CHAMP Assistance Dogs

ASSISTANCE DOG PROGRAMCHAMP trains and places assistance dogs to enhance life skills and increase the independence of individuals (children, adults and veterans) with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. It costs CHAMP up to $30,000 to train and place an assistance dog, but they are placed free-of-charge. CHAMP also trains and places facility dogs that work with a professional caregiver who serves as their handler in a child advocacy center, a courthouse, a medical facility or a school. Facility dogs help motivate a client or patient while helping them achieve their goals. In a child advocacy center or a courtroom a facility dog is available to comfort a child as they face a frightening or intimidating procedure in the criminal justice system.See Schedule O for continuation

EDUCATION PROGRAMCHAMP Education Programs are delivered by engaging speakers accompanied by service dogs-in-training and CHAMP Therapy Dogs. These community programs promote public education, focus on ability awareness, and provide demonstrations of service dog skills while increasing awareness of the health benefits and comfort dogs and cats can provide to people of all ages. Throughout the year, CHAMP touched the lives of approximately 6,000 children and adults through our education presentations.

THERAPY DOG PROGRAMCHAMP Therapy Dog Teams visit children and adults in hospitals, assisted living centers, hospice centers, medical facilities and schools. Interactions with a CHAMP Therapy Dog Team can relieve stress, lower heart rates, provide comfort during a stressful procedure or simply bring a comforting presence to students preparing for final exams. This is a free program that serves our community. Throughout the year, CHAMP Therapy Dog teams visited approximately 40,000 children and adults.