Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD)
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (dba Guide Dogs of America) is a Sylmar, California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains and places guide dogs, veteran PTSD service dogs, autism service dogs for children, and facility dogs at no cost to recipients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) does
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating under the doing-business-as name Guide Dogs of America. It is headquartered in Sylmar, California, in the San Fernando Valley, where it maintains its main campus and training facility. The organization is accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), and participates in the International Guiding Eyes Program. Its EIN is 95-1586088.
TLCAD's core product is the training and placement of assistance dogs to multiple beneficiary groups: guide dogs for the visually impaired, service dogs for veterans with PTSD, service dogs for children with autism, and facility/therapy dogs for institutional settings. Its underlying technical platform is biological and behavioral rather than digital, centered on an integrated pipeline of in-house breeding, volunteer puppy raising, prison-based advanced training, and ongoing graduate support services. No proprietary software, AI/ML systems, or patented technology is indicated in the available information.
The business model is donation-driven rather than revenue-generating: dogs are placed at no cost to recipients, and operating costs are funded through charitable contributions, fundraising events, and recurring giving programs (including a $25/month 'Paws to Help' subscription). Marketing and donor acquisition rely on the Guide Dogs of America brand, a multi-channel social media presence, and third-party validation through Candid/GuideStar Platinum Transparency, Charity Navigator Top-Rated, and 'Best in America' designations. No M&A activity, equity funding, or capital markets transactions are applicable given the nonprofit structure.
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD)
- Legal name
- Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc.
- Website
- https://tenderlovingcanines.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (dba Guide Dogs of America) is a Sylmar, California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains and places guide dogs, veteran PTSD service dogs, autism service dogs for children, and facility dogs at no cost to recipients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Assistance Dog Services
- NAICS
- Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI)
Keywords
Where Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The nonprofit generates revenue through charitable donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and event-based fundraising campaigns such as the Quilt Raffle and Paws Forward campaign. Donors can make one-time or monthly recurring donations (e.g., $25/month Paws to Help program).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly giving program - Paws to Help |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels9 records
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (d.b.a. Guide Dogs of America) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that breeds, raises, trains, and places guide dogs and service dogs at no cost to qualified recipients. Its core offerings include guide dogs for blind/visually impaired individuals, service dogs for veterans with PTSD, autism service dogs for children, and facility dogs for institutional settings, supported by in-house breeding, volunteer puppy raising, and a prison training program.
Product overview
Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines is a non-profit organization offering a unified portfolio of service dog programs. The core offerings include guide dogs for visually impaired individuals, service dogs for veterans with PTSD, autism service dogs for children, and facility dogs for institutional settings. These services are supported by complementary programs including a puppy raising program, breeding program, prison training program, therapy dog program, and graduate support services. The organization also operates a career change dog adoption program and puppy sponsorship initiative. The portfolio functions as a vertically integrated service dog ecosystem, from breeding and puppy raising through advanced training and lifetime graduate support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Guide Dogs for Visually Impaired Specially trained guide dogs placed with blind or visually impaired individuals to provide increased mobility, confidence, and independence in daily navigation. Dogs are provided at no cost to qualified recipients.
- Veteran Service Dogs Service dogs trained to assist veterans with PTSD and other disabilities, providing emotional support and practical assistance to enhance daily living. Provided at no cost to qualified recipients.
- Autism Service Dogs Service dogs trained to assist children with autism, providing safety, companionship, and support for the entire family. Provided at no cost to qualified families.
- Facility Dogs Specially trained dogs placed in healthcare facilities, schools, and other institutional settings to provide therapeutic support and assistance to patients, clients, and students.
- Therapy Dog Program Program placing therapy dogs in various settings to provide emotional support and therapeutic interactions with clients, patients, and community members.
Companies that use Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD)
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- International Guiding Eyes ProgramcoreGDA/TLCAD is an accredited member of the International Guiding Eyes Program, which provides standards, support, and recognition for guide dog schools globally. This affiliation ensures adherence to international training and welfare standards.
