Support Dogs, Inc. hosted a special 30th Anniversary Celebration at St. Louis Carousel, