BRIGADOON SERVICE DOGS

Description

Founded in 2004, Brigadoon addresses the great need for assistance dogs in the Pacific Northwest by creating and supporting world-class service dog teams. Fully accredited in 2012 by Assistance Dogs International (ADI), we use only positive reinforcement and force-free training which maximizes the success and welfare of the dogs in our care.

Brigadoon sources Labrador and Golden Retriever puppies that are purpose-bred for temperament and health, and this makes them promising candidates for service dog work. Volunteers raise and socialize our puppies, and when the puppies reach adolescence they rotate into one of our four cooperative prison programs with the WA State Department of Corrections. The dogs live 24/7 with their incarcerated trainers who provide daily training of foundational cues, enrichment, and care.

When they are ready for their advanced training, they return to our Bellingham campus. Here, our trainers prepare each dog to be ready for placement with a client, focusing on tasks such as mobility or physical assistance, PTSD, anxiety mitigation, autism assistance, and more.

Since our founding, Brigadoon has served 100+ clients, including 50+ veterans and 20+ children, with an ongoing commitment to expanding our impact. Each client represents a lifetime commitment, with Brigadoon providing continuous support throughout their journey with their service dog.