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I Think I Need A Service Dog... Now What?!?
So you have found yourself looking for additional treatments when therapy, medication, etc aren't enough. You are wondering if you qualify for a service dog, if your family will be supportive, or if your doctor will agree that it is a needed addition to your treatment plan. You may also be wondering if a service dog may be able to help you; You have no idea where to start and you're worried that you may not be able to afford or handle the extra attention that a service dog brings to you. Well, it isn't a cookie cutter answer but we are here to help!
To the right you will find some links on service dog laws as a place to start learning. We also recommend you message or email with us and if you are close enough come out on an outing with us. We also arrange meet & greets with some of our former/current clients so they can share their experiences to help you gauge the good, bad, and hardships.
We provide services to help find breeders, litters, and temperament test puppies for service work. We also will take in rehome dogs occasionally that are good candidates for service work and will match them with clients and then help them to train them. We also offer fully trained dogs and started service dogs on top of our owner-trained program.
Service Dog Reading List
ADA Law:
https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
ADA Frequently Asked Questions:
https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
DOJ's new ADA beta site:
https://beta.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/
More resources coming soon....
Fully Trained Program Dogs
Our program dogs are fully customizable to your needs. We specialize in multi-purpose service dogs. We have handlers come up with two lists a "must have" & an "ideal" task list. There are two routes for our fully trained programs: our raise & train dogs, as well as, our acquire & train.
The raise & train program is typically dogs that we bring in at 8 weeks old & sometimes between 12 & 18 months we match them with a handler & then finish
out their training tailored to fit their handlers needs.
Our acquire & train is similar as we bring in puppies around 8 weeks old. The difference is we pick out a puppy specifically for their intended handler in mind.
We then raise & train them specifically for their handler. We do have
contingencies in our contracts just incase in the long run the dog doesn't end up making a good fit but the handler still ends up with a fully trained dog for the
same total cost.
Our fully trained program dogs run $30,000-$35,000. This includes lifetime
training, all necessary working gear including: leash, tools (collar, martingale,
prong, headcollar, etc.), program vest, mobility harness (if a mobility dog), boots,
rain gear, cool coat, etc. They also come with emergency crate bags, name bags,
& more. We do offer payment plans over 2-3 years after an initial program deposit.
To Apply, fill out the google application below.
Service Dog In Training Magic
(came through our acquire & train program) is set to go home summer 2026.
Service Dog Bruce (raise & train) was placed in 2025 with his handler Sage..
Our Program Dogs IN Training
Gus is a third generation Service Dog who is currently in training with us. Gus is the off spring to our previously placed service dog Cinder who we partnered with Three Lakes Labradors to produce his litter with the goal of producing quality service dogs, working dogs, as well as, sport/companion dogs. Gus has two other siblings who are also service dogs in training, as well as a sister who is going into Search & Rescue work. Cinder & Gus' Maternal Grandfather Blue are not only both service dogs but are both natural medical alert dogs. Our hope is that Gus has also inherited this skill so that we can utilize this to make him an intuitive medical alert dog like several aunts, uncles, & extended family members have been/are.
Gus was born in October 2025 & updates will be posted as he learns & grows. So far he is super laid back, loves to snuggle, has a stellar recall, & is brave but sensitive. Gus will be stepping into the show ring this year as well as continuing his training to be a service dog someday.
Three Lakes Labs Cinder's Octavius "GUS"
Three Lakes Labs She Controls the Weather "Pudge"
Pudge is a bench line female, black Labrador out of Three Lakes Labradors Darcy & Backwoods Pond Labradors Dux born in June 2025. I had dreamed of a Dux baby so when the opportunity presented to own one out of this breeding pair I jumped. Pudge was the sweetest, all around lab pick from her litter by Alexie, Will, & the trainer who came out to temperament test the Ohana Means Family Litter. We decided to name her Pudge after the fish in Lilo & Stitch. Pudge has only started her time in the ring and already has 8 of 10 Puppy of Achievement points for AKC, several BPUP (Beginner Puppy; 4-6 months) Best of Breeds (BOB), one Best Opposite (BOS), & multiple Beginner Puppy Sporting Group placements including a Group 1 from her first show weekend in Salem, VA back in October at newly 4 months old. Pudge is now competing in normal Breed classes & we can't wait to share more about her journey in both the show ring & in service work.
Pudge is silly, sweet, energetic, & incredibly fun to be around. She has a nice work mode switch already & when she steps into the ring she is all business compared to her pre-ring shenanigans. She enjoys outings, playing in the yard, & just has a zest for life. Pudge always has
to have something in her mouth around the house & we lovingly call her the queen of chaos. Our hope for Pudge is that someday she may whelp our first in-house litter raised carefully in preparation for service work & being set up for life. Until she is 2 & all of her health testing can be completed we are enjoying raising & training Pudge for her future career as a service dog.