At Company Distilling, we believe in the power of community and the difference it makes when people come together to support one another. This July, we are honored to announce that Service Dogs of Virginia has been selected as a recipient of our Gather Around Giving Grant.

About Service Dogs of Virginia

Founded in 2000 and based in Charlottesville, Virginia, Service Dogs of Virginia (SDV) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising, training, and placing highly skilled service dogs with people with disabilities – at no cost to the individuals they serve. Since their founding, SDV has proudly placed over 125 life-changing service and facility dog partnerships across the Commonwealth. Each dog takes approximately two years and over $40,000 to raise, train, and place, and thanks to the generous support of donors and volunteers, that investment never falls on the shoulders of the families and individuals who need them most. SDV is accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI), ensuring every dog they place meets the highest standards of quality, care, and humane training. They are also a Candid Platinum-rated nonprofit, reflecting their commitment to transparency and organizational excellence.

Programs Offered

  • Autism Service Dogs: SDV trains Autism Service Dogs for both children (ages 2-10) and adults (18+), providing safety, calming support, and greater independence for individuals on the autism spectrum. These dogs are individually matched to the unique needs of each client and family, offering a consistent and loving presence that makes daily life more manageable and meaningful.
  • Physical Assistance Service Dogs: For adults (18+) who use power wheelchairs or scooters, SDV’s Physical Assistance Service Dogs are trained to assist with daily tasks that would otherwise require help from another person. These dogs help reduce reliance on caregivers, increase independence, and give clients greater confidence and freedom in their day-to-day lives.
  • Medical Alert Service Dogs: SDV’s Medical Alert Dogs are trained to use scent detection to identify changes in body chemistry before a medical event occurs. Currently, SDV trains dogs to alert for Type 1 Diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome – giving clients and their families an invaluable layer of safety and peace of mind.
  • PTSD Service Dogs: Specially trained to help individuals manage the anxiety, nightmares, and stress associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, SDV’s PTSD Service Dogs are available to active-duty military, veterans, and first responders. These dogs provide a steady, calming presence that supports their handlers through the challenges of daily life and helps them reclaim a sense of security and stability.
  • Facility Dogs: SDV places Facility Dogs in schools, hospitals, courthouses, and counseling centers, where they provide comfort, motivation, and social interaction to groups of people who can benefit from their presence. These dogs work under the care of a trained facility handler and make a meaningful difference in environments where people are healing, learning, or navigating difficult circumstances.

Impact

Since 2000, Service Dogs of Virginia has placed over 125 service and facility dogs with individuals and organizations across Virginia, creating partnerships that have transformed the lives of clients and their families in ways that extend far beyond what any single statistic can capture. Each dog represents years of dedicated effort from SDV’s staff, volunteers, and breeding program, and each placement opens a door to independence that might otherwise have stayed closed. With no cost ever passed on to clients, SDV ensures that access to a life-changing service dog is never a matter of financial means.

How You Can Support Service Dogs of Virginia

Your support helps SDV raise, train, and place more dogs – creating independence and hope for those who need it most. Here’s how you can help:

  • Donate: Every dollar contributed to SDV goes directly toward the care and training of their dogs. With each placement costing over $40,000, financial contributions are the backbone of SDV’s ability to serve their community at no cost to clients. Visit servicedogsva.org to make a tax-deductible gift.
  • Volunteer: SDV offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities, including puppy development, night and weekend care for dogs in advanced training, respite care, event support, and facility assistance. No prior dog training experience is required – just a love of dogs and a desire to make a difference. Visit the volunteer page to learn more and apply.
  • Sponsor a Dog: SDV’s Sponsor a Dog program invites individuals and businesses to directly fund the training journey of a specific dog from pup to placement. Sponsors receive updates along the way, making it a deeply personal way to invest in the mission.
  • Shop SDV Gear: Support the mission with every purchase through the SDV online shop. Branded gear helps raise awareness and funds for the dogs in training.
  • Donate Supplies: SDV accepts donations of supplies that directly support the care of their dogs. Visit the Donate Supplies page on their website to see their current wishlist.
  • Spread the Word: Follow SDV on Instagram @servicedogsva and on Facebook at facebook.com/servicedogsofvirginia and share their mission with your community. Awareness leads to volunteers, donors, and the partnerships that make this work possible.

Join Us in Making a Difference

At Company Distilling, our Gather Around Giving program empowers communities by supporting organizations like Service Dogs of Virginia. We invite you to join us in this mission. By supporting SDV, you help ensure that more Virginians living with disabilities have access to the independence, confidence, and companionship that a well-trained service dog provides – a partnership that truly changes everything.

Visit Service Dogs of Virginia’s website to learn more about how you can get involved. Together, we can help more people and their four-legged partners find each other.

Company Distilling’s Gather Around Giving program supports nonprofits that create positive change in their communities. To learn more about our initiatives and how you can participate, visit our Gather Around Giving page.