Saber Life Foundation

Saber Life Foundation’s puppies are raised by foster volunteers for 12-14 months, during which they are taught basic obedience and exposed to various public environments for socialization. Professional training staff visit foster homes weekly to train both the dogs and the volunteers. Dogs are hand-picked from certified breeders and begin their training at 9 weeks old.

Once a service dog is placed in a recipient’s home, trainers continue to work in-person with the recipient and the dog until the team achieves proficiency in all required tasks. The organization also offers ongoing training for any further skills that may need to be learned after placement. All Saber Life Foundation teams are tested for public access using the Assistance Dogs International (ADI) certification test upon completion of their Team Training course.

Pricing Summary

Saber Life Foundation does not disclose fixed pricing for their service dogs, as they aim to provide dogs for all income levels through generous donations and partnerships. They assist clients with fundraising efforts to help cover the costs.

Saber Life Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support. They aim to make service dogs accessible to all members of the community, regardless of socio-economic status, and pride themselves on a personalized, human-first approach with their clients.

The foundation trains five types of assistance dogs: Mobility/Stability Dogs, Autism Dogs, Diabetic Alert Dogs, Seizure Response Dogs, and Psychiatric Dogs. They also specifically train service dogs for veterans with PTSD and other mental disabilities. Their dogs are custom-trained to perform practical tasks to assist individuals in leading more independent lives.

Saber Life Foundation does not train dogs for emotional support, social support, guide work for the blind, managing undesirable human behavior, or personal protection. They also do not train personal pets; instead, their dogs are hand-picked from certified breeders and begin training at 9 weeks old.

The organization maintains a lifelong commitment to each recipient and dog placed, ensuring consistent training, health, and happiness, and confirming the dog improves the recipient’s quality of life. They also provide community education regarding persons living with a disability seeking a service dog and proper assistance dog etiquette.

Accomplishments

Saber Life Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It was founded by Joel and Danea Key, who started the foundation in March 2020 based on their personal journey with their daughter’s service dog. Danea Key serves as the President and Joel Key as the Vice President. Brooke Ganes, a board member, was a founding Board member of the This-Ability Business Resource Group at The Coca-Cola Company. The foundation administers the ADI certification test for its graduate teams.

How to Get Started!

To begin the process of receiving a service dog from Saber Life Foundation, interested applicants must first submit an online application form. Following this, the foundation will schedule a follow-up introductory call, typically within two weeks. Applicants who proceed to the next stage will need to provide documentation from a doctor or licensed professional supporting their medical diagnosis, along with proof of income. This is followed by a background check and a home inspection. The Saber Life Foundation Board then makes a final determination on the applicant’s fit for their service dog program. Once accepted, placement on the waitlist is on a first-come, first-serve basis.