Why Choose HOPE?

People come to us with heart-wrenching stories, desperately needing a service dog to assist them. Sometimes they had a great dog that could be an excellent service dog candidate. Other times, the dog isn’t suitable, or the owner struggles because the breed of the chosen dog isn’t a fit for service work, often due to a mismatch from the breeder.

We knew there had to be a better way - one that increases success for those in need of a service dog by providing a puppy raised from birth to be the very best. In this unique position, we aimed to set owner-trainers up for success and change their lives.

That’s how Hope Service Dogs, Inc (HSD) was born. Established in 2018 and granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status in June 2019, we set out to make a difference.

Gypsy, Victoria’s golden retriever service dog, was intended to be the foundation of our breeding program. However, while her health testing results were largely positive, her final OFA hip score was “Mild," which did not meet our standards for breeding. Although her veterinarian cleared her for service work and light mobility, we wanted better for our breeding program, and Gypsy was spayed.

Victoria reached out to a breeder friend who had participated in her online service dog school, for guidance on finding a dog that would meet our health testing criteria. The breeder generously donated Lucy & Ginger to HSD as our foundation girls.

Lucy had completed her health testing, and Ginger had her prelims. After completing Ginger’s hips and elbows, we found her PennHip results placed her in the top 13% of all golden retrievers tested. You can click on their links to see their full health testing results; we utilize both PennHip & OFA for hip evaluations.

In 2020, we acquired Leta, who had her junior championship and FCI health clearances. Upon her arrival from Europe, we re-tested her with both PennHip & OFA, finding her results placed her in the top 31% of all goldens tested.

Not every dog will meet the strict requirements for our breeding program, but some may occasionally be available.

Our aim is to breed the best - health and temperament are key - because individuals with service dogs do not need a dog with disabilities.

In 2020, we bred our first litters of golden retrievers, a milestone years in the making. There’s a reason many service dog programs use golden retrievers; they are among the top breeds for service dog work, especially for conditions we specialize in, such as dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, medical alert, response, recovery, and mobility support. However, finding a health-tested golden retriever prepared for service dog life can be challenging.

You can trust that our team will ensure your puppy has the very best start possible, with extensive environmental exposure, socialization, early neurological stimulation, early scent introduction, handling, puppy culture, Avidog and more. Your puppy will be set up for a lifetime of learning.

Not every puppy in the litter will become a service dog. We strive to place each puppy with the right family, including service dog candidates, therapy dog candidates, and companion (pet) dogs.

You want the perfect puppy.

Chose one bred and raised by professional service dog trainers.

All of our puppies receive equal loving care, along with the special activities and challenges that set them up for a lifetime of success with you.

Hope Service Dogs, Inc. Changing lives and providing HOPE for tomorrow.