison who are learning a better way of being (through positive reinforcement, which affects not only the dogs, but also their personal relationships and prepares them for life outside, is a win-win for all. Add to that the fact that those who ultimately receive the dogs as service dogs will have their lives so enriched makes volunteering with TLCAD an exemplary experience. Win-win-win. It doesn't get any better than that!

I've always been a dog person and knew about service dogs but never gave them much thought. My Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo, has a Foundation and a couple of years ago one of our members proposed TLCAD as a Grant recipient. I was on the Board and they sounded like a great organization so we approved. The Executive Director showed up to receive the Grant with one of their dogs and told their story. It was so impressive! It became apparent to me that it's not just a win for the military Vet or military family member who receives a service dog, it's also a huge win for the prisoners who have a wonderful purpose during their two year training period. We were offered an opportunity to visit the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base Brig where one of their programs is in place and it was so impressive. TLCAD is making a huge difference in the lives of so many people. They very much deserve strong support!

Tender Loving Canines was absolutely wonderful to work with. Their team of trainers and staff members are extremely passionate and knowledgeable and went above and beyond providing us with the support, training and education needed for our facility dog placement, Stevie.

We at Hospice of the North Coast and Pacifica House are so thankful that we were introduced to TCLAD earlier this year for the incredible opportunity to have a Facility Dog to offer as therapeutic intervention to not only our patients and families but to staff as well! We are very unique in that our facility is a home-like setting that provides critical care to the hospice patient. In a space where emotions run high and patient's are very sick, the ability to offer the tender, loving presence of a canine staff member is above and beyond any other intervention. The environment having a dog creates is so peaceful, light and joyful. Dogs are sensitive to people's needs and add that extra special touch of compassion and care that cannot be achieved any other way. Stevie has already made such an impact in the short time she has been here. Now that she is certified we are ready to put Stevie's skills to work purposefully for the effect of lessening end of life anxiety and agitation with our terminal patients as well as hoping for distraction therapy to help ease physical pain, and even reminiscing on pet experiences to ease psycho-social pain.
TCLAD has been an amazing partner training Stevie through the POOCH program and then transferring her skills and training methods to PH and to our staff who handles her on a regular basis. The impact Stevie will have will be exponential because of how many patients and families we see come through our doors- She will have an incredible working life with us providing love and companionship to our population.

TLCAD is an amazing organization that gives back to the San Diego community in many ways, not only by providing service dogs to individuals with disabilities but by helping to rehabilitate inmates and giving a second chance to shelter dogs. Their professionalism and dedication to best practice methods in training and placing service dogs helps to raise the standards of the field.

TLCAD is an invaluable organization which helps Veterans regain their independence, as well as helping to empower children with Autism. TLCAD has recognized the needs within its community, and strives to help those in their community to lead independent and happy lives, with the help of one of their specially, extended customized-trained service dogs. It is in this partnership where people can thrive in their daily lives. These service dogs have helped to save lives, as well as returning families to their family unit, helping to give people a big part of their world back, or introduce people to new experiences.

It was a pleasure working with the TLCAD team as we worked closely on the organization's rebrand efforts. The leadership takes their role in the community very seriously and is always looking for ways to extend their reach to have the most positive impact on individuals who would benefit from having an assistance dog. They truly are transforming lives.

They work great with us as a govt agency and their clients. Very professional and compassionate organization.

I am the local chairperson for Tee it Up for the Troops and have been our charities internal champion for Tender Loving Canines. Karen and her team of talented trainers are simply one f the finest groups of people that I have ever been associated with and I am proud to be their representative within my organization.

At Tee it Up for the Troops our mission is to focus our fund raising efforts toward having an immediate and personal impact for veterans and their families at both the local and national level. Tender Loving Canines exactly meets that goal by providing service dogs that help our wounded military veterans cope with their wounds both seen and unseen. The dogs that they train and provide to our warriors help them manage daily issues that they face (mobility related issues as well as PTSD).

The training team takes great care to match dogs with veterans based upon their needs, but it doesn't stop once a dog is placed. TLC works with each veteran to understand how the dog can assist them and teaches each of them how to continue to re-emphasize the training that the dog has learned. When dogs grow to old to continue their work, TLC works closely with that veteran full the rest of their lives to make sure that their needs continue to be met.

Karen and the entire TLC team are simply the very best and I am lucky to have gotten to know each of them ad count them as friends.

My name is Jessica Hargis and I'm a medically retired Marine. I was stationed in the Wounded Warriors Battalion West as a paitent and thats where TLC saved my life.

TLC is an amazing organization. They do not just give out a service dog by going down a list. They find the best match for every service dog they place. Every person I have ever met that works with them have been nothing but amazing, genuinely caring and would bend over backwards to do everything they can to help.

