Dogs For Life Inc

Dogs For Life offers intensive, ongoing service dog training programs for veterans and individuals with disabilities, including hearing and mobility assistance. Training includes task-specific skills, public access preparation, and in-home support. The Veterans Training Veterans program trains veterans to assist in training service dogs for other veterans. All training occurs at their facility and includes evaluations, ongoing education, and certification aligned with Assistance Dogs International standards.

Pricing Summary

Services are funded through donations and grants; no public pricing is listed for training programs. Membership to the off-leash dog park is $100/year. Training for veterans and individuals with disabilities is provided at no direct cost to clients, supported by donor funding.

Policies

Off-leash dog park membership requires annual renewal and mandatory orientation. Dogs must be vaccinated, neutered, and social. The organization reserves the right to deny access based on behavior or breed perception, despite public statements of inclusivity. No formal cancellation policy is published for training programs.

Dogs For Life Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by CEO Shelly Ferger, dedicated to training service and hearing dogs for veterans, first responders, and individuals with physical or psychological disabilities in Indian River and St. Lucie Counties, Florida. They offer specialized service dog training tailored to tasks such as waking from nightmares, creating safe zones in crowds, providing deep pressure for anxiety, and calling for emergency help via a K-9 phone. Their training programs include in-home training for owners and their dogs, and they operate a 4,400 sq. ft. air-conditioned Training Center on their 4+ acre campus that includes a dog park, assessment center, and volunteer spaces. They also run a unique Veterans Training Veterans (VTV) program under the VA PAWS Act, where veterans learn to train service dogs for other veterans. Additionally, they provide an off-leash dog park with mandatory orientation and a Dog Park Ambassador program to promote safe, responsible pet ownership.

The organization is accredited by Assistance Dogs International and offers educational workshops, volunteer training, and puppy fostering programs. Their services extend to therapy dogs for police officers and school resource dogs. While they do not offer general obedience classes for pet owners, their focus is on service and therapy dog training for those with qualifying disabilities.

They do not provide grooming, boarding, walking, or daycare services, but their dog park is open to the public for members who meet vaccination and socialization requirements. Their training is rooted in task-specific, ADA-compliant methods for public access readiness, with an emphasis on behavioral evaluation and long-term support.

Accomplishments

Accredited member of Assistance Dogs International since 2001. Received TC Palm’s Readers Choice Award for 2013 for responsible pet ownership. Partnered with the VA’s PAWS Act program. Operates a 2,400 sq. ft. training center on a 4+ acre campus. Trained service dogs for over 1,000 veterans and individuals with disabilities.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact the organization by phone or email to inquire about eligibility for service dog training. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are evaluated for program fit. Off-leash dog park applicants must schedule an orientation appointment and complete the required process before access is granted.