Career Changed Dogs
There are a number of reasons why a dog may be released from our service dog training program. Some of these reasons may include, but are not limited to: reactivity, high energy, prey drive, fear, aggression, medical concerns, etc. Some of the released dogs will become available for adoption as a family pet. When we have a dog available and in need of a loving forever home you will see them listed on this page.
It is important to know that we can go several months without having a dog available and our placement policy is not first come, first served. Our main priority is matching the dog with the best home possible for its needs. The age and training of available dogs will vary and the adoption fee averages $1500. When you see a dog listed here that you are interested in being considered for, send an email to the Dog Adoption Coordinator to request an application or ask questions.
We do not maintain a waiting list. We recommend that you bookmark this page, check it often and notify us when you see a dog listed that you might be interested in.
Available Dogs
BENNY
Meet Benny, a sweet 14-month-old male yellow Labrador Retriever looking for his loving forever home. He is a BIG boy at 90 lbs and very strong. He will require an experienced, physically capable handler.
Benny is described as sweet, friendly, playful, curious, excitable, loving, cuddly, active, funny, big, and strong. Described by one as tough on the outside with a soft and gushy center.
Benny has been raised in our service dog training program and has learned some basic skills: sit, down, come, here (hand target), wait, and kennel. He travels well and is crate trained.
He is unsuitable to remain in the program due to reactivity toward strange/unfamiliar dogs and some vocal behaviors (he may bark at things he sees out the window).
Benny is still working on his leash walking. He will need an experienced handler who will continue to work with him on this in a patient, positive manner. He is very curious and can get distracted on walks and will pull toward something he’s interested in. He has displayed some interest in birds, squirrels, and rabbits. He is used to using a harness and head halter.
Benny gets excited when meeting/greeting people, which can lead to him getting a bit pushy and jumpy, and he’s not always aware of how big he is. With Benny’s size, strength, and tendency for excitability, we do not recommend him for a home with young children under the age of 11.
Benny is happiest when interacting with his person, playing with another dog, enjoying toys, exploring outside, running around the yard, or just snuggling with his person and watching a movie.
His ideal home will be with a family that is loving, patient, active, and willing to continue working on his areas of need. Experience with handling large dogs is a plus. He needs lots of space to run and explore, preferably in a rural/small town setting vs urban. An appropriate sibling dog in the home would be a bonus.
Benny’s adoption fee is $1,500. If you feel he might be the right match for you, send an email (no phone calls please) to the Dog Adoption Coordinator to request an application or ask questions.
Current on vaccines, neutered.
LUCA
Meet Luca, a 2 ½-year-old black Labrador Retriever looking for his loving forever home. Luca has been raised in our service dog training program and has learned many of his basic skills: sit, down, wait, here (hand target), stay, come, heel, side, and kennel. He travels well and is crate-trained.
Luca is not suitable to remain in our training program due to uncertainty around novel items, he can get a little mouthy when excited/anxious and has stubborn moments not conducive to service dog work.
Luca is described as sweet, playful, independent, quiet. He enjoys toys, sniffing, and running in the yard, and likes a good game of fetch. He likes playing with another dog and does best with one-on-one play. He’d enjoy a sibling dog in the home or having a couple of doggie friends.
Luca can get a little mouthy when excited/amped/stressed, due to this, we recommend a home with adults only or children aged 14+.
Luca enjoys a good walk (his pace can be a bit quick for some). He can require some management on walks as he likes to sniff. He is accustomed to using a harness and head halter. The pace of being someone’s jogging partner may be a good fit for him.
Luca is easy to have around the home, enjoying a variety of toys and a good Nylabone. He will check in with you often but is fairly independent. He’s not an overly cuddly/affectionate guy, although this may increase over time. He’d benefit from being mentally stimulated, like teaching him to help with tasks around the home.
Luca would love to have his own securely fenced yard where he can run off-leash, have doggie play dates, and have plenty of space to sniff and roll in the grass. And, you benefit from knowing that he’s safe if he’s not ready to come in when you are (yep, could be one of those stubborn moments).
Luca’s adoption fee is $1,500. If he sounds like he might be a good match for you please email the Dog Adoption Coordinator (no phone calls please) to request an application or ask questions.
Luca is neutered and current vaccines.