Project Chance

Project Chance’s program spans approximately 14–24 months and includes an initial call, in-person meeting, home visit, and application process. Once accepted, families participate in tiered training phases: early socialization with older pups, intensive public access and task training, and gradual overnight transitions. Training occurs at the facility with group outings and family involvement. Dogs are trained for individualized tasks based on the child’s IEP. Ongoing support continues for up to a year after full placement.

Pricing Summary

Project Chance is a non-profit and relies on donations to cover the cost of training and placing service dogs. Families are not charged the full market value; costs are subsidized by donors. Specific pricing details are available upon request via their Cost Information page.

Policies

Families must sign a waiver allowing the use of photos and stories for promotional purposes. They must commit to regular training sessions and be within driving distance of the training center. Project Chance retains flexibility to place dogs outside the region based on individual support services.

Project Chance is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in North Florida that specializes in training custom service dogs for children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities. Founded by B.J. Szwedzinski, a special needs teacher with over 40 years of professional dog training experience, the program integrates academic, clinical, and parental support to help children achieve greater independence and social success. The service dogs—primarily golden retrievers—are trained to address specific needs such as preventing wandering, managing sensory overload, and improving social interaction. Families participate in an intensive, multi-phase training process that includes home visits, group sessions, and ongoing support, with dogs typically placed full-time at 14 months and continued training for up to a year after. Project Chance also advocates for inclusion and accessibility in the community and provides educational resources for families and schools.

The organization offers a structured, long-term partnership with families, emphasizing consistency, safety, and emotional connection. Training occurs at their facility in St. Augustine, FL, and families must be within driving distance to attend regular sessions. Project Chance does not offer general dog training; their focus is exclusively on service dogs for children with special needs.

In addition to training, they provide ongoing support, community events, and educational outreach, and rely on donations and corporate sponsorships to offset costs for families.

Accomplishments

B.J. Szwedzinski, founder and lead trainer, has over 40 years of professional dog training experience. She founded Dog Leg Productions in 1976 and has worked in animal control, humane societies, and special education. Project Chance has been operating since 2008 and has successfully placed numerous service dogs for children with autism and developmental disabilities in Northeast Florida.

How to Get Started!

Interested families begin with an initial phone call to discuss their child’s needs and family structure. This is followed by an in-person meeting at the training campus and a home visit to assess safety and suitability. Upon approval, an application is completed and a training plan is developed based on the child’s IEP.