Pestrá, o.p.s.

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.

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

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 industry

PRIMARYHLAMAAAI

Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Veterinary & Animal Health/Veterinary Clinical Services (Companion Animal)

SECONDARYEDALAGAK

Service & Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodations Management

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Disability Services & Accessibility

Keywords

• Assistance dog training
• Social rehabilitation services
• Disability support services
• Service dog accreditation
• Ergotherapy and assistive aids

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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).
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core 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

Named customers7 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, significant and minor.

• Magistrát hl. m. Prahy (Prague City Hall)coreOthersGovernment 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)coreOthersCzech Ministry providing regulatory oversight and funding for social rehabilitation services provided by Pestrá.
• Úřad práce (Labour Office)coreOthersGovernment body providing employment and social service funding support to Pestrá.
• MČ Praha 14coreOthersMunicipal district Prague 14, co-organizer of the annual Pestrá komunitní party community event.
• Alza.czcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCzech 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)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMain 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)significantOthersCorporate foundation supporting Pestrá through project funding.
• NADACE J&TsignificantOthersPrivate equity foundation providing financial support to Pestrá's programs.
• Nadace člověk člověkusignificantOthersFoundation supporting projects for people with disabilities, co-funder of the Nácvikové canisterapeutické pobyty project (40,000 Kč in 2022).
• Škoda AutominorOthersCorporate partner supporting Pestrá through employee collection campaigns.
• PHILIP MORRIS ČRminorOthersCorporate sponsor supporting assistance dog training programs.
• Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti / Pomozte dětemsignificantOthersCo-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.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPet 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)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal organization providing international accreditation for Pestrá's assistance dog training program. Pestrá is the only ADI-accredited organization in the Czech Republic.
• Assistance Dogs EuropeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean regional body of ADI. Pestrá holds membership and participates in international assistance dog community.
• CEN/TC 452 (European Committee for Standardization)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical 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)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerPestrá 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 consultationsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerPestrá submitted recommendations to the EU Disability Strategy 2021-2030 consultation, advocating for independent living, mobility, and social inclusion measures.
• Metropolitní univerzita Praha (MUP)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmrbCgJxwynFfwMTQFbbxbw
• Facebookfacebook.com/Pestra.psiasistence
• Instagraminstagram.com/pestra.psiasistence
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pestra-ops

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Pestrá, o.p.s.