Reviews & Recommendations
Karin Sponholz in Redwood City, California:
An absolutely amazing experience!!
Victoria and her team are so knowledgeable, professional, easy to communicate with and willing to help with every part of the process. It’s so clear that they are true experts in their field of dog training.
I would not hesitate one bit to recommend them to anyone thinking of getting a service dog, particularly in help with training, training tips and overall support.
Angelina Santos in Miami, Florida:
Calypso is almost 10 months old and is doing spectacular. There has been such a dramatic change within the few months we have been working together. He is my fuzzy monster, my companion, and my life saver. He has taught me so much not just about training but how to experience life. He has brought me the freedom and confidence I thought I never had.
HSD gave me an opportunity at life. I did not know how I would be independent when my autism strikes hard some days. Calypso gives me a ridged structure and routine that I thrive with. If I forget to do something that day he will persistently remind me (he is the reason I remember to eat and take breaks).
When looking into a service dog everything was confusing and expensive. I thought I had to go find a breed and a trainer separately, and was struggling to figure it out . One day the TikTok gods heard my cry for help and showed me a video of Victoria explaining how service dogs save lives. Not only did the story make me cry, but I was so happy I found a facility that breeds and trains service dogs. What made it better was we are in the same state. Without seeing that Tik Tok I would not have found HSD.
They are spectacular people!
I could not thank Victoria and Tera enough for how much they have helped me and Calypso. They picked a perfect dog for me and helped me adapt my training to my limitations. It has inspired me to look into dog training as a career as it can be more flexible with my disability.
We love and thank HSD ❤️
Wendy Cole in Orlando, Florida:
I am currently diagnosed with CPTSD, Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction disorder, and diabetes.
Bindi is task trained for (still working on some, of course):
1. Find my medicine (scented)
2. Harmful behavior interruption, crying interruption
3. Blocking, crowd control
4. Panic alert
5. Deep Pressure Therapy
6. Seizure alert (was natural, but she just went crazy so we are working at refining to an actual alert, which she is doing well at)
7. Oops retrieve
8. Waking me up from nighttime neurologic episodes
9. Leading me to mom or husband in public.
And we may add more as my noggin continues to fizz out thankfully medicine is now helping and Bindi just loves learning.
Suzanna “Zanna” Huth in Boston, Massachusetts:
Jojo alerts to me when I’m starting to get emotionally overwhelmed. He interrupts me when I’m having a meltdown. He is amazing at guiding me away from chaos when things are getting too loud and overwhelming. He knows when I’m dissociating and will lick my face/ paw at me to ground me.
His new favourite thing he taught himself is to knock at my phone/ get between my hand and phone when he can tell I’ve been on it too long and am getting overwhelmed.
Sandy Howle in Hazel Green, Alabama:
Last summer I had the honor of meeting Victoria Warfel, and she introduced me to one of the Hope Service Dog recommended trainers, Sam Walker. A couple of months later, I sent my lab to Sam for a three month board and train. As part of the training process, I went down to Hope Service Dogs for a week and worked hands-on with Sam learning how to train my lab and continue working with her.
Sam was amazing and did such a great job with my lab! I also got to work with Victoria and the Hope team. Everyone was so great!
Victoria and her team are all excellent trainers, very knowledgeable, and breed and train some pretty amazing dogs. They are all so passionate about what they do and you can see that in their dogs and their training.
If you are looking for a service dog, a pet dog, or even just training for your dog, Hope Service Dogs is your place! I cannot recommend them enough. I will definitely be using them again in the future.
Pam Tompkins in Bushnell, Florida:
I took my dog to Vicki & Rich before they were Hope Service Dogs, for basic training. They were awesome. I loved their method of training. They were available night or day if I had questions. Very caring people.
Since then I have volunteered from time to time with the pups. These dogs are soo well taken care of. And their facility is kept super clean. And Tera is fantastic also. Love Hope Service Dogs. What an awesome group of people and dogs.
Annie McDowell in Kennesaw, Georgia:
Hope Service Dogs was/is an answer to my prayers. It is a perfect program no matter the route you choose/need to go in order to obtain a service dog.
