Because of you, we are able to:

• Train service dogs with reliable public access skills and life-changing tasks

• Match and place dogs with individuals, families, and community partners who need them most

• Provide ongoing support so each team has the guidance and follow-up needed to succeed

Every gift moves a dog forward—one training session, one outing, and one milestone at a time—until they’re ready to change a life.

Big Plans for 2026

We’re stepping into 2026 with big momentum and exciting growth ahead. In the months to come, we’ll be sharing updates on:

• Our new facility plans and progress

• Start of our prison program, helping us train more dogs while creating powerful opportunities for the people involved

We can’t wait to bring you behind the scenes as these programs develop.

Born on October 28, 2025, Barnaby comes to us from Paws4People in North Carolina. He’ll spend his first year with puppy raiser Tina, learning basic cues and attending puppy classes.

Barnaby was named in honor of the Catesby Foundation, whose generous support helps make our work—and pups like Barnaby—possible.

Mark your calendar — two big events are already on the schedule for this year!

Graduation will take place Saturday, November 14 at The Center at Belvedere. Save the date and plan to join us as we celebrate our newest SDV teams.

And while 2026 might be the Year of the Horse—at SDV, it’s the Year of the Dog with Art Unleashed! Art Unleashed is a community art project featuring dog-themed sculptures painted by local artists to celebrate Service Dogs of Virginia and raise support for our new facility.

Starting in July, the dogs will be displayed throughout Charlottesville through September. Then we’ll auction them off on October 24.

For more info on Art Unleashed, click here. More details about both events are coming soon!

We’ve all been there—someone slips off the shopping list. Skip the stress and give a gift that keeps giving: sponsor a service dog in training. Your sponsorship helps provide essential care and training for the dogs working hard today to become life-changing partners tomorrow.

Let’s Stay Connected!
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