My life was completely turned upside down from my medical disabilities. The first day I met with TLC I asked for the biggest scariest service dog to be paired with me. But they decided to try me with the sweetest smallest golden I had ever seen. I was relunctent but TLC was right with putting us together.
The longer we trained together the more I saw a change in myself for the better. She was slowly giving me the ability to have my life back.
I'm now able to leave my house! I can complete normal day to day functions! I do still have problems but at least I get to live my life how I want to live and its all thank's to TLC.
My service dog Sasha and I are inseparable. She's my best friend and their really are no words to express how thankful I am for you guys pairing us together.
All I can say is thank you TLC!!!

Our foundation has been funding this org since our inception. in addition to providing service dogs, they also do a lot of consulting and training with other organizations. Wed efinitely are pleased with the "bang" we get for our buck.

TLCAD takes a personal and dedicated approach with its clients and their dogs. The clients' needs are continuously monitored in order to ensure that the service dog meets the clients' needs. TLCAD staff members follow the client and the dog for the life of the client ensuring that they are able to maintain the quality of life and independence that the client deserves. Great organization that wants to serve as many clients in San Diego county as possible! The dogs are changing lives! Thank you for your support in the past and most appreciated in the future.

Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs is a great organization that places working dogs with folks who need them the most; our wounded veterans and people with autism. Seeing how a dog can make such a huge difference for someone with mobility issues or allow an autistic child to experience life better makes volunteering more than worthwhile.

This organization has been instilling my family and me with false hopes for nearly 6 years now. Notice how only 2 of TLCAD reviews are from dog recipients. The rest are from volunteers, trainers, etc. The sad truth is that TLCAD rarely places dogs at all as far as we can tell. Nobody in our special needs community has ever received one from TLCAD. Nobody seems to ever get rejected either--you just languish on the wait list with no estimate of how many months or years you might still have to wait. What's more, they've at least once asked us if we'd consider paying the full fee for a service dog (around $20K), claiming they were short on funds and trying to "weed out" their waiting list. Desperate, we actually said yes we would consider paying $20K. That was 3 years ago. No word from TLCAD since except to send us automated fundraising requests. If TLCAD service dogs are so scarce, we're in no position to judge. But don't put families through hours and hours of your exhausting application process if you don't anticipate placing any service dogs for some years to come. It's ok if your waitlist is forever closed--just say so!

I started volunteering with Tender Loving Canines back in March, after meeting the staff and trainers I was hooked!! Just the name of the organization says so much. The tender loving care that goes into training these dogs to serve our wounded warriors and children with Autism is just heart warming. Positive loving and gentleness to bring out the best in these dogs. I've learned so much through the trainers allowing me to watch and attend some of the training sessions. Their passion for these animals and the clients they serve is overwhelming. I feel very blessed and honored to work with such fine loving and enjoyable people. I encourage those who want to volunteer for an organization that not only steals YOUR heart but will show you how you can make a difference in transforming a life of our dearly loved wounded hero's or a child with Autism. I LOVE what TLCAD stands for, their passion and dedication to transforming lives and being around such a loving and fun group of people.

As a volunteer for TLCAD I see the result of the collective efforts for each recipient of those services provided. Not only does the person benefit, but so does the family, in many cases the dog (particularly if a rescue), the community and the inmates who are training the dogs. For me, this organization touches on three very important and personal goals; give back to our wounded warriors, assist families touched by autism and nurture and enjoy the amazing bond between humans and dogs. My life has also been enriched through the volunteers I've met and work with.

I am a clinical psychology doctoral student currently working with TLCAD on a research project that will bring awareness of the benefits of service dogs among veterans diagnosed with PTSD. TLCAD has gone above and beyond in their partnership with me and the rest of my research team. It was apparent quite immediately how committed and driven the staff are at TLCAD; these are a group of individuals who truly care about and believe in what they do. I am honored to be working with this organization on our research to help make service dogs a more recognized option to our service men and women who are currently struggling with symptoms of PTSD.

TLCAD placed a service dog with my 8 year old daughter who has autism and a mitochondria disorder. They are so thoughtful and attentive about placing the right dog with the right client. This resulted in getting the most wonderful Labordoodle named Solar, who was not only custom trained to fit my daughters needs but he fits in our family perfectly. Our trainer worked with us diligently before, during and after our dogs placement. The best thing about TLCAD is that they don't just give you a great dog and say "Good luck!" They remain available to help you whenever you need it. As my daughter grows and her needs change our trainer is always there to help Solar adjust. This service dog they have provided has changed our lives and has given my daughter independence and a best friend!

I was first introduced to TLCAD a few years ago when I was producing segment about service animals. The series was called The Healing Power of Pets and TLCAD featured two heart warming stories with successful matches they had made in the families homes. I have seen the success and the families lives changed. I've interviewed and met the men, women and children who have been impacted by the service that TLCAD provides and to say it shifts their lives forever would be an understatement. It is a profound impact that they make. Not to mention, these dogs are trained for 18 months before they go into a home and are placed with such delicacy to make sure it is the right match. I have filmed and worked with dozens of nonprofits as a producer making short documentaries, but none have made the impact and the dedication to their clients as TLCAD.

I truly witnessed the healing power that the service animals they provide. It is real and it's unforgettable.

I have been a volunteer trainer for TLCAD for almost one year. I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve at such a top-notch organization.

