Pestrá, o.p.s.
Pestrá, o.p.s. is a Prague-based non-profit founded in 2009 that trains assistance dogs using kennel-free methodology and provides registered social rehabilitation services for people with physical, sensory, autism, and seizure disabilities across the Czech Republic. It is the only ADI-accredited organization in the country and operates an ergotherapy room, a social-enterprise travel agency, and corporate accessibility workshops.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersPrague, Czechia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Pestrá, o.p.s. does
Pestrá, o.p.s. is a Czech public benefit company (obecně prospěšná společnost) founded in 2009 in Prague that trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities using a natural kennel-free methodology in which puppies are raised in trainers' homes rather than in kennels, with training customized to each client's disability profile (physical, visual, hearing, seizure, autism, and combined). The organization also operates a registered nationwide social rehabilitation service and an ergotherapy training room where clients can trial and borrow compensatory aids. Pestrá is the only organization in the Czech Republic accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI), and its director chairs CEN/TC 452, the European technical committee developing the EN 17984 standard series for assistance dogs.
The core technology is the kennel-free training program, which takes 8–9 months per dog and is individually matched to each client; each dog costs approximately 250,000 Kč to train and the annual puppy kindergarten budget is 700,000 Kč. The product portfolio includes the assistance dog program, social rehabilitation services, the ergotherapy room, the Pestrá cestovka social-enterprise travel agency (originally Bezbatour), corporate experiential workshops on disability communication, and accessibility audits. The organization has trained 99 assistance dogs over 17 years and currently supports 100+ clients, with 183 clients served across 5,662 direct work hours in 2025 alone.
Revenue is generated entirely on a non-commercial basis, as all services are provided free to clients. Funding comes from a diversified mix of public sources (MPSV, Prague Magistrate, Úřad práce), private foundations (Nadace ČEZ, NADACE J&T, Nadace člověk člověku, Pomozte dětem), corporate sponsors (Škoda Auto, Philip Morris ČR, Alza.cz, CANIS SAFETY), individual donations via Darujme.cz and SMS, and social enterprise income (travel agency commissions, sock dog merchandise through Alza.cz). Pestrá employs 17 staff, more than half of whom are people with disabilities, and is led by executive director Jana Khan, who assumed the role in 2018 from co-founder Michal Prager.
Pestrá, o.p.s. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pestrá, o.p.s.
- Legal name
- Pestrá, o.p.s.
- Website
- https://pestra.cz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Pestrá, o.p.s. is a Prague-based non-profit founded in 2009 that trains assistance dogs using kennel-free methodology and provides registered social rehabilitation services for people with physical, sensory, autism, and seizure disabilities across the Czech Republic. It is the only ADI-accredited organization in the country and operates an ergotherapy room, a social-enterprise travel agency, and corporate accessibility workshops.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pestrá, o.p.s. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability and Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Service & Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodations Management (EDALAGAK)
Keywords
Where Pestrá, o.p.s. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Prague
- HQ country
- Czechia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Pestrá, o.p.s. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors, corporate donors, and public donations. Accepts one-time and recurring donations via bank transfer, Darujme.cz platform, DMS (SMS donations), and in-kind contributions. Donation amounts include 300 Kč (collar), 500 Kč (veterinary examination), 1,000 Kč (social work with client).
- Public Grants and Subsidies: Government funding from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MPSV), Prague City Hall (Magistrát hl. m. Prahy), and Labour Office (Úřad práce). Some training programs supported by specific government bodies (e.g., Magistrate of Prague supports individual dog training).
- Social Rehabilitation Service (Free to Clients): Registered social rehabilitation service provided free of charge to clients across the Czech Republic. Funded through public social service subsidies and grants.
- Pestrá Cestovka (Travel Agency): Social enterprise travel agency selling travel packages from major Czech travel operators (EXIM tours, FISCHER, firo tour, Blue Style). Commission from travel agencies funds dog training. No extra cost to customers. Operates as a dual-purpose social enterprise generating revenue while employing people with disabilities.
- Fee-Based Services (Workshops, Audits): Organization sells experiential workshops on communicating with people with disabilities to corporate clients (offered as náhradní plnění / alternative compliance), and accessibility audits for businesses and institutions.
- Ponožkový Pestrouš (Sock Dog Sales): Sale of handcrafted sock dogs ('Pestrouš') with 100% of proceeds going to assistance dog training. Sold via Alza.cz and direct sales. Generated nearly half a million CZK since 2014.
- Compensatory Aids Lending: Ergotherapy room includes a lending service for compensatory aids. Equipment lending is provided as part of social rehabilitation services, free of charge.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Assistance dog training — free for clients |
| Subscription | Annual | Partner tiers — annual partnership contributions |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Sponsorship amounts |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Pestrá psí školka annual cost |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Experiential workshops for companies |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Accessibility audit |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels12 records
Pestrá, o.p.s. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pestrá, o.p.s. trains assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities using a natural, kennel-free methodology that is the only program in the Czech Republic accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). Each dog is individually matched and trained for approximately 8–9 months to support physical, visual, hearing, seizure, or combined disabilities, with continuous long-term aftercare. The organization also delivers a registered social rehabilitation service, an ergotherapy training room with compensatory aids, and complementary social-enterprise activities (travel agency, corporate workshops, accessibility audits).
