Supporting a social impact organization focused on selecting, raising, and training service dogs for individuals with disabilities can change many lives, including the dog’s. However, finding the right nonprofit to support can be tricky, especially in the modern world chock full of false causes and scams. How do you know the money or time you give to a service dog organization will transform the lives of everyone involved? Will your donation really make a difference?
Putnam Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming the lives of rescue dogs while providing veterans and individuals with disabilities other than blindness with a better, happier way of life. Read on to better understand what we believe makes a good service dog organization to give to, and how we align our efforts to make an impact with your donations.
Why Support a Cause for Service Dog Training?
Conducting a simple online search for service dog organization options leads to dozens of organizations, creating an overwhelming scenario. Why should you support a social impact service dog organization, and which one will ensure the best possible return for your donation? There are several important reasons to consider. First, it’s helpful to understand the great need for service dogs for individuals with physical disabilities and veterans with PTSD.
The Need For Service Dogs FAR Outweighs the Supply
According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in four American adults lives with some type of disability, and only 1% of those 61 million people work with a service dog. The lack of availability, costs associated with training and upkeep, and other barriers stand in the way of many Americans with disabilities, including veterans who would LOVE to have a service dog.Â
Training Is Expensive and Time-Consuming
Training a service dog costs upward of $50,000 and takes an average of 18 to 24 months. Social impact organizations like Putnam Service Dogs are grateful for our volunteers, including puppy fosters, who open their homes and hearts to rescue animals. Further, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), between 50% and 70% of all service dog candidates fail at some point during training. At Putnam Service Dogs, we select rescue pups with the best potential for training success based on various assessments prior to adoption. Still, the expenses associated with raising the pups, caring for them, and training them are massive, and donations to social impact service dog organizations can help cover those costs.Â
What Is a Social Impact Organization?
A social impact organization can be described as a nonprofit organization that makes a tangible difference while advancing its mission. Quality service dog organizations truly make an impact on the lives of not only the dogs’ recipients, but also the dogs themselves – and those who commit their time and effort to raising and socializing them from puppyhood. Supporting a cause that makes a true impact is one of the most gracious gestures anyone can offer.Â
Here’s what one of Putnam Service Dogs’ recipients wrote recently about how her service dog has impacted her life:
“Eddie has improved nearly every aspect of my life. She helps me keep my balance while walking, picks up dropped items for me, and gives me signals for when a flare up is about to occur, giving me time to take my medications and prepare before it happens. I am in significantly less pain on a day to day basis because of how much she helps me. Not having to strain myself to pick up the items I’ve dropped or constantly get up to retrieve items from across the room has done such wonders for me. I have gone from being entirely dependent on my
family, to being able to manage my home myself and go out to run errands alone, thanks to Eddie and Putnam Service Dogs. My overall health, physical and mental, has improved tremendously since being chosen by Eddie.“
Places to Donate are Numerous
The overwhelming number of service dog charity organizations can quickly lead to decision fatigue. There are dozens of organizations across the country and around the world, so understanding what to look for – and what to avoid – when supporting a charity can make the choice easier.Â
What to Look For in a Service Dog Organization for Social Impact
Supporting a charity that can transform the lives of dogs and the people who receive them is incredible, but finding the right charity can be a challenge. Look for service dog charities that are accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), offer tax-deductible donations (are a 501(c)3) and multiple payment methods, and feature excellent reviews, testimonials and success stories (like this one!) from their donors, volunteers, and service dog recipients.Â
Better Business Bureau Accreditation
The BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance website makes it easy to evaluate charities based on numerous factors, but disclosure is by far the most important. BBB Accredited Charities must meet stringent standards in how they use the donations they receive, how they govern their organizations, and how transparent they are in terms of disclosing information to the public. If a service dog charity is BBB accredited, donors can feel confident that their funds will make an impact. At Putnam Service Dogs, we’re proud to have attained the BBB accreditation, as less than 10% of nonprofits are BBB accredited!
Multiple Payment Methods
As technology has evolved, the methods available for supporting a charity online have grown. Whether you prefer to use a credit or debit card, bank account transfer, or a trusted payment service such as Venmo, charitable organizations should give you multiple options that fit your needs and preferences. Furthermore, many organizations give you the option to make a one-time payment or set up a recurring monthly gift. At Putnam Service Dogs we also accept Donor Advised Funds!
Excellent Reviews and Testimonials
Finally, before making the decision to support a specific service dog charity, read over the organization’s reviews and/or testimonials, not only on the organization’s website, but on trusted third-party sites such as Candid.Â
What Is a Good Amount to Donate to a Social Impact Organization?
Many would-be givers believe that a small donation of only $10 to $20 won’t help a service dog charity, so they avoid giving at all. However, any amount helps, and small donations add up quickly. Small, recurring gifts support the needs of the charity, and larger donations improve the organization’s overall sustainability. A small $10 recurring gift each month can make a significant impact.Â
Why Donors Choose to Support Putnam Service Dogs
Putnam Service Dogs is one of many charitable organizations in our local area, and we are grateful to our one-time and regular donors for their gifts. Without them, we would be unable to see our mission through. We’re honored that donors continue to choose our service dog charity..Â
We Rescue Dogs
Rather than purchasing dogs from breeders, which can easily cost upward of $1000, or breeding our own dogs and bringing more dogs into a dog over-populated world, our aspiring service dogs are rescued from our partner local rescues. We work with volunteers across the community who open their doors to these rescue pups, providing them with a safe home, basic obedience and house manner training, and socialization.Â
We Transform Rescue Dogs into Great Service Dogs
Transforming rescue dogs into great service dogs not only takes expertise, dedication, compassion, empathy, and an unwavering love of dogs, but it also takes time and effort. We are passionately committed to making a difference in as many lives as we can – one dog at a time.Â
We Support People with Disabilities and Veterans with PTSD
Our mission supports individuals with disabilities other than blindness and veterans of the Armed Forces, often vastly improving their quality of life. Access to service dogs also impacts the economy, helping individuals with disabilities become more independent as well as physically and mentally healthier.Â
If you are interested in supporting a charity that makes a real, tangible impact in the lives we touch, consider partnering with Putnam Service Dogs. Your tax-deductible gift of any amount – or even volunteering your time – supports rescue dogs through their upbringing and training, allowing them to become exceptional service dogs who change lives.Â
Nancy Teague, the founder of Putnam Service Dogs, is a dedicated advocate who embodies the mission of the organization every single day. Alongside the passionate individuals who have joined the cause, she works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of both people and dogs. With an unwavering commitment to championing service dogs, Nancy understands the transformative power that occurs when a service dog is matched with its recipient, forging a remarkable team.