Canine Guardians Assistance Dogs

We train and match service dogs with veterans battling PTSD, first responders, and individuals with disabilities, at no cost to the recipient. Despite a two-year training process costing approximately $33,000/dog, every placement is funded through community support.

Our dogs learn 90 commands, guided by dedicated local “Puppy Parent” trainers who raise them at home. These volunteers are the heart of our program. Our dogs recognize signs of anxiety and distress, interrupt nightmares, support daily tasks, and rebuild recipients’ confidence and independence. Last year, we placed five dogs—a 13-year-old with muscular dystrophy, a seizure-alert recipient, an ex-DA threatened by gangs, and two PTSD veterans. Each story is one of resilience, and each dog, a cherished family member living a purposeful life.

We also serve the broader Napa Valley community through outreach programs, school visits, hospital and therapy center visits, and education for local businesses about ADA rules and the role service dogs play in public life.

Your support makes it possible to change lives for those who need it most. Our recipients tell us these dogs save lives, and with continued community investment, we can train more dogs, reach more individuals in need, and offer hope to more families.