I received an 8wk old puppy, and my family, and I are beyond impressed with every aspect after just a day of having our puppy home.
If you watch their videos the quality and care of these dogs goes above and beyond the work of a breeder. Three days after birth, they are already begining to shape the dogs for the work they are being called to, and it doesnt stop once you receive your dog that is perfectly matched for you and your needs.
You will gain a support group within the people of HSD and previous families who are eager to welcome you and set you up for success.
Ellen Kordonowy in Jacksonville Beach, Florida:
HSD have made our puppy dreams come true!
Victoria and her team have been incredibly supportive and helpful throughout this process and we’re so happy with our new family member.
Anne Rookey in Framingham, Massachusetts:
Hope Service Dogs was amazing when we needed a service dog for our daughter.
Her puppy was carefully bred, lovingly raised with the highest standard of care and the right early experiences to develop resilience and intelligence, and delivered to us with public access and tasks already learned.
Hope Service Dogs provided our family with an extensive online training course, weeks of hands-on in-person instruction and practice with her dog, and ongoing help and support after go-home.
We couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and our daughter’s service dog is an absolute rock star! So smart, good-natured, hardworking, and polite. Sam did a wonderful job training our daughter’s service dog and teaching our daughter to work effectively with her, and Victoria is so professional and compassionate.
We would definitely choose Hope Service Dogs again.
Steve Phillips in Leesburg, Florida:
Great service dog company, great training , professional and friendly.
Emma Key in Keystone Heights, Florida:
I am beyond grateful for HSD and all they have done for me.
They go above and beyond everytime and are always there if I have a question or need some help with Dyl!
Dylynn is the best dog I could ask for and HSD made that happen.
Danielle Pollack in Ormond Beach, Florida:
We had the honour and pleasure of doing the 6 month started service dog programme, & I’m so thankful we did.
Last year I contacted Victoria with Hope Service Dogs to help me find the perfect companion to help with my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Dysautonomia, and autism. We were responded to promptly and she was so informative every single step of the way.
It was incredible to see the extensive genetic testing they’ve done. I felt so relieved to know how much pride they take in ensuring genetically sound dogs. I was also able to come out and meet their dogs as well as my service dog prospect to ensure that temperament and match was good, and it was perfection.
When I walked in to their facility the first time it was clear how much care and pride they have in their animals. The first, and every, time I’ve gone to their facility I was amazed by how clean it was. You can see the tenderness and love each trainer has for the pups. The animals were also always on a perfect schedule for such little puppies. Between training, feeding, pottying, and cleaning they run a tight ship! I even saw their training clip boards. Their record keeping is impeccable.
Not only was I impressed by their facility their customer service was outstanding. Vicki consistently communicated with me every step of the way on training. I would get weekly photos and videos of Basil’s progress while he was with her. If I ever had questions or concern she was immediately responsive. This has even continued after his go home. They made me feel like part of a family. Not only did she have amazing communication, but she was incredibly accommodating and understanding to my needs and disabilities. I have had treatments that made me extremely vulnerable and immunocompromised. Without a seconds thought they offered to wear masks around me outside to keep me safe while we did training visits and go home. Their compassion alone has impressed me beyond words.
I brought Basil home when he was 7 months old. He’s been extremely healthy. No digestive or health issues at all. We had lots of work to do as he’s still a puppy and it takes time to form a bond and to solidify training with a new handler. However, I can say with confidence that he’s bar none the best service dog I could have asked for or wanted. He’s healthy, confident, loving, driven (but not overly so), loyal, engaged, and 100% the best boy.
At just over a year old, he can alert to episodes, do DPT, under, reorienting, pick up dropped items, brace, & medical recovery/response. To say that this has been an incredible and life changing experience would be an understatement. He’s saved my life and happiness in so many ways which means that so has Hope Service Dogs.
I feel so fortunate to be part of the HSD family. I’ve made life long friends through their organisation, and it was beyond worth it; not only for my bestie SD boy Basil, but for the experience that I’ll carry with me the rest of my life.
Thank you Vicki. You’re a champion for the disability community and I adore you and your team for everything!