- Assistance Dogs International (ADI)coreAccredited member of Assistance Dogs International, the leading authority for assistance dog organizations worldwide. ADI sets standards for training, placement, and welfare of assistance dogs.
- International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)coreAccredited member of IGDF, which defines and maintains internationally recognized standards for guide dog training and puppy raising programs.
- Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)minorRegistered as a CFC charity, allowing federal employees to donate through workplace giving campaigns. This provides access to a dedicated donor base of federal employees.
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW)minorIAMAW is listed as a partner/certification holder, potentially related to the Prison Training Program which may involve union-affiliated correctional facilities.
- Orange County Quilters GuildminorCollaborates on the annual Quilt Raffle fundraiser, with the guild donating handmade quilts to support GDA/TLCAD's programs.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Guide Dogs for the Blind: Major accredited nonprofit breeding and training guide dogs for visually impaired individuals across the western US. Operates a similar vertically integrated model with own breeding program and volunteer puppy raisers, directly comparable to TLCAD's guide dog program.
- K9s For Warriors: Largest nonprofit exclusively dedicated to providing trained service dogs to veterans with PTSD and other service-related challenges. Direct overlap with TLCAD's veteran service dog program and similar donation-funded operating model.
- Paws With A Cause: Nonprofit that breeds, raises, and trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities and trains hearing dogs. Uses volunteer puppy raisers and places dogs at no cost; directly comparable mission, scale, and funding structure.
- Canine Companions for Independence: Largest US nonprofit providing trained service dogs to people with disabilities (mobility, hearing, autism, veterans). Direct peer sharing the same volunteer puppy raiser model, ADI accreditation, and donation-funded free placement to recipients.
- Dogs for Better Lives (formerly Dogs for the Deaf): Nonprofit that rescues and trains service dogs (hearing, autism assistance, facility dogs) and places them at no cost to recipients. Comparable ADI-accredited organization with similar donation-funded, volunteer-raiser operating model.
- America's VetDogs: Nonprofit training guide and service dogs for disabled veterans, active-duty personnel, and first responders. ADI-accredited and part of the Guide Dog Foundation family; directly comparable for the veteran PTSD segment TLCAD serves.
- NEADS World Class Service Dogs: Nonprofit that trains service dogs for veterans with PTSD, children with autism, and people with physical disabilities. Uses prison training programs and volunteer puppy raisers in a structure highly analogous to TLCAD.
- Southeastern Guide Dogs: ADL/IGDF-accredited nonprofit breeding and training guide and service dogs for visually impaired, veterans, and children with special needs. Comparable vertically integrated model with own breeding program and volunteer puppy raiser network.
- Service Dogs Inc. (SDI): Texas-based nonprofit training service dogs for mobility, PTSD, and autism. Comparable in scope, funding model, and accreditation (ADI member) to TLCAD's service dog programs.
Others
- International Guiding Eyes Program: Parent affiliated network and standards body for accredited guide dog schools including TLCAD. Comparable as a service dog nonprofit operator but functions as the umbrella accreditation/peer organization rather than direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) social profiles
Digital presenceTender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD)
What does Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) do?
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (d.b.a. Guide Dogs of America) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that breeds, raises, trains, and places guide dogs and service dogs at no cost to qualified recipients. Its core offerings include guide dogs for blind/visually impaired individuals, service dogs for veterans with PTSD, autism service dogs for children, and facility dogs for institutional settings, supported by in-house breeding, volunteer puppy raising, and a prison training program.
Is Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) a public or private company?
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) founded?
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) based?
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Fundraising.
Who are Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Guide Dogs for the Blind, K9s For Warriors, Paws With A Cause, Canine Companions for Independence, Dogs for Better Lives (formerly Dogs for the Deaf), America's VetDogs, NEADS World Class Service Dogs, Southeastern Guide Dogs and Service Dogs Inc. (SDI). International Guiding Eyes Program is listed as an others.
Does Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD).
What industry is Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD) in?
Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD)'s product category is Assistance Dog Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAIAF, Foster & Volunteer Network Programs, with a secondary code of HLAMAAAI, Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services. Its NAICS code is 813212 and its SIC code is 8300.