Your Impact
Spring 2026 has been a season of meaningful growth, connection, and impact. Thanks to the generous support of our community, we’ve been able to expand our reach and provide life-changing Service Dogs to those who need them most. Every milestone we celebrate in this report is a direct reflection of the generosity, trust, and belief our supporters continue to place in this work.
Thank you to each donor or volunteer who made this progress possible. Your commitment fuels every success story, every new partnership, and every step forward.
Key Milestones
Most Active Service Dog Teams in DBL History
This spring, we proudly served 174 clients—the most in our history and a 6% increase over last year. This milestone reflects our ability to reach more individuals and families who rely on Service Dogs for greater independence and quality of life.
From Shelter to Service Dog Program Expansion
Compared to this time last year, today we have nearly two times more dogs in training in our From Shelter to Service Dog programs in Atlanta, GA and Carrollton, TX. This progress has been made possible through intentional
growth in our staffing, allowing us to train more shelter dogs. Each dog in our From Shelter to Service Dog program is getting a second chance, and we can’t wait to see their impact on a future client.
Instagram Growth
Our community continues to grow online, reaching 5,000 Instagram followers earlier this year. This milestone helps us amplify our mission, share stories of impact, and connect with new supporters. (If you haven’t already, follow us @dogsforbetterlives and be part of the fun!)
Guardian Society Reaches New High
We are proud to celebrate the 153 members of our Guardian Society, the highest number in our history. These committed supporters provide reliable, ongoing funding through legacy giving that allows us to plan ahead and ensure long-term stability. Their dedication forms the foundation that makes sustained impact possible.
Changing Lives
Behind every milestone in this report is a person whose life has been transformed. This spring, we witnessed countless moments of connection, confidence, and newfound independence as clients were paired with their Service Dogs. From daily tasks becoming more manageable to renewed freedom and companionship, these partnerships create lasting change that extends far beyond the individual. The stories you’ll see in the following client quotes are just a glimpse into the profound impact made possible by your support.
Susan and Facility Dog O’Hara
“Clients bond with her naturally and often more quickly than they do with people. That bond can accelerate engagement and progress in therapy.”
Erin and Facility Dog Teddy
“Teddy arrived happy, well trained, and loving his work. He gets excited walking into Boston Children’s Hospital and joyfully walks the halls on his way to see patients, families, staff, and visitors. We as humans can do our best to motivate a patient, but Teddy does it with his presence and precise training.“
Featured News
Featured News: Our Angel Flight West
Partnership, in Numbers
Since early 2025, our partnership with Angel Flight West (AFW) has expanded access to Service Dogs by transporting puppies across the western United States. In 2025 alone, this collaboration enabled 21 flights with 22 pilots, helping move 23 dogs while saving more than 21,000 miles of car travel and 333 staff hours.
Beyond the numbers, the partnership has created meaningful moments for the pilots, Puppy Raisers, and Staff—and even inspired the name of a puppy, “Jet,” in honor of the volunteer pilots who make these missions possible. As AFW’s Jessica Hayes shared, these flights allow pilots to use their skills to ensure more individuals receive the support of a Service Dog.
For DBL, it means we can focus our resources on training and placing these amazing dogs! Read more about this partnership.
Thank you for helping us create these life-changing connections.
Every milestone we reach—every team, every event, every life changed—is because of you.
As we look ahead to the new year, we can’t wait to see the incredible things we’ll accomplish together.