Basil has been such a fantastic support for autism, anxiety, and POTS. He’s really been a rockstar support for me.
Tasks for POTS:
- alerts when my breathing gets wonky to have me sit before an episode
- provides alert for high heart rate or low blood pressure by going into straight into deep pressure therapy
- raises my legs in under when I’m in a episode
- Stays with me during episodes
Tasks for mobility:
- helps bring me things when I need them consistently. I just point
- a light brace while in standing (no movement)
Tasks for autism/anxiety:
- regulatory positions: leaning into me with his head towards my core
- behaviour interrupt for crying (nuzzles in to my face and puts pressure on my legs)
He is such a sweet happy rockstar of a puppers.
Rhema Woods in Durham, North Carolina:
We LOVE Hope Service Dogs!!
We got our Gracie Lou from HSD last year and she is the best and far more than we could’ve ever hoped for. Her training was impeccable and the training we got through HSD to continue working with our Golden was amazing!
She was bred with integrity and thoughtfulness. Very well trained, raised and taken care of until we could come pick up our girl.
We Love Victoria and her entire team and all they have done for our family. We can’t recommend Hope Service Dogs enough!
Brandon Pogrob in Jacksonville, Florida:
After picking Calli up from Hope Service Dogs in the Summer of 2021, we brought her back to HSD for a 5 week board-and-train program this past Fall. My wife and I had been using the online course to owner-train Calli, but we were struggling with her focus during public access. She spent 5 weeks with Sam and Ray (who are amazing people and dog trainers) and we stayed in the area for two weeks post-training to work with Sam, Ray, Vicki, and Rich. We learned so much for them in such a short period of time and Calli improved so much. Sam focused a lot on decreasing Calli’s anxiety and building her confidence — It clearly paid off!
We cannot recommend HSD enough - Calli has had such a positive impact on my wife's quality of life and has given her back some freedom. HSD is a wonderful organization and we cannot say enough about how lucky we feel to have gotten a dog from them. They remain available to us to answer any questions we have, and are clearly invested in Calli's continued success and the success of all of the dogs they breed and train.
Jeanine Clarke in Denham Springs, Louisiana:
recently picked up my service dog in training. I couldn’t be happier. He has done well from day one. He is beautiful and healthy.
We stayed nearby the facility and trained with Hope’s trainers for a few days. They were all wonderful. They are always quick to respond to an email or text.
I couldn’t be happier with my experience. I highly recommend Hope Service Dogs, inc
Ronald Hanna in Dalton, Massachusetts:
We are so happy with Robin. She a very smart and well trained service dog.
Lynne Lawson in N Royalton, Ohio:
I searched for the best all-over service dog breeder. When I found Hope Service Dogs, Inc., I stopped looking. They ensure the best match will be made. The health and happiness of the dogs and the level of dedication to their training are unmatched. I have had dozens of questions, and Victoria Warfell quickly answered with knowledge and expertise. You will be so happy and satisfied with Hope Service Dogs, Inc.
Samantha Key in Keystone Heights, Florida:
When we were looking for a service dog for our daughter for her specific needs, HSD was who we choose. Hands down the best choice! Everyone has been amazing and our daughters dog is the best. We opted to leave her with Victoria and Tara longer to get more specific training and they have been so wonderful since we brought her home.
I highly recommend them!
Lori Tompkins in Homestead, Florida:
Victoria & her crew are AMAZING!! We have never had a dog, much less a service dog in training, and I was nervous about everything.
Not only did they keep us informed from day 1 on our pup but they spent countless hours along the way helping us to understand how to raise & train this adorable creature.
They answered all my calls and texts and never made me feel crazy or inadequate (though I made myself feel that way at times) and have been so very supportive from the start!
We opted for the 16-week training program and I am amazed at what our pup learned in that time! Our only struggle has been continued potty training. But Victoria and Tera have been so helpful and supportive through this as well! If you’ve never had a puppy, and can afford it, I would recommend the 6 month program- potty training is not for the weak 😂 But, again, the suggestions and continued support from HSD is immeasurable in value!
THANK YOU VICTORIA, TERA, JAMES, EMILY & RICH!!
