SDV is working to maintain a $250,000 general fund appropriation in the proposed Virginia State budget so we can expand capacity, place more dogs each year, and significantly reduce long wait times for children, adults, and veterans across the Commonwealth.

The Governor included this funding need in his proposed budget—now we must keep it there through the final budget vote in early March. The more Virginians who reach out to legislators, the stronger our position.

Will you take a few minutes today to contact your state senator and delegate?

Here’s how:

1. Find your Virginia State Senator and Delegate: https://whosmy.virginiageneralssembly.gov

2. Email or call your legislators using the contact information provided on their pages

3. Copy/paste or personalize the drafted message below

If you have questions, please contact Tina at tinafloyd@servicedogsva.org or call 434-295-9503.

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can help ensure more Virginians living with PTSD, autism, mobility challenges, medical conditions, and more can receive life-changing service dogs—now and for decades to come.

Message

Subject: Please Help Keep Funding for Service Dogs of Virginia in the Governors Budget

Dear Senator/Delegate [Last Name],

I am writing as your constituent to respectfully request your support to maintain the current general fund line item of $250,000 for Service Dogs of Virginia currently in the Governor’s proposed budget. 

Service Dogs of Virginia (SDV), a 501(c)(3) organization based in Charlottesville, raises, trains and places service dogs to assist people with disabilities to achieve greater independence.  We are fully accredited by Assistance Dogs International (the industry leading authority), and train dogs in 5 program areas including PTSD, Physical Assistance, Autism, Medical Alert and Facility Dog Placement.

SDV provides service dogs free of charge to our clients and provides support free of charge for the duration of the partnership. At present we have over 50 active client-dog teams located throughout the Commonwealth.

Current Challenges:  The constraints of our current space have severely limited the number of dogs we can train, making it impossible to serve the growing number of Virginians who could benefit from our dogs.  This demand far exceeds our current training capacity and wait times for eligible Virginians often exceed two years.   

Proposed Solution:  Increased program capacity through a new purpose-built facility will allow us to train and place at least 25 dogs each year, more than doubling our current capacity.

Statewide Benefits: Service dogs have been proven to provide benefits that reduce the demand for state resources. 

• Lower suicide risk among veterans and first responders living with PTSD

• More effective and faster progress in mental-health counseling, lowering overall treatment time and cost

• Reduced use of emergency medical services

• Decreased reliance on long-term or high-cost medications

• Improved behavioral health and daily functioning for children with autism, reducing the need for intensive support services

• Fewer hospitalizations related to unmanaged symptoms of PTSD or behavioral challenges

• Reduced reliance on homecare aids

And…beginning in 2026, the new prison-based service dog training program at Buckingham Correctional Center will extend these benefits further—improving inmate behavioral health, reducing institutional tensions, building job-ready skills, and helping lower recidivism.

Funding Request: I respectfully urge you to support the current appropriation in the Governor’s budget of $250,000 for Service Dogs of Virginia to fund their expanded programming. SDV has already raised 70% of the funds needed to complete the $6.3 million facility project through individual and foundation donations. We are just $2 million away from reaching our goal.

Thank you for your consideration and for your service to our Commonwealth.