CANINES FOR SERVICE INC

Canines for Service (CFS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1996 and is the longest running, internationally accredited service dog provider in North Carolina. CFS provides highly trained service dogs nationally, at no cost or fundraising obligation, to Veterans from all conflicts with service-connected Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and mobility challenges.

Over four million United States Veterans, roughly 25% of all who have served have a service-connected disability and yet less than 1% of Veterans in need receive a Service Dog each year due to the cost ($20,000-$50,000).

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CFS relies on support from grants, private foundations, businesses, civic groups, and individuals to meet annual fundraising goals.
• Service dogs are partnered with Veterans from all conflicts with service-connected mobility challenges, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma.
• Service dogs provide essential human and health services and are classified by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) as a medical device. Service dogs may alleviate the symptoms of PTSD by providing a sense of safety and security, reduce anxiety and depression, increase serotonin levels, and lower the blood pressure of their handler.
• CFS dogs are trained for approximately 18-22 months, roughly 2,000 hours, and learn up to 90 commands including life-saving skills such as physical support for mobility, creating a protective buffer in public spaces, waking from night terrors, and assistance during a panic attack.
• CFS is just one of two organizations nationwide with an approved affiliation and authorization to enter a U.S. military base for education and training purposes. The military prison program (MCIE Brig) at Camp Lejeune located expands the organizations training capacity, provides valuable job-training skills, increases the number of skilled service dog trainers in the industry, decreases recidivism, and offers a positive trajectory and career alternatives post-incarceration, and increased awareness around service dog access and laws.
• In addition to our Service Dogs in Training, CFS provides a six-week Canines for Therapy (CFT) program which offers dog owners the opportunity to become registered therapy teams with their personal pet. These initiatives provide animal-assisted interventions in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, group homes, and treatment facilities in the community. With over 150 active teams in the Cape Fear and Triangle region we help to educate about the work and contributions of Service and Therapy Dogs as well as provide comfort and encouragement to those in need within our community.

We would like Veterans to know that they are not alone, and they will always have somewhere to turn for support. We turn to you for your support so that we may continue to provide highly trained Service Dogs to as many Veterans as possible at no cost or fundraising obligation.
We’ll transform your thoughtful gift into equipment, health care, and hours of training for a Service Dog to be placed with a Veteran. What better way to honor those who have made the sacrifice to serve than to provide them with the support they need today.
Every dollar helps to change a life. Thank you in advance for your contributions.