You’ve made this adventure so much easier than it would’ve been, without you, and we truly enjoyed meeting all of you!
We would give more than 5-stars if it were an option!
Laura Colon in Ovideo, Florida
Getting my SDIT(Pacha) from Hope Service Dogs was the best decision that I could’ve made.
After having suddenly lost my pervious SDIT I was crushed and extremely hesitant to start the process of getting a SD Prospect. Victoria answered every question I had with kind and knowledgeable responses, she assured me of HSD’s comprehensive genetic testing, early socialization and the assurance that they would choose the right dog for me, and when that time came, they not only met but EXCEEDED every expectation that I had.
HSD is a family that I am so proud to be a part of, from the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank you guys for all you’ve done to help me.
Jessica Ruckebusch in San Jose, California:
We have been blessed with an amazing golden retriever from Hope Service Dogs. We opted for the 6 month training program and have not regretted it for a second.
We spent a week doing hands on training with Victoria, Rich, James, Tera, Sam and the rest of the HSD team. They are equally professional and caring, and made sure that our daughter got the best possible start. We happily returned a few months later to visit! Everyone at HSD has always been quick to answer any questions or hear out any concerns we may have, no matter how small they may be.
Since returning home he continues to get high marks for his advanced skills and training, all thanks to HSD. He came knowing several tasks already and has picked up several more. He also naturally alerts during times of cardiac stress and blood sugar changes.
He has received a clean bill of health, and compliments from the vet staff on his wonderful temperament and condition.
He has truly made my daughter’s life better, for that we can’t thank HSD enough!
Frank Newland in Fayetteville, Georgia:
Best trainer and staff I have ever met.
Excellent facility, excellent training of our service dog. This is the place to go if you are in need of a service dog. The staff is very professional and the facility top notch.
We could not be happier with our experience at Hope Service Dogs!
Sara Schenck in Las Vegas, Nevada:
Clover is incredible with his low blood sugar alerts. His window seems to be about 10 minutes before I really feel the effects - basically if I ignore his alert, 10 minutes later I will be dizzy, feeling weak and nauseous.
His heart rate alerts are exceptional - long before I even start to realize it’s going up. He stares me down when I hit about 93-99 and the alert immediately comes out when I hit 100, or over 120 if I’m walking.
Doctors have seen it in action and have remarked how incredible Clover is.
Hannah Shelton in Denver, Colorado:
Ellie has been alerting to high heart rate, low glucose, & high glucose since our go home at 6 months old (she did the 6 mo old Puppy Program). She gets me juice and snacks, & help on command.
Laurel Nickels in Pullman, Washington:
Frankie alerts to high blood pressure as well as fainting for POTS. His alert comes about 20 minutes before, making it so my daughter (his owner) could drive again and eventually move out on her own!
Natasha Bellon in Houston, Texas:
Bosco has tasked on his own for my boyfriend who has severe asthma and uses nebulizer multiple times a day. Pressure & licking really helps him back from being extremely disoriented and unable to breathe. It affects his circulation, so he does similar things for the dysautonomia.
Bosco works for my dysautonomia with retrieves, brings body armor, deep pressure therapy, lift my legs while laying down, helps me with the hearing loss by giving me greater awareness and has worked with both anxiety and panic attacks before.
He's also working on finding myself and boyfriend from different rooms - eventually we'll probably extend that to the store where he'll lead me to find boyfriend but first need to work on stranger neutrality rather than seeking attention.
His retrieves are absolutely on point, just earlier today I dropped a frozen pork loin (in a bag) and he immediately grabbed it for me and brought it to me without me needing to ask him.
His scentwork is also amazing - trying to figure out the next step to make it a challenge for him .
Fay Dimanche in Dalton, Massachusetts:
An amazing place! What a wonderful service they provide.
I have had my service dog puppy for a few weeks and I could not be any happier with her. She was perfectly matched and trained. Victoria and her team of staff are all very knowledgeable and helpful in every way. Thank you so much for all that you do.
I just picked up Calli, my SDiT, from Hope Service Dogs a couple of weeks ago and I have nothing but positive things to say about Victoria, Rich and Sam!
