OUR PROGRAMS

Infinite Abilities Assistance Dogs (IAAD) offers a variety of service dog programs designed to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. Each program is tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients, fostering independence, security, and emotional well-being. IAAD dogs are trained to perform vital tasks that improve daily living and contribute to a higher quality of life, both physically and emotionally. Explore our programs to see how our service dogs can make a meaningful difference.

Program Types Offered

  • Mobility Service Dogs (MSD) are purpose trained to assist clients with physical disabilities and perform a wide range of tasks that allow a level of independence that would otherwise not be possible. Simple tasks such as picking up dropped items, to helping with client’s balance, opening and closing doors, helping with clothing removal and pushing traffic switches.  They are also truly fundamental in lifesaving, such as medication retrieval.

    Service dogs have been found to have a significant impact on the well-being of their handlers. According to a study by Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine, service dogs can have measurable positive effects on both physical health and psychosocial well-being among people with physical disabilities. The study found that service dogs reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and social isolation, and increased the level of physical activity of their owners by accompanying them on daily walks. Additionally, service dogs have been found to increase the confidence of their handlers and improve their overall quality of life. 

  • Diabetic Alert Dogs are service dogs trained to assist individuals with diabetes by detecting and alerting them to dangerous changes in their blood glucose levels. The dog is trained to recognize and respond to specific scents or behavioral cues associated with hypo- or hyperglycemic episodes. This early detection allows the individual to take corrective action, such as administering insulin or consuming glucose, thereby preventing potential medical emergencies. Diabetic alert dogs can provide critical support in managing diabetes, enhancing the individual's ability to live more independently and safely. 

  • Hearing Alert Dogs are service dogs that assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These dogs are trained to respond to specific sounds, such as doorbells, alarms, timers, calls, or the sound of a person calling their owner's name. When the dog hears one of these sounds, it alerts its handler by making physical contact, such as nudging or pawing them, and then leading them to the source of the sound.  In the case of a smoke alarm, the dog has a specific alert to let the client know of possible danger.  

    In addition to alerting their owners to important sounds, hearing dogs can also help provide a sense of independence and security, especially for those that live alone.

  • Facility Support Dogs are trained and placed with professional agencies and staff handlers to support vulnerable populations or those that have experienced trauma.  These dogs are trained and selected to work in various environments including employee wellness programs, medical and education settings as well as police victim services and child advocacy centers.  

    Facility dogs have been found to have a significant impact on the mental and physical health of individuals. Research has shown that interactions with therapy dogs can lead to a statistically significant reduction in stress and improved coping and recovery, as well as enhanced morale and reduced effects of emotional burnout. In the healthcare setting, facility dogs have been associated with positive effects on burnout, job-related well-being, and mental health among pediatric healthcare professionals. Additionally, facility dogs have been described as playing a vital role in improving the patient experience in children's hospitals, benefiting patients, families, and hospital staff.

    Facility dogs can also play a vital role in enhancing the quality of services provided to crime victims and in helping to create a positive and therapeutic environment within the criminal justice system. Studies suggest that facility dogs can be effective in reducing anxiety and stress among crime victims, especially children, and can facilitate communication and trust between victims and professionals, such as police victim services, forensic interviewers and therapists. These dogs can help create a supportive and accommodating environment that encourages victims to participate in the legal process.

    These findings highlight the valuable role that facility dogs can play in promoting overall well-being and providing support in various professional and healthcare settings.