Freedom Service Dogs of America

What Freedom Service Dogs of America does

Freedom Service Dogs of America (FSD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 and headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, that breeds, trains, and places service dogs at no cost to recipients. Its client base is primarily individuals with disabilities, veterans, and children, with the program portfolio spanning Service Dogs, Facility Dogs, Skilled Companions, and a fee-based Pet Dog Placement offering priced at $3,000 per dog. Demand substantially exceeds supply: the organization maintains a waitlist of more than 90 applicants with an average wait time of approximately 2.5 years.

Operationally, FSD operates an in-house breeding program launched in 2020 that has produced 188+ puppies, reducing reliance on external breeders and giving the organization control over genetic selection and early socialization. The full cost to produce and train a service dog is reported at $15,000–$50,000, and the organization reports that $0.78 of every dollar goes to programmatic work. FSD is accredited by Assistance Dogs International and holds a four-star Charity Navigator rating, both of which function as operational and fundraising credentials.

FSD's revenue model is donation- and grant-driven, sourced from individual donors, corporate sponsors (notably oil-and-gas operators including ConocoPhillips, EOG, Chevron, Liberty Energy, and Core Laboratories), and foundation grants. Major fundraising vehicles include the annual Diamonds in the Ruff gala (which raised $773,376 in 2026 with 340 attendees) and the Faces of Freedom sporting clays campaign, which has raised over $4 million cumulatively since 2013 and was expanded to Houston in 2024. Leadership transitioned in 2024 with the appointment of Chris Nelson as CEO, recruited from peer nonprofit TGTHR.

Name

Freedom Service Dogs of America

Legal name

Freedom Service Dogs of America

Website

https://freedomservicedogs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Freedom Service Dogs of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 in Englewood, Colorado, that breeds, trains, and places service dogs at no cost to individuals with disabilities, veterans, and children, funding operations through donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistance Dog Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (1152), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Animal Boarding (Kennels, Catteries) (AFAEALAA)

Keywords

• Service dog training
• Assistance dog placement
• Veteran disability support
• Nonprofit animal services
• Canine therapy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Englewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: FSD relies entirely on charitable donations from private individuals to fund operations. The organization does not charge clients for service dogs.
2. Non-Government Grants: Funding comes from foundation and corporate grants, including foundation partners like May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, Patterson Foundation, and corporate sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Freedom Service Dogs of America breeds, custom-trains, and places assistance dogs at no cost to clients. The organization serves veterans and active-duty military, first responders, adults with mobility challenges, and young adults with autism by providing service dogs, facility dogs, skilled companions, and pet dog placements. Operations are funded entirely through charitable donations, grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Freedom Service Dogs of America (FSD) is a nonprofit organization that breeds, trains, and places custom-trained assistance dogs at no cost to clients. The organization offers four main product lines: FSD Service Dogs (custom-trained for veterans/first responders with PTSD, individuals with mobility challenges, and young adults with autism), FSD Facility Dogs (partnered with mental health and public safety professionals), FSD Skilled Companions (for veterans, first responders, and military families), and FSD Pet Dog Placement (for dogs not suited for service work). The organization operates volunteer puppy raising and fostering programs, hosts fundraising events including the Diamonds in the Ruff gala and Faces of Freedom sporting clays tournaments, and maintains a monthly giving program (Kibbles Club). All services and dogs are provided free of charge to clients, funded entirely through charitable donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FSD Service Dogs Custom-trained service dogs that perform specific tasks for veterans and first responders with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries, adults with mobility challenges, and young adults with autism. Trained behaviors include waking clients from nightmares, interrupting flashbacks, creating space in public places, retrieving items, opening doors and drawers, and operating lights.
• FSD Facility Dogs Expertly trained dogs partnered with mental health or public safety professionals to provide therapeutic support in residential, educational, or clinical settings. Purpose-bred and custom-trained to perform specific skilled tasks in facilities including schools, hospitals, public safety departments, and clinical therapy offices.
• FSD Skilled Companions Well-trained dogs that have undergone months of basic training but are not specialized in a particular skill or trained for public access. Placed with veterans, first responders, active-duty military and their families, and Gold Star families to provide comfort and companionship.
• FSD Pet Dog Placement Placement program for dogs that do not meet qualifications to become service dogs, facility dogs, or skilled companions due to confidence issues, distractibility, or medical issues. One-time placement fee of $3,000.
• In-House Dog Breeding Program In-house breeding program producing purpose-bred Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and golden/Lab crosses selected for service dog work based on strict health and behavioral standards, providing FSD with reliable service dog candidates while reducing client wait times.

