Canine Assistants

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Canine Assistants

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Canine Assistants provides service dogs for children and adults. However, she was unable to obtain a service dog because of geographical limitations.

Jennifer Arnold first recognized the need for this program when she was sixteen years old and diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She needed to use a wheelchair for several years and came to realize how dependent she was on others. Jennifer found it difficult to perform simple tasks, such as picking up dropped items, opening doors and turning on and off lights. She had heard of an organization in California that was training dogs to help people like her with those basic tasks. Jennifer has dedicated her efforts to building Canine Assistants, since she founded it in 1991. In that time the organization has placed over 1,700 service dogs nationally, reached more than 400,000 students through disabilities awareness educational presentations, and provide communities with over 120,000 hours of animal assisted therapy. Approximately 95% of all donations are directed towards the various programs and sponsorships. Most Canine Assistants service dogs are born, raised, and trained at our facility in Milton, Georgia, while some are occasionally adopted from local organizations or breeders. The majority of our service dogs are retrievers, including goldens, golden/lab mixes and goldendoodles.

10/30/2026

We are honored to partner with Archer Foundation and would like to take this opportunity to share their story. Archer was a fun-loving and big-hearted six year old boy who fought brain cancer Children's Health. He and his family fell in love with our graduate Canter the Facility Dog 🐾💜 during their time at the hospital. Following his death, Archer’s family created a foundation in his name and set out to honor his remarkable impact and true joy for life by giving back to others. Most recently, they fully sponsored Archer 🎈🐾, a newly-graduated facility dog from Canine Assistants, to work at the very same hospital where Archer was treated. Now, Archer 🎈🐾’s paws hit the floor of the hospital every single day, making an impact on kids and families in honor of his namesake. Tuesday, on the third anniversary of his passing, Archer’s family met Archer the dog, and it’s safe to say it was love at first sight. The hair, the joy, and the love for others… twins at heart. ❤️🐾🎗️

10/28/2026

Feel like doing some shopping today? 🛒 It’s our final Wishlist Wednesday before our very last recipient camp and hospital camp of the year! We have dogs to graduate and humans to pair them with! And with that comes a need for many supplies. We would be so grateful if you could help! It takes a village and we are so grateful for ours. 🙏🏼❤️🐾 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2B3I4V7ZK78P7?ref_=wl_share

10/28/2026

Certified Good Boy

10/09/2026

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT ❌2️⃣🔦 Meet Brian and Lauren, a married couple who volunteers at Canine Assistants together. They were certified in 2023 after learning about CA through a volunteer who regularly had dogs with him at the gym. “The dogs were so friendly and well-behaved that we found ourselves asking more and more questions about the program. The more we learned about the difference it makes in people’s lives, the more interested we became. Before long, we decided that we wanted to be part of it and applied to become volunteers,” Brian shared.

“Our family loves volunteering together. We have three boys who enjoy playing with the dogs outdoors and get especially excited when we bring them to sporting events or school functions where they can visit with their friends.
For Lauren and me, one of the most rewarding parts is getting to know each dog’s unique personality and watching them grow throughout the program. Knowing that these dogs will go on to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others makes the experience incredibly fulfilling. Volunteering has given our family an opportunity to serve together, build new relationships, and be part of something that truly makes a difference.” Thank you, Brian and Lauren! You are truly a power couple and we’re lucky to have you! 🦮♥️

09/25/2026

FEATURE FRIDAY: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month edition🎗️🏥🐾 Meet facility dog Opry and her child life specialist handler, Kate. They have been working together at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston since 2024. When asked about Opry’s impact, Kate shared, “As our first facility dog, Opry’s impact is felt throughout Dana-Farber and beyond. Supporting our pediatric patients through the many demands of treatment, Opry’s ability to bring joy and comfort is unmatched. In a recent quality improvement study, one caregiver noted, ‘I saw my daughter go from completely terrified walking into doctor’s appointment to just running to get the chance to see Opry. She legitimately saved my daughter’s life if you ask me.’” Good girl, Opry! ♥️🦮

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation
The Jimmy Fund

09/20/2026

Today is National Service Dog Day! The love, loyalty, and selflessness that service dogs share with their people is second to none. We could simply never celebrate these incredible dogs enough! We don’t deserve dogs, but we spend every day trying to be worthy. 🦮🐕‍🦺♥️ We’d love for you to share the name of an amazing service dog you know in the comments below.

09/18/2026

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT 🔦 Meet Kary, a Canine Assistants volunteer since 2022. When we asked about her experience, she shared, “l absolutely LOVE working with the CA dogs! They are all so wonderful. I enjoy bringing the dogs home, loving on them, socializing them and just having fun with the dogs. I feel lucky to be able to be a part of the process that allows these amazing dogs to go on to have such a positive impact on so many people. I follow all of the dogs I work with on social media, and I love seeing their successes.” Thank you, Kary, for all the love, time and attention you put into the dogs. We are so lucky to have you! ♥️🦮

08/26/2026

It’s the best day of the year; National Dog Day! There is simply nothing better on Earth than dogs, and we celebrate them today (and every day!). 🥳🙌🏼🐾

08/22/2026

08/21/2026

FEATURE FRIDAY: Hospital edition! 🏥 Meet Rainier, from our National Parks litter. As one of our most recent graduates, Rainier has been working USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital in Mobile, AL, since June. Rainier’s handlers are Emma (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) and Brenda (Certified Child Life Specialist). They shared, “Rainier assists children and women with coping, conversations, therapeutic play, alternative focus, procedural preparation and support. She assists in clinical treatment goals, bereavement support, service recovery, ambulation, and non-pharmacological pain management.

“Rainier often visits the USS Hope Infusion Center and offers comfort and support to patients who experience port accesses, IV placements, and vital signs. Rainier loves to help her friends through difficult times, offer unconditional love, motivate patients to reach goals and help overcome challenges.” Good girl, Rainier! ❤️🐾🗻

Address

3160 Francis Road
Alpharetta, GA
30004

Telephone

+17706647178

Website

https://give.canineassistants.org/campaign/631799/donate

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