Dogs

What Dogs does

Dogs Inc (formerly referenced as Southeast Guide Dogs) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered in Palmetto, Florida, that breeds, raises, and trains guide dogs, service dogs, skilled companion dogs, and facility therapy dogs for people with vision loss, veterans with physical and invisible wounds, children, Gold Star families, and institutional healthcare and first responder facilities. Its core capability is a two-year canine training program beginning at two days old, using Labrador Retrievers and Goldadors (Labrador–Golden Retriever crosses), encompassing Puppy Academy, Puppy Kindergarten, Canine University, and a Canine Fitness Program, with each graduate learning approximately 40 advanced skills before matching with a recipient. The organization is dually accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) and Assistance Dogs International (ADI) — the only North American provider to combine guide and service dog placement with online and in-person training, ongoing alumni support, premium dog food, and preventative veterinary care at no cost to recipients.

Dogs Inc provides all dogs and services free of charge to recipients. Its revenue model is donor-driven and diversified across one-time and recurring individual donations, planned giving and bequests, the Cornerstone Society annual membership, corporate in-kind sponsorships (notably Fromm Family Pet Food and Elanco), event-based admissions (Discovery Day, Dog Skills Showcase, Beyond the Dark, Guide Dog Experience), the $19/month PupPal subscription, and a $6,000 public adoption cost-recovery fee for dogs not suited to working careers. Distribution is conducted via 20-day on-campus training at Palmetto, FL, in-home/community training in pre-approved markets, a digital application and online course pathway, and direct placements of facility therapy dogs to military medical facilities and Florida first responder agencies. Operating scale is 51–100 employees, 1,300+ puppies and dogs in care, 700+ active guide and service dog teams, and nearly 600 alumni receiving ongoing support, with a reported 99.9% student satisfaction rate. The organization is opening a new Visitor Center in Lakewood Ranch, Florida in Summer 2026 and is governed by a board chaired by Robert Meade, with Acting CEO Colleen Flaherty and a C-suite covering philanthropy, marketing, operations, finance, and infrastructure.

Name

Dogs

Legal name

Dogs Inc

Website

https://dogsinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Dogs Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 in Palmetto, Florida, that breeds and trains guide dogs, service dogs, skilled companion dogs, and facility therapy dogs for people with vision loss, veterans, children, Gold Star families, and healthcare facilities, providing all dogs and lifetime alumni support at no cost.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistance Dog Training and Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pet Services (Grooming, Training, Daycare) (CRALAIAJ)

Keywords

• Guide dog training
• Service dog programs
• Assistance dog services
• Canine breeding
• Facility therapy dogs

Headquarters

HQ city

Palmetto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring monetary donations from individuals supporting the mission. Donors can give online, by check, or through various planned giving vehicles.
2. PupPal Monthly Subscription: Monthly subscription program at $19/month providing exclusive puppy content, photos, videos, and digital wallpapers delivered to subscribers' inboxes.
3. Planned Giving: Wills, bequests, IRA distributions, and heritage society memberships enabling donors to leave lasting legacies.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnerships with corporations like Fromm Family Pet Food (donating dog food), Elanco (donating preventatives), and others providing in-kind support.
5. Event Revenue: Campus tours, Discovery Day tickets, and event admissions where reservation fees directly support the mission.
6. Public Adoption Fees: $6,000 cost recovery fee for public adoption of dogs not suitable for working careers, helping recuperate medical expenses, vaccinations, and care costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Dogs Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that breeds, raises, and trains guide dogs, service dogs, skilled companion dogs, and facility therapy dogs for people with vision loss, veterans, children, Gold Star families, and healthcare facilities. All dogs and training services are provided at no cost to recipients. The organization also runs the PupPal monthly subscription program, campus experience programs, an Emmy Award-winning Dogs of Destiny web series, and a public adoption program for dogs not suited for working careers.