Product overview
Pestrá, o.p.s. is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of services centered on assistance dog training and social rehabilitation for people with disabilities. The core offering is natural, kennel-free assistance dog training ( accredited by Assistance Dogs International), paired with comprehensive social rehabilitation services. Supporting services include an ergotherapeutic training room with assistive technologies, a travel agency (Pestrá cestovka), experiential workshops for businesses, and barrier-free audits. Fundraising and advocacy campaigns include Ponožkový Pestrouš, Milionový pes, and Pestrý život lidí s postižením. The organization provides services nationwide in the Czech Republic with ongoing aftercare for clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Asistenční psi (Assistance Dog Training) Natural, kennel-free training of assistance dogs for children and adults with various disabilities — physical, visual, hearing, seizure, and combined. Each dog is individually matched and trained for approximately 8–9 months to support the client's specific daily activities, mobility, therapy, and independence. Long-term aftercare is provided throughout the dog's working life.
- Sociální rehabilitace (Social Rehabilitation Service) Registered social service providing comprehensive support to people with disabilities across the Czech Republic free of charge, including assistance dog placement, ongoing training, and lifelong aftercare for assistance dog owners.
- Nácviková ergoterapeutická místnost (Ergotherapeutic Training Room) Training room with compensatory aids and assistive technologies from the Czech Republic and abroad, allowing clients to try, train with, and borrow equipment. Includes comprehensive ergotherapeutic support for selecting assistive devices.
- Pestrá cestovka (Pestrá Travel Agency) Social-enterprise travel agency selling travel packages from major Czech tour operators (EXIM tours, FISCHER, firo tour, Blue Style), with 100% of commissions funding assistance dog training at no extra cost to customers.
- Prožitkový workshop (Experiential Workshop) Interactive training workshop for company employees on communicating with people with various disabilities (physical, visual, hearing). 3 thematic parts, 180 minutes each, max 15 participants. Often offered as náhradní plnění (alternative compliance with disability employment quota).
- Audit bezbariérovosti (Barrier-Free Accessibility Audit) Accessibility audit evaluating premises for compliance with the needs of people with physical, visual, and hearing disabilities. Includes recommendations for improvements and specific solution providers. Typically 1–2 hours per address, often delivered in the náhradní plnění regime.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99 assistance dogs trained and delivered over 17 years, with ongoing support to 100+ clients
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Pestrá, o.p.s.
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Pestrá, o.p.s. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Pestrá, o.p.s. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, significant and minor.
- Magistrát hl. m. Prahy (Prague City Hall)coreGovernment funding body providing financial support for assistance dog training programs. Some individual dogs (e.g., Danone for Marta) specifically supported by the Magistrate of Prague.
- MPSV (Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs)coreCzech Ministry providing regulatory oversight and funding for social rehabilitation services provided by Pestrá.
- Úřad práce (Labour Office)coreGovernment body providing employment and social service funding support to Pestrá.
- MČ Praha 14coreMunicipal district Prague 14, co-organizer of the annual Pestrá komunitní party community event.
- Alza.czcoreCzech e-commerce giant selling Ponožkový Pestrouš (sock dogs) and previously supported training through charitable auction. One of the main retail channels for the sock dog merchandise campaign.
- Česká televize (Czech Television)flagshipMain media partner of Pestrá. Coverage on programs like 'Sama doma'. Charity gala events at the Czech Television Ball raised 193,862 Kč for assistance dog training. Main media partner listed on partners page.
- Nadace ČEZ (ČEZ Foundation)significantCorporate foundation supporting Pestrá through project funding.
- NADACE J&TsignificantPrivate equity foundation providing financial support to Pestrá's programs.
- Nadace člověk člověkusignificantFoundation supporting projects for people with disabilities, co-funder of the Nácvikové canisterapeutické pobyty project (40,000 Kč in 2022).
- Škoda AutominorCorporate partner supporting Pestrá through employee collection campaigns.
- PHILIP MORRIS ČRminorCorporate sponsor supporting assistance dog training programs.
- Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti / Pomozte dětemsignificantCo-funder of 'Aktivní canisterapie pro děti se zdravotním postižením' project (251,098 Kč from 23rd annual collection in 2021-2022) together with Česká televize.
- CANIS SAFETY a.s.corePet supply retailer selling special star-shaped pillows in their stores, with 100 Kč from each sale donated to Pestrá's assistance dog training programs.
- Assistance Dogs International (ADI)flagshipGlobal organization providing international accreditation for Pestrá's assistance dog training program. Pestrá is the only ADI-accredited organization in the Czech Republic.
- Assistance Dogs EuropeflagshipEuropean regional body of ADI. Pestrá holds membership and participates in international assistance dog community.
