For people living with disabilities, a service dog can be an absolute game-changer, whether it’s a guide dog helping a blind person move about the world, an alert dog trained to detect seizures or other medical crises, or an autism service dog trained to help their people navigate social cues.
However, for many, access to these service dogs can be difficult: Each dog requires intensive, specialized training, there is often a long waiting period, and the cost can be an insurmountable obstacle.
This is where the nonprofit service dog organizations come in: These organizations have a range of mission specialties that can include training service dogs, connecting families and individuals with an appropriate service dog, and even mitigating the cost of getting a service dog.
Like all nonprofits, service dog organizations need insurance coverage to safely (and legally) operate. But because their work includes both disabled persons and animals, not just any insurance coverage will do.
So, when it comes to their insurance, what do nonprofit service dog organizations need most?
Meet an NIA-insured nonprofit service dog organization.
We talked with an NIA-insured service dog organization, and they shared how their mission works, what their insurance needs are, and why they trust NIA to meet those needs.
In their own words…
Pawsitive Teams (San Diego, CA)
“The mission of Pawsitive Teams is to enhance the lives of individuals with special needs in San Diego County by using the skills of highly trained service, facility, and therapy dogs.
We do this through the time and talent of over 65 compassionate volunteers. Between January 1 and October 31, 2024, our volunteers logged over 7,740 volunteer hours!
Our programs include:
- Service dog training and placement with mobility limited adult San Diegans and veterans with PTSD. Our success rate is ~70% (national average is ~50%).
- Facility dog training and placement with San Diego facilities that serve adults and children with special needs or the underserved, including a brand-new owner-trained Facility Dog Academy offering. We currently have 13 facility dog teams placed in organizations throughout the county.
- Therapy Dog Prep School offered to those who would like to volunteer with their dog; over 900 individuals have completed the program, many of whom went on to volunteer with their dog.
- Goal-directed Therapy Dog programs offered at 11 sites throughout San Diego, matching volunteer dog-and-handler teams to our partner organizations, such as schools with special needs populations, the court and probation system, active-duty military in a medical setting, and veterans.
- Education and outreach activities including answering general emails and phone calls concerning service, facility, and therapy dogs within 24 hours, as well as presentations and demonstrations to children and adults alike about how dogs help people across the county.”
— Eileen Heveron, Executive Director, Pawsitive Teams
How did this service dog nonprofit hear about NIA?
A longtime, dependable partner.
“I do not know how we originally came to be insured by NIA, I know we have been for many years, and I recommend NIA to other nonprofits when they are looking for insurance.”
— Eileen Heveron, Pawsitive Teams
Since becoming an NIA member, how has that relationship helped this service dog nonprofit?
Quick answers, valuable resources, and low stress.
“As you can imagine, with all our programs involving people and dogs, NIA helps us sleep better at night through its offerings.
I like that our relationship with NIA is not stressful, that we can get answers to any questions very easily, and that everyone is extremely helpful.
We have attended NIA’s webinars which have been helpful to me and to my small team, as well as used the Risk management e-library. I also consulted the employee handbook builder when I was revising our many manuals into one!”
— Eileen Heveron, Pawsitive Teams
Service dog nonprofits want an insurance provider that’s alert to their needs.
Why do nonprofit service dog organizations choose NIA as their insurance provider?
Easy: They want coverage that reflects their mission, not a mission that’s dictated by their coverage.
With NIA, your nonprofit gets coverage that’s dependable and affordable, tailored to meet your needs, includes resources that can help your mission thrive, and is there for you when you need it.
After all, when you’ve got a mission to connect people in your community with the service dogs that help them thrive, you want an insurance provider that won’t leave you in the doghouse.
