Your support makes all the difference.
This summer has been full of milestones, meaningful moments, and mission-forward progress. From expanding our From Shelter to Service Dog program to welcoming new puppies into the world, your generosity and involvement are creating a ripple effect of positivity —for dogs, clients, and communities alike.
Whether you’ve made a gift, raised a future Service Dog, or shared your time in another way as a volunteer—we’re incredibly grateful that you are a part of this journey. Thank you.
Key Milestones
First Shelter Dogs Enter Training in Atlanta in the From Shelter to Service Dog program
This quarter, we officially welcomed the first two shelter dogs selected from Atlanta Humane in Atlanta, Georgia—marking an exciting new chapter for our From Shelter to Service Dog Program. Donors may recall this expansion was first announced earlier this year, building on the success of our partnership with Operation Kindness in Texas. Through this program, more shelter dogs will now have a second chance to change lives as Service Dogs.
Record Number of Active Teams
This summer, we reached a record-breaking milestone—166 active Service Dog teams across the country. That’s the highest number in our organization’s history, and it represents something bigger than just a number.
Each team is a powerful example of the impact we’re making together. More teams mean more people living safer, more independent lives—from coast to coast.
Puppies, Puppies, Puppies!
This summer, 23 future Service Dogs were born to four of our amazing breeder dogs. Each puppy has now taken their first big step by moving in with a volunteer Puppy Raiser family. We extend heartfelt thanks to our Puppy Raisers and Breeder Caretakers, whose early love and guidance are laying the foundation for each puppy’s future success.
Bone AppeTREAT Raises $200,000+
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our third annual Bone AppeTREAT fundraiser! With your help, we raised more than $206,000 to support our programs. Every bite and bid brought us closer to empowering more people through the love and skill of professionally trained dogs. Watch the replay and download the recipes.
Volunteer Love
In April, we celebrated our incredible volunteers during Volunteer Appreciation Week—from Puppy Raisers to our Regional Advisory Board Members to fosters, National Board Members, kennel and transportation volunteers. We also loved seeing our DBL community represented in the Pear Blossom Parade in Medford, OR. Your passion and time continue to move our mission forward.
Life-Changing Impact
The true power of your support shines through the inspiring stories of lives changed by the partnership between people and their Service Dogs.
Allison and Certified Hearing Dog Poppy
“I do not have to worry about dropping my wallet or not hearing someone behind me talking to me, because if these situations occur, Poppy will be there to alert me.” Read their story here.
Foster Volunteer Heather
“Our family has had the pleasure of hosting 4 DBL dogs as temporary house guests for their vacationing puppy raisers or while awaiting placement with their clients. So far, we have met Liberty (Libby), Noelle, Magna, and now we have Percy. What an amazing volunteer opportunity this is for our family!”
Featured News
DBL Earns 100% Perfect Score with Charity Navigator
Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) is pleased to announce it has received a perfect 100% rating for the first time and retained its respected 4-star designation from Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most influential independent nonprofit evaluator. This perfect score is achieved by fewer than 0.1% of all charities rated.
DBL has earned a 4-star rating for 12 consecutive years, which already places the organization among the most consistently high-performing nonprofits in the United States.
This top rating places DBL among a small percentage of nonprofits nationwide and reflects our commitment to financial transparency, strong governance, and using your donations wisely. When you support DBL, you can give with complete confidence—knowing your gift is directly fueling life-changing programs and services.
Thank you for helping us create these life-changing connections.
With every dollar donated, hour volunteered, or story shared—you’re making better lives possible.
We can’t wait to see what we accomplish together this fall.
