Our Program Options:

Quality, consistency, and lifetime support—no matter which path you choose. At Mission: Service Dog, every program we offer is designed to provide lasting, life-changing partnerships. Whether you’re training your own dog or receiving one raised by our team, you can expect the same high standards, ongoing support, and thoughtful attention to detail. What’s Included in Every Program:

Lifetime access to follow-up training, including group classes and private sessions—even after graduation

A custom, professional-grade vest for each working dog, made from high-quality materials that stand up to daily use and frequent washing (some of our original vests are still going strong after 10+ years!)

All necessary training equipment included, tailored to each dog’s needs

For dogs in our care (puppies or program dogs in training), we also provide high-quality food, veterinary care, and enrichment

Every dog trained through Mission: Service Dog is held to a higher standard than ADA minimum requirements, and our graduation test ensures reliability and professionalism. To receive a graduation certificate, each dog must pass a rigorous public access test and successfully perform at least three trained tasks that directly mitigate their handler’s disability. With nearly 20 years of experience and many returning clients who trust us to train their second and third service dogs, our goal remains the same:To create partnerships that improve lives—today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

Service Dog-Program Dogs

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Our most comprehensive program—for those who need us to provide the dog

This program is designed for individuals who need a professionally selected and trained service dog provided by our team. Dogs in this program live and train with us full-time for approximately one year before being placed with their handler as an “almost fully trained” working partner.

We work with a small number of reputable breeders who specialize in health-tested lines with proven temperaments for service work. In some cases, we may also accept a dog into the program following a successful temperament evaluation.

Once the dog has completed several levels of training and is developmentally ready, they are matched to the handler whose needs align most closely with the dog’s natural strengths and personality.

🧩 Handler Involvement

Handlers are required to travel to Bentonville, AR for several consecutive days to learn how to work with their dog before returning home together.
Whenever possible, we invite handlers to attend group classes, lessons, or visits during the training year to build a bond and learn alongside their future dog.
This program includes lifetime follow-up training, so you’ll always have access to support—whether it’s a refresher, a tune-up, or help teaching new tasks as your needs evolve.

🐾 What’s Included

Selection and purchase of a service dog prospect
Full-time board, care, and vetting for approximately 12 months
All training equipment and basic supplies
Customized task and public access training
Lifetime group and private lesson access after graduation

⏳ Please Note

This is our most comprehensive and time-intensive program, with a longer waitlist due to the limited number of dogs we can train at one time. Puppy selection alone may take several months depending on breed, temperament needs, and availability. We are actively seeking puppy raisers and volunteers to expand capacity.

🧭 Is This Right for Me?

You need a service dog but aren’t able to train one yourself
You’re able to travel to Bentonville, AR for several consecutive days to complete handler training before bringing your dog home
You’re comfortable allowing us to select and train a dog over the course of approximately one year
You’re committed to ongoing training and building a strong bond with your dog
You’re willing to fundraise a portion of the program cost in partnership with our team
You understand this program typically ranges from $25,000 and up, depending on specific needs

If that sounds like a fit, we’d love to explore the next steps with you.

Owner-Handled

For handlers who want to be fully involved in the journey

Our Owner-Trained Program is designed for individuals who are fully capable of training their own service dog with professional guidance and support. In this program, the dog lives with the handler full time, and we work closely together to guide you through the entire process—from obedience to task work to public access readiness.

Participants must be able to travel to Bentonville, AR at least once every 8 weeks for in-person training sessions. These may include private lessons, group classes, and public outings tailored to your progress and goals.

Through this program, you’ll receive training in:

Public access readiness, including real-world distractions and environments
Service dog etiquette and how to navigate daily life with a working dog
Legal rights and responsibilities, including:
- Where service dogs are and aren’t allowed
- What businesses can and can’t ask
- How to professionally handle access challenges
- Setting boundaries with the public while remaining calm and confident
Custom task training, based on your individual needs
- We also offer training in bonus or crossover tasks that, while not required by your disability, may significantly improve your quality of life

Group classes are intentionally kept small to preserve privacy and build community. Many of our graduates have developed lasting friendships and continue to train together using public access “accountability buddies.”

Graduates of this program must pass a rigorous public access and task performance test that meets or exceeds ADA standards for service dogs.

If you’re ready to take an active role in your service dog’s training and build a deeper connection along the way, this program is a great fit.

🧭 Is This Right for Me?

You’re comfortable being hands-on in your dog’s daily training
You’re able to travel to Bentonville, AR at least once every 8 weeks
You want to build a deeper bond by being actively involved in every step
You’re committed to consistency, patience, and ongoing learning

If that sounds like you, we’d love to support your journey.

Facility Dogs/Therapy Dogs

Therapy dog training for clinical, therapeutic, and community settings

Our Facility Dog Program is designed for professionals who want a trained therapy dog to provide comfort and emotional support in their work with children, patients, or members of the public. These dogs are not service dogs for one individual—they’re trained to assist multiple people in a professional setting.

Whether you’re a private clinician, school counselor, therapist, or work in a healthcare or wellness setting, this program may be a perfect fit. We’ve previously trained dogs who now work in:

Nursing homes
Private psychiatric clinics
Doctor’s offices
Physical therapy centers
School counseling programs

We can either train a dog you already own (pending a temperament evaluation), or match you with a suitable candidate. In some cases, we may have a service dog-in-training who didn’t quite meet full service dog standards—but is perfectly suited for therapy work—waiting to be placed.

Facility dogs are taught:

Exceptional public manners
A solid place command
How to navigate clinical or therapeutic environments calmly and safely

If you’re looking to integrate a trained dog into your work to enhance client comfort and connection, this program is for you.

🧭 Is This Right for Me?

You work in a clinical, therapeutic, or educational setting and want a dog to support the people you serve
You’re looking for a well-mannered, professionally trained therapy dog to assist multiple individuals
You either have a suitable dog you’d like evaluated for training, or you’re open to being matched with one of ours
You’re committed to ongoing guidance, structure, and maintaining the dog’s training long-term
You want to enhance connection, comfort, and emotional well-being in your workplace or practice

If that sounds like your vision, we’d love to help bring it to life.

​Mission: Service Dog

Our Program Options:

Mission:
Service Dog