We've Got Big News This July

We're Building Something That Changes Everything

Twenty-six years ago, Peggy Law started Service Dogs of Virginia in her garage. In a lot of ways, we're still there.

We've moved three times since — donated spaces, discounted rent, always making it work. We finally own our current space. But walk inside and you'll find the same limitations Peggy had on day one: no kennels, no whelping space, no room to grow.

That's why people wait two years for a service dog, and why some of our highest-need programs have had to stop taking applications.

With no kennels, dogs in advanced training go home overnight with staff and volunteers — so the number we can train is capped by how many people can house one, not by how many our community needs. With no whelp-safe space, every litter means borrowing a location and hauling in equipment, which limits how many litters we can even plan for.

We've outgrown the space.

That’s why we’re building a new facility.

We already own 39 acres 20 minutes northeast of Charlottesville — enough land to meet the county's requirement that kennels sit at least 500 feet from neighboring properties. We've worked with a local architect to design a facility that's actually built for what we do, instead of adapting to a space that wasn't.

What the new facility gives us:

On-site kennel — dogs in training stay with us, instead of going home with volunteers overnight
Two dedicated whelping spaces — no more borrowing a room and hauling in equipment every time we have a litter
Multiple training rooms — so our trainers are never stuck waiting because one space is already in use

All of it adds up to more dogs trained, and more Virginians matched with the service dog they need.

Construction is already underway. Crews are clearing the lot and establishing site access now, laying the groundwork for concrete work and prefabricated panels arriving later this summer.

Will you help us finish?

We are close to the finish line — having raised over 79% of our $6.6 million goal. We invite you to help us get there. Help us fortify SDV for the road ahead and decrease the number of individuals and families waiting for a service dog.

Your support will help more Virginians in need for many years to come.

Visit Together We Build to learn more and make a donation

TOGETHER WE BUILD

Congratulations, Isabel & SDV Perry!

Isabel and SDV Perry are officially a team!

Perry and Isabel just completed Transfer Camp together — the final step before heading out into the world as a team. As Isabel heads to college this fall, Perry will be right there for the crowded lecture halls, the new routines, and everything unfamiliar about starting somewhere new.

(And talk about good timing — Perry turned 2 on July 4th, just as this new chapter begins.)

None of this happens without the people who got Perry here. Thank you to every donor, his puppy raiser Tina, nights and weekends foster David and Jessica and all who supported him along the way — this is your win too.

Help us make more teams like this possible.

DONATE TODAY

The Dogs Have Been Unleashed!

The dogs have been unleashed — 20 hand-painted statues are just waiting for you to come see them. Most are right here in Albemarle County, with others scattered as far as Alexandria, the Richmond area, and Somerset and Woodstock, Virginia.

They'll be on display through mid-September, so there's time to plan a road trip and see them all. Fair warning: they're even more beautiful in person than in photos.

Find your favorite — it could be yours. Every statue goes up for auction at Art Unleashed on October 24 at The CODE Building in Charlottesville.

A big thank you to all of our artists, statue sponsors, and location sponsors who made this possible.

Visit our Art Unleashed webpage to see where every statue is located and get all the details on the auction.

ART UNLEASHED

SDV Board Member Serena Benenson and George Carter, owner of Ivy Nursery — location of the "Henri Rousseau's Virginia Labrador" statue.

Let’s Stay Connected!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for daily dog updates, heartwarming success stories, and program news. Sharing our content is one of the easiest ways to support SDV!

Follow & Share on Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn