Reeds Service Dogs provides highly trained, certified service dog for applicants who have been diagnosed with a psychological disability. Although many of our service dogs go to military service members and their family, the disability does not need to be combat based, nor does the applicant need be associated with the military. All applicants must be over 12 years old and have a diagnosed psychological disability that is recognized by your doctor to substantially limit a major life activity. We accept applications from all over the USA.

Reeds Service Dogs reviews applications at the beginning of each month. If approved, a detailed packet will be emailed. Once all paperwork has been returned including; a Health Care refferal, 3 personal reference letters, and a Team Sponsor, we will conduct a background check, a phone interview, and a home and work environment check. This information allows Reeds Service Dogs to determine and then train the most suitable dog for each applicants needs. Once accepted into the program, a date is scheduled for the 3 week team training program. Our team remains in constant communication with the applicant on the waitlist to answer any questions, provide emotional support, as well as assist with other needs. Our waiting period is approximately 6-12 months long but can change depending on a variety of factors. Our waiting period is typically shorter than those of similar agencies. Contact us to learn more

Applicants come to our residential training facilities in North Dakota, where they will spend 3 weeks fully immersed in training & bonding with their new dog. While training at Reeds Service Dogs location, applicants are provided with a hotel & rental car as needed along with up to $5,000 (travel to and from the location is also covered) in addition to their daily training, all at no cost. Applicants are responsible for meals and expenses outside of training. Day 1 expectations: When you arrive on campus, you will be greeted by a RSD relations team member. A personal property search will be conducted at this time. Unauthorized items may result in immediate dismissal from training. These items include firearms, alcohol, illegal drugs (including marijuana and CBD), along with medication that is not in its original prescribed container. Day 2 -18 expectations Introducing the recipient to their new dog, time for bonding, working on commands, teaching alerts to the team, public outings, working around obstacles. Practicing for final testing. This training will take place in group settings with other recipients and their service dogs. This allows the team to learn to work through distractions, provide controlled triggers to help your service dog learn how to help you and even connect with fellow recipients who are going through similar struggles. Day 18-21 expectations The final days of team training are reserved for testing. This gives time for each team to practice, test & retest if any issues arise. We make it our mission to send as many recipients home with their dogs as possible.

Reeds Service Dogs prides itself on our dog pairing process. The pairing process is done by our professional trainers who consider the recipients personality, activity level, medical needs, location, family, work, etc., and match them with a dog who will best meet their needs. For individuals who need mobility assistance we would pair them with a large German Shepherd or newfoundland mix. For a smaller individual who travels alot, or someone how has allergies to dogs, we might pair them with a miniture or standard poodle.

RSD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and work 100% off donations. We offer our services at a discounted price to keep service dogs accessible to all. Our 25 week "Train Yourself" program comes out to $5200. We require our recipients to pay $4000 for our program dogs. It is the responsibility of the recipient to cover the cost of travel to and from our training facility, housing and transportation (grants up to $5000 may be offered to cover some or all extra cost when funds are available) and a nonrefundable $50 background/application fee.

We require a letter from your health care provider stating that you have been clinically diagnosed with a psychological disability. The letter must also state that you are both mentally & physically capable of sustaining our three week training regimen. The completed “Health Care Provider Verification” form must be attached and filled out by a health care provider. We require the completed “Team Sponsor” form. This will be a third party individual outside of immediate family who will agree to periodically check in and report back to RSD. The applicant must provide the name and contact information of an individual who has agreed to provide support to the service dog in case any issues or emergencies arise.(including but not limited to feeding the dog, providing housing for the dog, providing transportation RSD requires the completed "Personal Reference Letter" form. This will be 3 people who can provide information on your personality, temperement, and character. We require pre-purchased pet insurance for your service dog with a start date of your first day of training. We also require a copy of your identification & a full-length photo for identification purposes.

Once the 3 week team training has been completed and all required testing has been passed, the team will receive their certification and sent home to enjoy thier new life. RSD requires the team return 12 months after the initial training for any additional training needed and to retest/update the teams certifcations RSD requires the team return every 2 years for retesting and updating the teams certifications. Failure to retest within 3 months of the required time frame will result in the immediate termination of the team and the Service Dog will be returned to the RSD team immediatlely.

The American Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that businesses allow people with disabilities to bring their service dogs onto business premises in whatever areas customers are allowed. If you enter a business and are told that you cannot bring your dog inside, you simply tell them that this is your service dog. By law, a business may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? A business cannot legally deny you. Each state may have additional laws that provide protection to service dogs and the people they serve. You may want to read further information on laws specific to your state. Per RSD Training and Certifications, our service dogs are legally permitted to travel on any public transit system with their owner (not in cargo) including buses, trains, boats, planes, etc. all RSD Service dogs will be sent with a certification that can be presented along with contact & resources for any paperwork beyond what is supplied by RSD For complete information on traveling with your service dog, please review the special set of regulations dealing with airline travel.

There are multiple reasons why other pets in the home can make it a more difficult environment for your working service dog. While we have paired many service dogs successfully in homes with other pets, keep in mind that it will delay the process. Other pets can be a distraction to your service dog, and limit your service dog’s ability to focus on the task at hand. The sole responsibility of the recipient would be the service dog, while other family members focused on caring for the pets.

Our Foster Family Training Program is a unique system that allows us to train many more dogs simultaneously. Foster Family volunteers go through a screening process, and then take a service dog in–training for 6-10 weeks at a time. During those weeks, our Foster Trainers attend weekly training classes with their foster dogs, and regularly work on specific training areas, such as house manners and desensitizing them to public areas.

Yes, absolutely. We provide Service Dogs to any individual who has been medically diagnosed with a psychological disability.

Yes. Did you know 6% of Americans suffer from some form of PTSD and within that only 15% come from military based trauma. Although a large focus for Reeds Service Dogs is military based, we many times work with civilians.

This provides a longer-term opportunity to raise a puppy, typically ranging in age from eight weeks to 12 months old. Volunteers must be able to supervise the puppy throughout the day, teaching them manners and basic skills. They’ll also be tasked with providing the puppy with age-appropriate socialization opportunities outside of the home. Requirements to be a Puppy Raiser volunteer include: Be at least 18 years old *Minors are accepted with a parent as a co-applicant. Live within 50 miles of RSD Headquarters in Minot, ND. Have regular access to a car Attend human-only classes with K9s trainers to ensure that the dog you’re raising is trained in a manner consistent with K9s For Warriors’ program Attend monthly obedience classes with K9s trainers Provide a safe environment for respective dogs being raised Provide appropriate socialization opportunities (i.e. public places) Agree to return the dog upon request

Only have a few days to help out? Our sitters are utilized through an on-call basis for a variety of reasons when we need to place a Service Dog-in-training for a few days. Requirements to be a sitter volunteer include: Be at least 18 years old *Minors are accepted with a parent as a co-applicant. Live within 50 miles of RSD Headquarters in Minot, ND Attend human-only classes with K9s trainers to ensure that the dog you’re raising is trained in a manner consistent with K9s For RSD's program Provide a safe environment for respective dogs being raised Agree to return the dog upon request

We are in need of short-term dog fosters typically lasting from one to six months. These short-term fosters can include: shelter rescue dogs and dogs recovering from medical procedures. These dogs are typically older ( 12+ months) and potty trained Short-term fostering helps us to learn more about the dog in preparation for their advancement into training to become a Service Dog. Requirements to be a shelter dog foster volunteer include: Be at least 18 years old Live within 50 miles of the RSD campuses (Minot, ND) Have regular access to a car Attend human-only classes to ensure that the dog you’re fostering is trained in a manner consistent with RSD's program Attend monthly obedience classes Provide a safe environment for respective dogs being fostered Agree to return the dog upon request

We LOVE volunteers!! We have an active group of volunteers that helps us raise our service dogs. Contact us to get an application. We will be in touch to let you know when the next volunteer orientation is. These are usually held online, but you do not have to live there to be a volunteer. A home visit will follow that orientation. I promise we don’t care about your taste in furniture. We want to make sure our dogs in training will be safe. Once you finish the orientation process, you will understand what is expected from a weekend raiser. We have a great group of volunteers to help you figure it all out.

While we are a dog group, we have many other needs. We love new fundraising ideas and people to execute them. Some people have set up spots to collect donations and then bring them to the group. We can always use someone to sit at booths to hand out literature or help during our training week. Please fill out an application (found under the “program” tab) and let us know that you are interested but do not want to have a dog. We will find a spot for you!