My Nonprofit Reviews

As someone who was once a supporter of this organization, it has taken me some time to sit down and write this review. Let me begin by fully retracting my previous review, which is still posted on the HSD website. I got my dog, Jojo, from HSD back in September of 2022 after he completed a 6-month board and train program. Jojo's training at HSD left much to be desired, he came home not knowing basic commands like drop it, leave it, place. I initially brushed it off as him adapting to a new environment however over time, it became evident that Jojo's training did not meet the promised standards.

Jojo's transition to our home was more challenging than expected. He displayed behavioral issues that were not addressed during his time at HSD. He suffered from pica, a condition where he exhibited a tendency to ingest non-food items, specifically feces and soil. He also was not potty trained when he came home, leading to frequent accidents indoors. We would let Jojo outside every hour, however he would still pee inside the house without showing any sign of having to go outside. Jojo exhibited an unusual fear of his service dog vest, making it difficult for him to comfortably wear the equipment necessary for his role. He would run and hide whenever a harsher tone was used with him (not yelling literally just changing to a more serious tone.) After consulting with a professional trainer and a behaviorist, it was clear that Jojo showed signs of emotional trauma. He appeared to have a fear of corrections and quick-moving hands, which suggested past negative experiences. He also would submissively ;ay on his back and roll over when meeting new people.

Jojo also came home sick, and I have medical notes from just two days after our return to Boston, documenting crusted wounds on his belly due to a skin infection. At the time, I didn't fully grasp the gravity of this issue. HSD asserts that none of their dogs suffer from allergies while in their care. This assertion appears false, as Jojo could not have developed a skin infection related to a new environment within a mere 48 hours. So either HSD was not truthful or they failed to notice his infected skin, both of which are deeply concerning.In the midst of all these concerns, there was also a notable lack of comprehensive medical records for Jojo. Upon contacting the previous veterinary clinic he attended while at HSD, I was surprised to learn that his visits there were primarily to obtain vaccination certificates, rather than receiving thorough medical care or addressing his health issues.

Additionally, there have been rumors circulating that Jojo's health issues began after he was a victim of targeted poisoning. I want to clarify that this is not true. Jojo had visited the vet 36 times prior to the poisoning incident ( a disgruntled neighbor had left poisoned meat out ) Nearly all of these visits were related to stomach issues, allergies, and tremors he was experiencing. Jojo has since been diagnosed with IBD, epilepsy, and severe allergies, with his vet stating that his case of IBD is one of the worst she's ever seen. HSD has claimed that they asked to speak to my vet and I denied. This is bogus as I was never asked anything of the sorts.

I want to emphasize that I'm not alone in my experiences, as I'm in contact with multiple handlers who have faced similar issues. Positive experiences with HSD should not invalidate the experiences of those who have had negative encounters. I urge anyone considering acquiring a dog from this organization to conduct thorough research before making a decision. You can get way better training for extremely less pretty much everywhere else. I also implore you to look at reviews from Dream Dogz and Heart and Soul dog training on google and yelp before making any decisions