Service dog
Task-trained to support one person with a disability: mobility assistance, medical alert, psychiatric grounding, and more.
12–24 monthsLaunching soon · Johnson County, Kansas
Rescued from the shelter. Trained for duty.
We're a new nonprofit on a mission to rescue dogs at risk of euthanasia from Kansas City–area shelters, raise them in trained foster homes, and train them as service and therapy dogs, placed at no cost with people living with disabilities.
We're ramping up now. Tell us you're interested and we'll reach out as each program opens.
- Service dogs placed at no cost
- Every dog raised in a foster home
- No dog left behind
Why we exist
Two needs. One mission.
In the shelter
Good dogs run out of time every day, not because of who they are, but because there's nowhere left for them to go.
In our community
People living with disabilities can wait years for a trained service dog, and the cost puts one out of reach for many.
We're building a bridge between the two: dogs who need a second chance, and people who need a partner, trained to the field's benchmarks and placed at no cost.
$0Cost of a service dog to the person who receives it
12–24Months of training planned for every service dog
100%Of veterinary costs covered for fosters
How it will work
From the shelter to saving lives.
Every dog will follow the same four-step journey, with a trainer and a foster family beside it the whole way.
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Days 0–7
Rescue
We'll pull at-risk dogs from local shelters after a trainer reviews their behavior and health. Every dog will get a full vet exam, vaccines, and a microchip.
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From day 3
Foster
Each dog will go straight into a screened, trained foster home to decompress and learn the basics of family life.
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3–24 months
Train
Foundation obedience, then service or therapy training, then real-world public-access testing before graduation.
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At no cost
Place
We'll match each dog with the right person or organization, train them together as a team, and follow up for a full year.
The service dog track, step by step
Therapy dogs usually finish in 3–6 months.Every dog has a place
Three paths. One promise.
After a few weeks in foster, our head trainer and foster coordinator will choose the path that fits each dog best.
Therapy dog
Trained for calm, comforting visits in hospitals, schools, courthouses, and hospice programs, alongside a trained handler.
3–6 monthsCompanion
Some dogs are simply meant to be family. They'll be adopted into loving homes through our adoption program.
A proud outcomeOur promise No dog will ever be euthanized or given up for not finishing training. Every dog that comes to us will find a home.
Who we serve
A trained partner, at no cost.
For people living with disabilities
Service dog placement
A fully trained service dog, matched to the everyday tasks you need help with: mobility support, medical alert, psychiatric grounding, hearing support, and more.
- No cost for the dog
- Matched to your specific tasks
- Team training with your new dog
- Follow-up at 2 weeks, then 1, 3, 6, and 12 months
Applications aren't open yet. Join the interest list and we'll contact you when they open. You'll never be asked to share a diagnosis.
Join the interest listFor hospitals, schools & care organizations
Therapy dog partnerships
Calm, well-trained therapy dogs and handlers for hospitals, schools, courthouses, and hospice programs, under a simple partnership agreement.
- Handler training for your staff
- Meets your facility's visitor requirements
- Dog welfare built into every visit
We'll begin therapy partnerships as our first dogs complete training.
Register your interestThe heart of the mission
Fosters are our facility.
We won't run kennels. Every dog will live in a foster home from day one, decompressing, learning, and getting ready for its future. That makes fosters the most important part of everything we do.
You don't need to be a trainer, just a safe home, a steady routine, and a willingness to learn alongside your dog. We're building our foster network now, ahead of our first dogs.
What you'll do
- Provide a safe, quiet home and a steady daily routine
- Follow a simple plan and homework from our trainers
- Join weekly check-ins and, as training grows, public outings
What we'll provide
- 100% of veterinary costs
- Food, a crate, a leash and harness, and basic gear
- A dedicated trainer as your point of contact
- A 24/7 emergency line
Get involved
Lend a hand, or a set of wheels.
Fosters can't do it alone. Pick the kind of help that fits your life.
TransportShelter pulls and vet runs
Foster supportWalks, breaks, and backup care
EventsCommunity days and outreach
Admin supportPaperwork, scheduling, records
Trainer aideHelp at training sessions
Social mediaHelp tell Charlie's story
Board committeesGovernance and planning
Your skill herePhotographers, vets, grant writers…
Now building our team
Foster & volunteer coordinator
Head trainer
Veterinary partner
Development coordinator
I'm interested in volunteering
Roles with client contact, like service or therapy dog placements, require a background check.
Partner with us
Shelters and vets in the KC metro
We're building pull agreements with local shelters and partnerships with veterinary clinics. If you'd like to work together, we'd love to talk.
Our standards
Built on the field's benchmarks
ADI and IAADP benchmarksOur curriculum is built on Assistance Dogs International benchmarks and the IAADP minimum: at least 120 hours of training over six months or more.
Certified trainersTrainer certification through the UK-accredited Canine Behavioral College.
Tested in publicEvery service dog will need to pass a public-access test before graduation.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Are you accepting applications now?
Not yet. We're ramping up, so for now we're collecting interest. Tell us what you'd like to be part of and we'll reach out as each program opens.
Is there a cost for a service dog?
No. Service dogs will be placed at no cost. Once a dog is placed, the recipient takes on its ongoing everyday care.
How long does training take?
Service dogs typically train for 12 to 24 months, depending on the dog and the tasks. Therapy dogs usually take 3 to 6 months.
Do I have to share my diagnosis to apply?
No. We'll only ask about the everyday tasks a dog could help with, never your specific diagnosis.
What happens to dogs that don't become service or therapy dogs?
They'll be adopted into loving homes through our companion adoption program. It's a proud outcome, not a failure, and no dog will ever be given up.
Do fosters pay for anything?
No. We'll cover all veterinary costs and provide food, a crate, and basic gear. You'll also have a trainer to call and a 24/7 emergency line.
Where are you based?
Johnson County, Kansas. We work with shelters across the Kansas City metro. Because every dog lives in a foster home, there's no public facility to visit yet.
When will you start?
We're building our foster and volunteer network now, ahead of our first dogs. Registering your interest is the best way to help us get there.
Can I donate?
Not just yet. We'll open donations as soon as our state charity registration is complete. Join our updates list to hear first.
Answer the call
Every rescue deserves a mission.
Questions, ideas, or a spare room for a dog in training? We'd love to hear from you.
info.desk@charliescalltoduty.orgPrefer to talk instead of filling out a form? Schedule a call. Video calls include live captions, and we're happy to share anything on this page in another format.