Deafinitely Dogs

What Deafinitely Dogs does

Deafinitely Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded circa 2014 and headquartered at 2802 Lippisch Place SW in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The organization trains and places service dogs across four core programs: PTSD Dogs for military veterans, Hearing Dogs for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, Facility Dogs for institutional settings such as schools, hospitals, courthouses, and counseling offices, and a volunteer-based Puppy Raising pipeline that includes a Loras College campus program called DuDawgs. Training is conducted using positive reinforcement methods under a CCPDT-certified lead trainer, with dogs matched to recipients based on personality and needs.

The business model is a hybrid of charitable donations and fee-based services. PTSD dogs are placed at no cost to veterans, with the organization assisting veterans in fundraising. Facility dogs are sold to organizations for $4,500 plus a $50 application fee. Funding streams include individual donations, monthly Campus Pups giving at $50/month, a puppy naming program ($1,000 individual, $2,500 corporate, $10,000 per litter), an annual Charity Golf Tournament with sponsorship tiers from $300 to $1,500, and Amazon Wishlist in-kind donations. At any given time, approximately 35 dogs are in training at an average cost of $22,000-$25,000 per dog for the first two years, with about 14 working service teams currently active.

The organization operates with 1-10 employees, is led by co-founders Lorette Vanourny (Director of Operations and Lead Trainer) and Sherry Steine Ross (Director of Finance, Treasurer, Corporate Secretary), and is governed by a board of six members. Distribution is regional across the Midwest, with placements managed through a direct application, home visit, and team training process. Marketing is community-led via Facebook, Instagram, success stories, speaking engagements, and the annual golf tournament, with go-to-market heavily reliant on word-of-mouth from puppy raisers and recipients.

Name

Deafinitely Dogs

Legal name

Deafinitely Dogs!

Website

https://deafinitelydogs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Deafinitely Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that trains and places service dogs for military veterans with PTSD, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and institutional facilities, funding operations through donations, facility dog placement fees, and community events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Service Dog Training and Placement

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Training-Integrated Dog Daycare (Day Training) (HSANAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Service & Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodations Management (EDALAGAK)

Keywords

• Service dog training
• PTSD service dogs
• Hearing assistance dogs
• Facility dog placement
• Nonprofit animal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations fund veterinary care, food, and training for service dogs placed at no cost with recipients. Monthly giving program (Campus Pups at $50/month) supports dogs in training. One-time gifts of any size accepted via PayPal.
2. Puppy Naming Program: Individual donations of $1,000 allow naming of a puppy; corporate donations of $2,500 for naming; $10,000 to name an entire litter. Donors receive pictures, training updates, graduation invitations.
3. Facility Dog Placement Fees: Organizations pay $4,500 for professionally trained Facility Dogs, plus $50 application fee. Dogs work with handlers in schools, hospitals, courthouses, and counseling offices.
4. Event Sponsorships and Registration: Annual Charity Golf Tournament at $80 per golfer with sponsorship packages from $300 to $1,500. Includes hole signs, event advertising, and tournament entries for corporate sponsors.
5. Amazon Wishlist Donations: Supplies donated via Amazon Wishlist including food, toys, and training supplies shipped directly to organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Deafinitely Dogs! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains and places service dogs with individuals and organizations, including PTSD service dogs for veterans (placed at no cost), hearing dogs for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, and facility dogs for schools, hospitals, courthouses, and counseling offices. The organization funds training, veterinary care, and placement through donations, grants, fundraising events, and facility dog placement fees.

Product overview

Deafinitely Dogs! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit service dog organization offering four core service dog programs: PTSD Dogs for military veterans, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and hard of hearing, Facility Dogs for institutional settings, and Puppy Raising as a volunteer feeder program. Additional offerings include the DuDawgs campus program with Loras College, annual Charity Golf Tournament fundraising events, educational speaking engagements, and puppy naming fundraisers. The organization places approximately 35 dogs in training at any time with about 14 current working service teams, with training costs averaging $22,000-$25,000 per dog.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DuDawgs: A campus service and facility dog training club program at Loras College, where students puppy raise for Deafinitely Dogs!

