OUR PROGRAMS
AWARENESS FOR
VETERINARIANS PROGRAM
Training veterinary professionals to better serve service dogs and their users.
About the Program
The Awareness For Veterinarians Program trains veterinary professionals to better understand and serve service dogs and their users. This program bridges the gap between veterinary medicine and the service dog community, ensuring that the professionals who care for these dogs understand their unique needs.
What We Do
- Develop and deliver educational presentations for veterinary clinics and hospitals
- Train veterinary staff on the unique needs of service dogs and their users
- Educate veterinarians on the legal rights of service dog users in veterinary settings
- Provide guidance on handling service dogs differently from pet patients
- Create educational materials specifically designed for veterinary professionals
Key Training Topics
Equipping veterinary staff with the knowledge to handle service dogs.
The Impact
Many veterinary professionals have never received formal training on working with service dog teams. This can lead to awkward interactions, inadequate accommodations, and even unsafe handling practices. Our program changes that by bringing education directly to veterinary clinics and hospitals.
Since launching in 2014, we've trained veterinary professionals across the country, improving the experience for many service dog teams at their vet visits.
Why It Matters
Service dogs require regular veterinary care, just like any other dog. But the experience of visiting the vet is fundamentally different for a user with a disability and their service dog. By training veterinary professionals to understand these differences, we create better outcomes for both the dogs and their users.
IN THE CLINIC
VETERINARY OUTREACH
Understanding the Differences
Get Involved
Want to support this program? There are many ways to contribute, from volunteering to donations.