- CEN/TC 452 (European Committee for Standardization)flagshipTechnical committee developing harmonized European standards for assistance dogs (EN 17984 series). Pestrá's director chairs this committee, influencing EU-level legislative frameworks for assistance dog quality, professional qualifications, and accessibility rights.
- Síť bez bariér (Barrier-Free Network)significantPestrá is a founding member of the Síť bez bariér initiative, which advocates for better accessibility of public and private spaces in the Czech Republic.
- EU Disability Strategy 2021-2030 consultationsignificantPestrá submitted recommendations to the EU Disability Strategy 2021-2030 consultation, advocating for independent living, mobility, and social inclusion measures.
- Metropolitní univerzita Praha (MUP)minorPartnership for educational purposes — Pestrá teaches 'Accessible Tourism' course at MUP and collaborates on international projects (e.g., with University of Stavanger, Norway).
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Pestrá, o.p.s. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dogs for Good: UK charity that trains assistance dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities, autism, and complex needs. Closely comparable to Pestrá on the social-rehabilitation-plus-dog-training model, individualized client matching, and lifelong aftercare.
- Support Dogs: UK charity training assistance dogs for epilepsy, autism, and physical disability clients. Comparable on ADI-aligned training quality, individualized task training, and registered social-service positioning.
- 4 Paws for Ability: US non-profit that places service dogs with children, veterans, and people with disabilities including autism, seizure, and mobility needs. Directly comparable to Pestrá on individualized matching, broad disability segment coverage, and family/client-centric placement process.
- Canine Partners: UK charity providing assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities, including children with autism. Comparable on individualized matching, lifelong partnership support, and ADI-aligned training quality.
- NEADS World Class Service Dogs: US non-profit that trains service dogs for veterans, children, and adults with disabilities including hearing loss, mobility, and PTSD. Directly comparable on individualized placement, broad disability segments, and registered social-service model.
- Canine Companions for Independence: Large US non-profit that trains and places assistance dogs for people with physical, hearing, and developmental disabilities free of charge. Highly comparable to Pestrá on mission, ADI-accredited methodology, individualized matching, lifelong aftercare, and donation-funded model — though at significantly larger scale.
- Mira Foundation: Canadian non-profit providing service dogs to people with mobility and visual impairments, including children with autism. Comparable to Pestrá on personalized training pipelines, ADI membership, and reliance on donations plus volunteer puppy raisers.
Broad incumbents
- The Seeing Eye: Historic US guide dog school with decades of operational depth. Comparable in ADI accreditation and donation-funded non-profit model, but with a narrower guide-dog focus and a far larger, more institutionalized operation than Pestrá.
- Guide Dogs for the Blind: Large, established US non-profit focused on guide dog services for the visually impaired. Comparable in ADI accreditation, donation-funded non-profit model, and lifetime aftercare, but specialized on a narrower segment than Pestrá's broad-disability coverage.
Emerging players
- Service Dogs, Inc. Smaller-scale US non-profit that trains and places service dogs for mobility assistance and psychiatric support. Comparable mission and placement model, but with a more limited segment focus and lower throughput than Pestrá's 17-year track record.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pestrá, o.p.s. social profiles
Digital presencePestrá, o.p.s. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pestrá, o.p.s. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Pestrá, o.p.s. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Pestrá, o.p.s. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pestrá, o.p.s. 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 Pestrá, o.p.s.
What does Pestrá, o.p.s. do?
Pestrá, o.p.s. trains assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities using a natural, kennel-free methodology that is the only program in the Czech Republic accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). Each dog is individually matched and trained for approximately 8–9 months to support physical, visual, hearing, seizure, or combined disabilities, with continuous long-term aftercare. The organization also delivers a registered social rehabilitation service, an ergotherapy training room with compensatory aids, and complementary social-enterprise activities (travel agency, corporate workshops, accessibility audits).
Is Pestrá, o.p.s. a public or private company?
Pestrá, o.p.s. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Pestrá, o.p.s. founded?
Pestrá, o.p.s. was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pestrá, o.p.s. based?
Pestrá, o.p.s. is headquartered in Prague, Czechia, in the Europe region.
How does Pestrá, o.p.s. make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are public Grants and Subsidies, social Rehabilitation Service (Free to Clients), pestrá Cestovka (Travel Agency), fee-Based Services (Workshops, Audits), ponožkový Pestrouš (Sock Dog Sales) and compensatory Aids Lending.
Who are Pestrá, o.p.s.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dogs for Good, Support Dogs, 4 Paws for Ability, Canine Partners, NEADS World Class Service Dogs, Canine Companions for Independence and Mira Foundation. Broad incumbents are The Seeing Eye and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Service Dogs, Inc. is listed as an emerging player.
Does Pestrá, o.p.s. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pestrá, o.p.s..
What industry is Pestrá, o.p.s. in?
Pestrá, o.p.s.'s product category is Disability and Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAMAAAI, Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services, with a secondary code of EDALAGAK, Service & Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodations Management. Its NAICS code is 81291 and its SIC code is 8200.