Products and services

• PTSD Dogs Service dogs trained specifically for military veterans living with post-traumatic stress; trained to interrupt anxiety, stop nightmares or flashbacks, and provide companionship to reduce isolation. Placed with veterans at no cost, with the organization assisting recipients with fundraising.
• Hearing Dogs Hearing dogs alert people who are Deaf or hard of hearing to household sounds such as smoke/fire alarms, doorbells, kitchen timers, baby cries, and phone ringing, physically touching and leading their person to the source of the sound.
• Facility Dogs Professionally trained facility dogs deployed in schools, hospitals, funeral homes, counseling offices, and courthouses, working with their handler to provide comfort and emotional support to many people in professional settings. Organizations pay a $4,500 placement fee plus a $50 application fee.
• Puppy Raising Program Volunteer puppy raisers provide future service dogs with their first year of love and learning, working with dogs from approximately 8 weeks to 18 months of age to establish a foundation of socialization, experiences, and obedience training.
• DuDawgs Campus Program Campus program at Loras College where students puppy raise for Deafinitely Dogs. Club members learn training techniques using positive reinforcement while living with and training a future service dog.
• Charity Golf Outing Annual fundraising event held at Lake MacBride Golf Course, Solon, Iowa. The 2-person best shot format includes breakfast, 18 holes of golf, cart, and lunch, with flight prizes and service dogs in training attending; $80 per golfer with sponsorship packages from $300 to $1,500.
• Speaking Engagements Educational presentations available to businesses, clubs, organizations, or nonprofits covering service dogs, benefits of service animals, public access rights, and types of dogs trained. Offered free of charge to any organization.
• Name a Puppy or Litter Fundraising program allowing donors to name a puppy ($1,000 individual donation), corporate naming ($2,500), or name an entire litter ($10,000). Naming donors receive pictures, training updates, placement notifications, and invitations to graduation ceremonies.
• Support a Veteran Program helping place trained PTSD service dogs with veterans at no cost, including veteran mentoring, community connection, and partnership with veteran organizations for those in need of a service dog.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero school absences achieved for a student who previously missed 122 days due to anxiety
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Animal Assistance Intervention International (AAII)coreOthersDeafinitely Dogs is a member of AAII, committing staff to learn more about animal-assisted interventions including animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted education.
• GuideStarcoreOthersBronze-Level Participant showing commitment to transparency. Organization shares basic information including address, contact, mission statement, geographic area served, and board leadership with public and donors.
• Edgewood Animal HospitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that has donated finances or services to Deafinitely Dogs organization.
• Frey Animal HospitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that has donated finances or services to Deafinitely Dogs organization.
• Quaker Oats CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that has donated finances or services to Deafinitely Dogs organization.
• Tanager PlaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that has donated finances or services to Deafinitely Dogs organization.
• Warrior Memorial RideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that has donated finances or services to Deafinitely Dogs organization.
• Bold Lead DesignsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization collaborating with Deafinitely Dogs.
• Community of Artists and Veterans (CAV)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization working with Deafinitely Dogs.
• Critter CrusadersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization collaborating with Deafinitely Dogs.
• Healing on the FlyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization working with Deafinitely Dogs.
• Helping HeroesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization collaborating with Deafinitely Dogs.
• Lifeline PilotsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization working with Deafinitely Dogs.
• Mount Mercy UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization collaborating with Deafinitely Dogs.
• Loras College DuDawgscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus service and facility dog training club where students puppy raise for Deafinitely Dogs. Goal is for puppies to graduate to help people with disabilities. Students learn training techniques using positive reinforcement while living with and training future service dogs.
• Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)coreOthersLead trainer is a certified professional dog trainer recognized by CCPDT, ensuring service dogs are trained by qualified professionals who have passed testing by this reputable organization.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Service Dogs Inc. Nonprofit that trains and places hearing dogs, service dogs for physical disabilities, and skilled companions. Comparable program mix to Deafinitely Dogs, especially on the hearing dog side.
• K9s For Warriors: Nonprofit specifically focused on providing service dogs to military veterans with PTSD and other service-related trauma. Direct overlap with Deafinitely Dogs' veteran PTSD placement program, operating at significantly larger scale.
• Paws With A Cause: Nonprofit that trains service dogs for people with disabilities and places facility dogs, with a multi-program model overlapping Deafinitely Dogs' PTSD, hearing, and facility dog offerings.
• Canine Companions for Independence: National nonprofit that trains and places service dogs for individuals with physical disabilities, veterans with PTSD, and facility dog placements. Directly comparable service model and program structure to Deafinitely Dogs at meaningfully greater scale.
• NEADS World Class Service Dogs: Nonprofit training service dogs for veterans with PTSD, hearing loss, and other disabilities, with a multi-program model and nonprofit donation revenue structure closely paralleling Deafinitely Dogs.

Others

• Assistance Dogs International: Industry membership and accreditation body for service dog organizations. Deafinitely Dogs operates within this peer ecosystem and is a member of the related Animal Assistance Intervention International.

Broad incumbents

• Pet Partners: National nonprofit focused on animal-assisted interventions including therapy animal teams in facilities (hospitals, schools, courthouses). Closely aligned with Deafinitely Dogs' facility dog program mission.

Regional players

• MercyCorps Australia: Listed for completeness only — not a true peer. Deafinitely Dogs has limited direct international peers; regional service dog nonprofits in other geographies do not exist in provided data at materially comparable scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DeafinitelyDogs
• Instagraminstagram.com/deafinitelydogs

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Deafinitely Dogs