If the above video does not start playing automatically, click the “play” button in the video player or click to watch on YouTube.

Welcome to Bone AppeTREAT 2026

A fun and exciting dog treat recipe competition in support of Service Dogs.

Download treat recipes

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsor

National Watch Party Host

Leader of the Pack

Dog House

Quinn Family Foundation

Dogs Best Friend

Canine Hero Sponsors

Brian & Christie McQuade

Celebration Sponsors

Puppy Patron Sponsors

Lois and Bob Malone

Barbara Johnson

FAQs and Technical Suggestions

Closed Captions

Turn closed captions on or off by toggling the CC button at the lower right of the video.

What time does the livestream start?

The livestream pre-show begins at:

6:30 PM Eastern Time
3:30 PM Pacific Time

Program Begins at:

7:30 PM Eastern Time
4:30 PM Pacific Time

We recommend visiting the page 5–10 minutes early to ensure the video loads properly.

Do I need a ticket or login or YouTube account to watch?

No login is required to watch the livestream.
If you purchased a ticket/gave a donation—thank you! Your support directly benefits Dogs for Better Lives.

What devices can I use to watch?

You can watch on:

Desktop or laptop computers
Tablets
Smartphones

For best results, use an updated browser such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.

How do I access the video from my TV?

Use your smart TV’s web browser
Cast or mirror from your phone, tablet, or computer
Use a streaming device that supports YouTube or screen casting

I don’t see the video—what should I do?

Try the following:

Refresh the webpage
Confirm your internet connection
Disable ad blockers or pop‑up blockers
Try a different browser or device
Wait until the event start time—the video may appear right at 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT
Link off directly to the program. You can use either this link or our livestream link on YouTube

I don’t hear the program’s audio

Please ensure your device volume is turned up and not muted.
If you can’t hear audio, try refreshing the page.

Captions are also available by toggling on the CC button in the video’s lower left

Will there be a replay available?

For the most fun and interaction we recommend joining live, but if that’s not possible, a recording will be available after the event.

Autism Assistance Dog Program Requirements

Home Environment

There can be no other dogs in the household with an Autism Assistance Dog. If you have other pets and are not willing to re-home them, your application may be denied due to the difficulties of having a professionally trained dog work around those types of distractions.

We require a fenced area attached to the home.

It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.

Financial Commitment

The cost of feeding and caring for one of our professionally trained dogs could be over $1,500 per year. This includes but is not limited to food, toys, vet care, etc. This does not include any unforeseen illness or injury. The client is financially responsible for the dog’s care once the dog is placed with the child.

Personal Skills

To qualify for our Autism Program, the child on the autism spectrum cannot be diagnosed with any other disabilities. To provide the best support for our clients, our dogs are trained for one specific skill set and not, for example, dually trained as Hearing Dogs. Please call for more information and clarification.

The Autism Assistance Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.

Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.

Before you begin the application process, it is important that you read this information:

• We require a fenced area attached to the home
• Due to the difficulties of having a dog work around distractions, Autism Assistance Dogs must be the only dog in the home
• Autism Assistance Dogs are only placed with clients between 4-8 years old
• You will be required to attend obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer

Our professionally trained dogs require:

• Minimum of one full year of training as a team
• Total commitment and willingness to work with your dog daily
• The ability to place practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Stopping whatever you are doing to work with your dog when he/she is confused or does not work properly
• Being patient and positive with your dog
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with the child

Facility Dog Program Requirements

About Our Dogs

All of our Dogs receive extensive program work and obedience training. Facility Dogs can provide a calming effect, allowing the professional to better serve or treat their clients. These dogs do not have public access except when accompanying the professionals and their clients in order to provide assistance to the clients.

Our standards and criteria for determining whether or not a dog is suitable for access to public places are very high. Only dogs that can ignore other dogs, handle being exposed to busy, noisy and crowded environments as well as comfortable with all types of people are appropriate to be in public.

When we match a Dog with a client, we look at a variety of factors: the needs of the client both for work at home and in public, lifestyle and energy level and the confidence the dog has in new environments and situations.

Home Environment

If you have a pet dog in your home, the following must be true about him/her:

Is at least three years of age
Is housetrained
Has been taught a few basic commands
Gets along well with other dogs
Is spayed/neutered
Is up to date on vaccines and flea/tick prevention
Has no history of aggression to humans or other dogs
Is an indoor dog

We typically require a fenced area attached to the home.

It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

A Facility Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.

Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.

Before applying, please carefully consider the following points. Our professionally trained dogs require:

• Minimum of one full year year of training together as a team
• Total commitment and willingness to work with your dog daily
• The ability to place practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Stopping whatever you are doing to work with your dog when he/she is confused or does not work properly
• Being patient and positive with your dog
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Taking sole responsibility for the care of the dog so that the dog will bond with you
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with you
• A fenced area attached to the home
• Professionals or volunteers working with people with vulnerable populations and people with disabilities for a minimum of 20 hours/week
• Obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer

Hearing Dog Program Requirements

About Our Dogs

We select dogs from area shelters based on temperament and age, not size, sex, or appearance. All of our Dogs receive extensive program work and obedience training. Hearing Dogs are trained to alert to sounds by making physical contact then leading you to the sound. Additionally, many of our Hearing Dogs are certified for public access.

When we match a dog with a client, we look at a variety of factors: the needs of the client both for work at home and in public, lifestyle and energy level and the confidence the dog has in new environments and situations. Dogs are matched with individuals based on the temperament of the dog and the lifestyle, personality, activity level, health, and environment of the person. We do not place dogs based on personal preference.

Home Environment

There can be no other dogs in the household with a Hearing Dog with the possible exception of a retired Dogs for Better Lives Hearing Dog. If you have other pets and are not willing to re-home them, your application may be denied due to the difficulties of having a professionally trained dog work around those types of distractions.

We typically require a fenced area attached to the home.

It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

A client must be at least 18 years old, willing and able to physically, mentally, and emotionally care for the dog without assistance.

The Hearing Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.

Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.

Before applying, please carefully consider the following points.

Our professionally trained dogs require:

• A minimum of one full year of training with you as a team
• Your total commitment and willingness to work with them daily
• Your ability to schedule practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Your patience and positive attitude
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Taking sole responsibility for the care of the dog so that the dog will bond with you
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with you
• Attending an obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer

Welcome to Bone AppeTREAT 2026

A fun and exciting dog treat recipe competition in support of Service Dogs.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsor

National Watch Party Host

Leader of the Pack

Dog House

Quinn Family Foundation

Dogs Best Friend

Canine Hero Sponsors

Brian & Christie McQuade

Celebration Sponsors

Puppy Patron Sponsors

Lois and Bob Malone

Barbara Johnson

FAQs and Technical Suggestions

Closed Captions

What time does the livestream start?

Do I need a ticket or login or YouTube account to watch?

What devices can I use to watch?

How do I access the video from my TV?

I don’t see the video—what should I do?

I don’t hear the program’s audio

Will there be a replay available?

Contact

Explore

Explore

Connect