I am one of the fortunate ones who received a Service Dog, Laci, through TLCAD. It was almost ten years ago now that I first sent in my application, full of hope, very excited and wondering where it would lead me. What I found was a dedicated, highly skilled, loving group of people, all volunteers, who wanted more than anything to help me better my wheelchair-bound life, with the assistance and companionship of the dog they'd trained precisely with my needs in view. This involved my working closely with the Trainers, learning how to handle this highly trained dog. Not only did I get Laci, my beautiful black English Lab, as part of my life, but I also found wonderful friends among the Trainers. All combined to greatly enrich, enliven, and enhance my life. Thank you, Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs!

I have been a dog trainer with Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs for over ten years now. I learn daily from our dogs in training and our clients. The journey is a wonderful one of learning what the client needs to make their life more independent, what the dog might do to help them, and then how can the dog be trained to do the tasks needed for the client to lead a more fulfilling life. Transforming the client's life, their family and community by allowing them more independence - is the result toward making their world much bigger than what they were experiencing when we first met them. I have given no greater gift while volunteering for Tender Loving Canines than a custom trained service dog. It is now my passion.

I am a psychology doctoral student who has been working with TLCAD on a research project looking at how effective and meaningful their service dogs are in helping veterans recover from PTSD. It has been wonderful experience. The staff have been willing to work with our research team and we have learn so much from them. We look forward to further collaboration. The work that TLCAD does is truly wonderful!

Tender Loving Canine Assistance Dogs placed a Facility Dog "Dottie" at The Winston School in Del Mar California in the fall of 2013. Since that placement Dottie has become an invaluable asset to the school and increases students abilities to achieve academic goals each and everyday. Thank You TLCAD!!!!!

Yes, TLCAD is outstanding in customizing service dogs for individuals living with autism. And, yes, they are exceptional at training dogs to meet the unique needs of Wounded Warriors. But, here is more great news. TLCAD is now launching new partnerships to establish a community of caring using service dogs. From exploring new partnerships with correctional facilities to provide inmates with opportunities to give back to society, to reaching out to shelter dog organizations to discuss new ideas about advancing the use of shelter dogs for service, to building a roster of qualified, professional service dog trainers----TLCAD is bringing everyone together to make sure that individuals with autism and Wounded Warriors have the dogs they need for greater independence.

This is a win, win for everyone in our community. I was fortunate to work with TLCAD when they decided embark on innovative directions to use their work to change the lives of so many. Often, when we talk about a nonprofit we speak about the work they do for the community. We should also speak about their leadership. TLCAD fosters an environment of leaders in each staff member which has created a organization that excels in achieving its vision of transforming lives with service dogs, one trainer at a time. They are giving hope not only to children and veterans, but also to those who may have lost hope and dogs desiring a loving home.

TLCAD is creating a community of caring that welcomes us all. Now that's a success story!

I oversee up to 200 interns a year at California State University San Marcos in the areas of Kinesiology and Health Science. Off and on through the past three years, we have had students placed with TLCAD. It has been one of the most remarkable and rewarding internships I have seen my students experience. This is an outstanding non-profit organization that helps to change and improve lives-not only for the individuals and the dogs placed with them but for the families and volunteers connected to them. Dr. Laura de Ghetaldi, Department of Kinesiology, College of Education, Health and Human Services, CSUSM

I am a special education teacher that works with children diagnosed with autism. About 3 years ago, TLCAD offered one of their facility dogs, Magic, to my school. I was the lucky one that accepted Magic into my life. TLCAD trained me extensively and continue to support me if needed. He comes to work with me daily to work with many of the students. They enjoy playing games with him, brushing him, walking him, and snuggling with him. It is so neat to see the interactions between my students and Magic. I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to become a facility dog handler. It has enhanced my experiences with my students because they look forward to spending time with Magic. TLCAD does wonderful work for those with disabilities. Keep it up TLCAD!!

My son Garrett received a service dog named Ruby from TLCAD three years ago.

We had almost given up as we were turned down by so many other companies. Tender Loving Care Assistance Dogs was the only company that would even consider working with us as Garrett has severe autism. They took the time to come to our home, interview us and evaluate his needs. From then on I knew our prayers had been answered. Tender Loving Care Assistance Dogs is made up of a team of specialists who are professional, caring and committed. The training they provide is amazing and they include every detail that is necessary to succeed.

Because of TLCAD and the wonderful skilled staff which includes an Autism Specialist, my son Garrett is a much happier child. As a family we too are happier as we are able do so much more because of them, and when we go places Garrett is safe. Thank you Tender Loving Care Assistance Dogs for bringing Ruby into our lives and making such a positive difference!

Caroline Tingum

I have had the pleasure of being involved with TLCAD for over a year and am so impressed by their commitment to ensuring that their clients and dogs are well matched and set up for success. Kind, professional, caring group of people doing GREAT things for Wounded Warriors and children with Autism. They only use positive training methods, and the results show. Their dogs are happy and well trained, and truly transform the lives of their clients, their families, and the communities they live in. Keep up the great work!