They did a wonderful job raising her and have been incredibly responsive and helpful as I continue her training on my own.
I am following their online course, which provides many helpful resources. If you are thinking about getting a service dog (especially for dysautonomia) I would definitely recommend reaching out.
Alex DeRosa in Englewood, New Jersey:
We recently brought home a golden retriever puppy from Victoria. What an awesome journey! She was very helpful, honest, and thorough when informing us about the puppies. Victoria provided all the health information about the puppies' parents, which was very helpful. She also kept us informed about the growth of the puppies and recorded sessions of the puppies being introduced to things, as well as fun little photos and videos! This really made my family and I feel included in the early stages of our puppy's growth, which was very nice.
The process of bringing him home was conducted very well too, given the circumstances of COVID during this time. Overall, we are very pleased with the entire experience and couldn't have wished for better! We are so happy with our puppy!
Sameera Dandekar in Fairfax, Virginia:
Absolutely fantastic experience with Hope Service Dogs.
Recipient of one of their companion puppies. HSD was incredibly responsive and kept us updated throughout the first 8 weeks (IG, Facebook, Email).
It was incredibly comforting to know our puppy was with experienced dog trainers who took every extra measure to ensure a happy and healthy puppy.
Mari O'Leary in Boston, Massachusetts:
Hope Service Dogs is absolutely the best!!
Victoria and Rich give 110% to these pups! Victoria is super responsive and helpful through the whole process. Our pup was almost fully potty trained when he came home and was already exposed to so many smells, sounds, and sights thanks to their early development training.
Beyond training, they’re breeding the best of the best.
HSD goes beyond the minimum requirements for health testing to insure they are providing the best in the business. I was paired with the perfect pup as my service dog prospect. Trust them! I am so grateful for HSD and I am confident I made the best choice for my service dog.
Bailey Lloyd in Covesville, Virginia:
I don’t even know where to begin!
I got a puppy from Victoria to train in order to be my service dog. Victoria was very honest and extremely helpful through everything! She truly does care for her puppies only wants them to succeed.
I just picked up my puppy today and I’m amazed at how trained she already is and how amazing her temperament is.
Just know if you get a puppy from Hope Service Dogs then you’re getting some of the sweetest, smartest, and fluffiest puppies ever. I highly recommend Hope Service Dog puppies to future service dog handlers and pet owners ❤️
Hayleigh Thomas in Franklinton, Louisiana:
Are you looking for a well rounded puppy to be your everyday helper and best friend?
Maybe you need a trusted companion that you can share all your secrets with and won't judge you?
Does the idea of getting a puppy terrify you because, well let's be honest, puppies can be terrors and training a tiny terrorist with sharp teeth and the brain of a toddler is the stuff of nightmares.
If you answered yes to any of those questions you should absolutely consider Hope Service Dogs for your next puppy.
Hope provides handlers with healthy and smart puppies that have not only health certified parents, but also an educational and motivational start in life (at just 3 days old!) to ensure they're raising the best dogs possible.
And that's not even all of it! With years of experience in training between the owners and their amazing trainers, you're going to receive top of the line training advice and support that will turn your training nightmare into your training dream!!
I highly recommend Hope Service Dogs for your service or companion dog needs!!
Angus has been a huge mobility help. He picks things up for me so I don't have to bend over. I have been setting him up for full mobility work (without the strain) and so far he's acing it. Braces against pressure, standing, stays in place.
Holly Morgan from Indianapolis, Indiana:
Kayleigh Nix in Ft Myers, Florida
Kiara alerts and intervenes with anxiety and panic attacks.
When she has noticed an increase in fidgeting and zoning out, she will come and boop me or put her paw on me to get my attention and bring me back to reality.
With my panic/anxiety attacks, I usually try and curl up and she will squish her way in, lay on me (Deep Pressure Therapy) and nose my hands onto her so I pat her instead of any self harm actions.
Amanda Picone in Long Island, New York:
Skywalker (Mermaid litter) is a lifesaver for Autism meltdowns. She does Deep Pressure Therapy, but she’ll sometimes add in some licks to distract (her own little addition!). She has also alerted for oncoming migraines due to low blood sugar.
