Meet Our Teams
Since 2000, Service Dogs of Virginia has successfully placed over 100 dogs with clients throughout Virginia. The ultimate measure of success is when a person is able to return to work, attend school safely, use fewer personal care attendant hours, and find increased personal freedom, safety, independence, companionship, and happiness. The support we receive from individuals, foundations, businesses, and the community is critical to helping us raise and train service dogs to assist people with disabilities. SDV receives no support from the government and service dogs are not covered by medical insurance. The gift our dogs give is priceless. And the individuals who receive a dog are forever grateful.
Tamera and Irene
Irene does double duty for Tamera by alerting for low blood sugar and dropping cortisol levels. Tamera developed hypoglycemia and Addison’s disease after she was stung by a wasp. Her body’s response to the sting was to go into autoimmune overdrive. Irene helps Tamera continue her work as an EMT in a busy emergency room but keeps her out of the emergency room as a patient.
Caroline and Baldwin
Caroline’s mom Ashley applied for an Autism Service Dog to help with Caroline’s meltdowns and elopement. Baldwin is able to help ease Caroline’s anxiety by laying across her body for deep pressure therapy or by placing her head in Caroline’s lap so Caroline can pet her.
From Ashley: Keeping Caroline calm in with me in a busy, loud arcade. Caroline didn't run off and stayed with me while we walked around, Baldwin did great stay with Caroline and remained in a "wait" cue while Caroline did racing games. They're such a great pair and really have bonded so well. Even though cues can be challenging during meltdowns because there's so much movement going on, Baldwin will look to Caroline and go up to her during those moments and not back away like a lot of animals would. I think Caroline recognizes that too because she lets Baldwin stay near her when she's having a difficult time. I've noticed a few times while I was driving and Caroline got upset, Baldwin would one her own lay her head on Caroline's lap or sit right near Caroline and lean on her! All on her own without me saying anything or showing her what to do. She really seems to be genuinely caring and loves Caroline. It's so amazing to see and experience.
Sarah and Wagner
Rami and Josie
Sarah an Rami work as a counselors at Virginia Tech’s Cook Counseling Center. It's a large counseling center, serving a huge population of students and employees. Wagner and Josie can give a hug, lay in a lap, and lend an ear. Wagner and Josie work along with facility dog Derek providing emotional support to VA tech students. Click on the picture to hear about Rami’s and Josie’s work.
Victor and Holly
As a army member who works at the Pentagon, Victor needed constant, non-judgmental presence who could help him manage his symptoms of PTSD in a stressful and hectic environment. His service dog, Holly, is there everywhere he goes. With Holly by his side, Victor has been able to be present in the moment and enjoy life again.
“She keeps her eye on her forever human. Making a difference she’s too humble to understand. She brings peace to those who don’t happen to be by my side.” Victor
Sarah and teak
The world can be overwhelming for a child on the autism spectrum. Teak accompanies Sarah out on outings with her family to decrease anxiety and helps de-escalate an emotional meltdown. Sarah is more willing to participate in activities when Teak is with her. At bedtime, Teak helps settle Sarah for the night. Teak’s handler are Sarah’s mom, Carrie.
“She (Sarah) definitely seeks him(Teak) out for comforting and enjoyment. It is a beautiful thing to watch!” - Carrie
Michelle and Dottie
Michelle is an Army veteran with PTSD. She is a second-grade teacher and Dottie is in the classroom with her. Dottie loves children so she is the perfect service dog for Michelle. Dottie helps Michelle go more places, participate in more of her own kids’ activities, alerts her when she becomes anxious.
Emily and William
Emily is a social worker at ReadyKids and William works with her as a facility dog. ReadyKids is a non-profit that provides the Charlottesville area with counseling for children who experienced trauma, family support, and early learning opportunities. If a child or teen wants William in a counseling session, he is there to provide non-judgmental support and soft ears to scratch.
Learn more about the Facility Dogs at ReadyKids by clicking on the picture.
