Arizona Assistance Dogs, located in Prescott Valley, Arizona, is a 501 c 3 nonprofit. Our mission is to enhance the lives of children and adults with disabilities for greater independence through the use of skilled assistance dogs and to educate and support working assistance dog teams to ensure quality partnerships.
Robyn Abels is our Founder and Executive Director. She co-founded an assistance dog nonprofit in Scottsdale, Arizona and served as the Associate Director (2001 – 2009) and then as the Executive Director (2009 – 2016) until her retirement. Six years after retirement Mrs. Abels felt the need to return to the assistance dog world and founded Arizona Assistance Dogs.
We raise, train and place dogs to work with children and adults with physical disabilities, Type 1 diabetics and to work with First Responders.
Our mobility assistance dogs are trained in 90 behaviors which include turning light switches on and off, opening and closing doors, retrieving dropped items and above all, providing love and companionship.
Diabetic Alert Dogs alert and signal to the change in blood glucose levels up to 30 minutes before the changes occur. This gives their person the opportunity to take action to prevent life threatening problems.
Our Electronic Device Detection Dogs are able to find digital media by scent (flash drives, hard drives, cell phones, etc.) that might contain information regarding crimes against children. These dogs also provide stress relief for First Responders. Police officers, FBI agents, fire fighters and medics face some of the most heinous crime scenes imaginable. Having the sweet face of a Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever in the office helps diffuse the stress the First Responders face every day.
Our volunteers and supporters are the life blood of our organization. The puppies are placed with our volunteer Puppy Raisers at 8 weeks of age. These wonderful people raise and train our puppies under our guidance for two years. At that time we place the dogs with our clients.
Our dogs choose the careers for which they are best suited. They have to love the work they do. If a dog wants to be a pet and not work for a living, that’s fine. They are placed as a family pet.
Please contact us if you are interested in being considered for an assistance dog.
As a nonprofit, we depend on our community for support and our success. Please consider joining us because, “Together We Do Great Things.” www.Azassistancedogs.dog
Arizona Assistance Dogs
7953 E. Sleepy Owl Way
Prescott Valley, AZ 86315
arizonaassistancedogs@gmail.com