Product overview

Dogs Inc operates the most advanced training facilities of any service dog organization in the world, offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs centered around guide dogs, service dogs, skilled companion dogs, and facility therapy dogs. The organization provides all dogs and services completely free of charge to recipients. The core product portfolio includes Guide Dogs for individuals with vision loss, Service Dogs for veterans and people with diabetes, Skilled Companion Dogs, and Facility Therapy Dogs. Supporting offerings include the PupPal monthly subscription program ($19/month), campus experience programs (tours, Dog Skills Showcase, Discovery Zone), the Emmy Award-winning Dogs of Destiny video series, volunteer puppy raising programs, a comprehensive Alumni Support Program, and a Public Adoption Program. Dogs Inc holds dual accreditation from the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Guide Dogs Expertly trained guide dogs for individuals with vision loss, including adults, veterans, and mature teens. Dogs undergo two years of training starting at two days old, learning approximately 40 advanced skills. Provided at no cost to recipients with on-campus training and lifetime alumni support.
• Service Dogs Highly skilled service dogs trained to assist veterans with physical and invisible wounds, people living with type 1 diabetes, and Gold Star family members. Includes lifesaving blood glucose detection and PTSD support. All provided free of charge with ongoing alumni support.
• Skilled Companion Dogs Trained companion dogs offering friendship to children and teens with vision loss and providing comfort to Gold Star families. Dogs receive nearly two years of training and socialization, demonstrating exceptional house manners and basic cue responses.
• Facility Therapy Dogs Therapy dogs providing peace to patients and healthcare workers at military facilities across the United States and comfort to first responder facilities in Central and South Florida.
• PupPal Monthly subscription program at $19/month offering exclusive puppy content delivered to subscribers' inboxes, including heartwarming photos, videos, and downloadable digital wallpapers featuring new puppies each month.
• Campus Tours Guided walking tours of the Palmetto, Florida campus where visitors witness how puppies transform into highly skilled working dogs, from Puppy Academy to Canine University.
• Beyond the Dark Immersive event experience where visitors with vision loss, veterans with disabilities, and Gold Star families can experience darkness in a new light and see how dogs bring hope beyond darkness.
• Dog Skills Showcase Small-group experience where visitors watch dogs demonstrate the skills that will change lives, while expert instructors explain guide and service dog training methods.
• Guide Dog Experience Interactive experience where participants walk blindfolded, relying on a trained dog to lead the way, learning about guide dog training and building trust.
• Discovery Zone

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% student satisfaction rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fromm Family Pet FoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Dog Food of Dogs Inc. Fromm donates premium dog food to nearly 600 active guide dogs and service dogs across the country. Family-owned company providing nutritional excellence for working dogs throughout the United States.
• ElancocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Sponsor of Preventative Health Products of Dogs Inc. Elanco provides Trifexis monthly preventatives to nearly 600 active guide dogs and service dogs, protecting against heartworms, fleas, and other parasites.
• Uber/Uber PetsminorOthersProvides local transportation through Uber and Uber Pets for alumni to veterinary appointments and other needs.
• Cencora Impact FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGenerous partnership supporting the Dogs of Destiny episode 'New Hope' featuring Hope Trentadue and guide dog Traveler.
• Bryan Nieman (Fromm Family)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFifth-generation family member of Fromm Family Pet Food who has publicly endorsed the partnership, noting commitment to excellence mirrored in Dogs Inc.
• Eric Lane (Elanco)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior District Manager for Elanco representing the company's purpose by supporting the Alumni Support Program at Dogs Inc.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Freedom Service Dogs: Nonprofit that transforms rescued dogs into service dogs for veterans and others with disabilities, provided free of charge. Comparable free-service model and focus on veteran/PTSD recipients.
• Service Dogs, Inc. Texas-based nonprofit training service, hearing, and skilled companion dogs for people with disabilities and veterans, provided at no cost. Comparable free-to-recipient model and multi-program nonprofit structure.
• The Seeing Eye: One of the oldest IGDF-accredited guide dog schools in the U.S., providing trained guide dogs to people with vision loss. Comparable in mission, training intensity, and alumni support obligations.
• NEADS World Class Service Dogs: Nonprofit providing service dogs for veterans with PTSD, people with physical disabilities, and children with autism. Comparable free-of-charge service delivery and veteran-focused programming.
• 4 Paws for Ability: Nonprofit that places service dogs with veterans, children with disabilities, and people with medical needs, including diabetic alert. Comparable free or low-fee service model and multi-specialty training.
• Guiding Eyes for the Blind: IGDF-accredited nonprofit breeding and training guide dogs for people with vision loss at no cost. Directly comparable in breed program (Labradors), training duration, and free-to-recipient model.
• K9s For Warriors: Largest nonprofit provider of service dogs for military veterans with PTSD and other invisible wounds. Direct overlap on the veteran segment and free-to-recipient model.
• Canine Companions for Independence: One of the largest nonprofit service dog organizations in the U.S., providing trained service dogs free of charge to people with disabilities, including veterans. Closely comparable scale, accreditation status, and free-to-recipient delivery model.
• Guide Dogs of America: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit IGDF/ADI-accredited guide and service dog provider serving clients with disabilities. Directly comparable mission, free-of-charge recipient model, and training methodology for guide dogs.

Broad incumbents

• Pet Partners: Large nonprofit registering therapy animal teams for visiting hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and first responder facilities. Comparable facility therapy dog mission but broader in scope across multiple species and volunteer-led delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dogsincofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/southeasternguidedogs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dogsinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/dogsinc.official
• TikToktiktok.com/@dogsinc.official

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Dogs