Nicholas and Bobbi
Nick is a young boy with a challenging diagnosis of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. When under stress, Nick’s mast cells produce excessive amounts of histamine that put him at risk of anaphylaxis. Bobbi is trained to alert Nick’s parents when his histamine levels start to rise. Nick’s mom, Brittany, is the dog handler.
Joel and Spirit
After serving in the army, Joel had a hard time assimilating into civilian life. After receiving a diagnosis of PTSD and joining several support groups, Joel still felt he needed something else. Enter Spirit. Spirit helps Joel manage his symptoms of PTSD and goes everywhere with Joel including trips to Disney!
“If I'm in line, which a lot of times, people tend to get in everybody's personal space because we're in a rush. Spirit will be able to go ahead, and he'll stand between my legs. I can know that he's there, because I can feel him leaning up against me, and I know that he's there and I'm safe with him” - Joel
Kiera and bonnie
Kiera is a law school student who plans on being an advocate for individuals with disabilities. Bonnie is her physical assistance dog and her medical alert dog. Kiera has no pituitary gland, so among many challenges, she fatigues easily and has difficulty with low blood sugar episodes. Bonnie helps Kiera walk steadily and alerts her for low blood sugar.
Brendan and manci
With one semester left in college, Brendan was about to drop out. With the help of Manci, he graduated from West Virginia University and is now working and living in his first apartment. Manci is Brendan’s go-to for increased independence and support and she helps him in social situations that are uncomfortable for him.
Lilly and Sue
Lilly had an accident that resulted in quadriplegia. A lifelong dog lover, she realized that a service dog could help her live more fully and give her back some of the independence she lost. Sue is there to open doors, retrieve items, and get help if needed. Like many people with physical assistance dogs, Lilly feels more confident home alone with Sue there.
Bruce and Whit
Bruce is a quadriplegic and an amazing artist. He draws by holding a pencil in his mouth. Whit will be right there to pick up the pencil if Bruce drops it. Whit also opens doors, retrieves items, and gets help if Bruce needs it. Previously, Bruce had a service dog from SDV, Cole, who is now retired.
Reagan and pearl
Reagan is a brain tumor survivor. As a result of the brain tumor, she developed, Addison’s disease, a adrenal insufficiency disorder. Her body doesn’t recognize if she sick, injured, or under major stress. Since she is unable to naturally produce cortisol, she can go into adrenal shock quickly and die without proper treatment. Pearl’s job is to alert her when her levels are too low.
Reagan, “ Pearl can sense my levels through her amazing sense of smell before there are any physical signs that I may be going into adrenal crisis. The thought of becoming independent and living on my own made me very nervous. Even things like going to the store or school by myself made me anxious. My mom could always tell if I didn’t look like I felt good. All of my worries disappeared when Pearl started alerting me on the first day of training with her! She knows when I need meds before I do and has me on a better schedule with my medications than the doctors ever did. I now feel more safe and secure with my health than ever before, and it’s all thanks to my Pearly girl. She is also the best friend a girl could ask for. I cannot imagine my life without her! I am attending college and living independently with her support.”
Maria and Dougan
Meet Maria and her Autism Service Dog Dougan. Click on the picture to hear Maria describes her relationship with Dougan and what he does for her.
Todd and Gus
Todd is a counselor at Appalachian State University and Gus is his facility dog. Gus, who is a very large Labrador, and has become the big man on campus in no time. He is there to reduce stress and anxiety, and to make students feel comfortable when seeking therapy. Click on the image to learn about Gus’ impact.
Christine and Ruffin
Christine has a chronic disease of the central nervous system that causes her to fall, have trouble walking and picking items up. Without Ruffin, Christine would not be able to live independently. Ruffin is there to aid her when walking or retrieve her cell phone if there is trouble.
"The most invaluable experience with Ruffin is his ability to counterbalance me when I walk. I sometimes can’t move forward and need his pull to get my legs going. This is something he has learned on his own since being here. He seems to sense when I need to move forward without the “let’s go”. He is the most precious thing in my life! Thank you so much for matching us!".