Quantifiable outcome

• $.78 of every dollar goes directly to programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Core LaboratoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore Laboratories founded the Faces of Freedom Sporting Clays Tournament in 2013. The tournament expanded to Midland, TX in 2016 and Houston, TX in 2024. Core Lab continues as co-presenting sponsor of the Houston event.
• Kroenke Sports CharitiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and sponsor of FSD events and client teams. Provided sponsorship for facility dog Slash and veteran Jennifer's service dog Tazer.
• Liberty EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and event sponsor. Employees Austin Butler serves on the Young Professionals Council. Multiple event sponsorships including Faces of Freedom Denver.
• Dr. Marty PetsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates portion of Nature's Blend freeze-dried dog food sales to FSD. Sponsored multiple graduating teams including Shannon & Hermes, Hadley & Ponzu, Dan & Messi, Leann & Quali, Ritchy & Selkie, and Heidi & Breeze.
• Quick-TagminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates $2 from sale of every 'Good Dog' tag to FSD. Tags available at Walmart, Petsmart, and Petco stores nationwide.
• ConocoPhillipsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and event sponsor. Board member Al Hirshberg retired as COO of ConocoPhillips.
• EOG ResourcesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and event sponsor for Faces of Freedom tournaments. Multiple sponsorship levels across Denver, Midland, and Houston events.
• ChevronmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing event sponsorship and support for FSD programs.
• Assistance Dog International (ADI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSD is an accredited member of ADI, adhering to highest standards of training, client service, and dog health, safety and wellbeing. Also provides complaint resolution pathway for dissatisfied clients.
• Purina Pro PlanmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides dog food for FSD puppies and dogs in training. Puppy raisers feed all puppies Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy kibble.
• Colorado AvalancheminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNHL team with Team Dog Maxy featured at events. Colorado Avalanche mascot Bernie has appeared at FSD events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services): Nonprofit service dog organization providing custom-trained dogs for veterans, civilians with disabilities, and hearing-ear dogs. Comparable in ADI accreditation, free placement model, and veteran/mobility focus.
• ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities): Nonprofit training service dogs for veterans and individuals with mobility/autoimmune/autism needs. Comparable in client base, custom task training, and free-of-charge placement.
• Service Dogs Inc. Texas-based nonprofit that custom-trains and places service dogs with veterans and people with disabilities at no cost. Comparable in mobility task training and veteran focus.
• America's VetDogs: 501(c)(3) that trains and places service dogs with veterans, active-duty military, and first responders at no cost. Directly comparable in client base, mobility/PTSD task training, and free-of-charge placement.
• K9s For Warriors: Nonprofit providing custom-trained service dogs exclusively to veterans with PTSD/TBI, free of charge. Shares FSD's veteran-focused mission, ADI accreditation path, and donation-funded model.
• Paws With A Cause: National nonprofit that custom-trains service dogs for clients with disabilities and trains facility dogs for professionals. Directly comparable in mission, ADI accreditation, and donation-funded operations.
• Canine Companions for Independence: National ADI-accredited nonprofit that custom-trains service dogs for veterans, adults with disabilities, and children — closely overlapping with FSD's mission, training methodology, and free-to-client delivery model.

Regional players

• Assistance Dogs of the West: New Mexico-based nonprofit training service dogs for veterans and individuals with disabilities. Comparable mission and training approach, but serves a different geography than FSD.

Broad incumbents

• Guide Dogs for the Blind: Large, established ADI-accredited nonprofit that trains guide and service dogs at scale with in-house breeding. Comparable in breeding program, training methodology, and free-of-charge client model, though broader in scope.

Emerging players

• Canine Assisted Therapy: Nonprofit that trains and places therapy and facility dogs with mental health professionals and crisis support teams. Comparable in the facility-dog segment of FSD's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FreedomServiceDogs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freedom-service-dogs
• Instagraminstagram.com/freedomservicedogs
• Xx.com/freedomsvcdogs

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Freedom Service Dogs of America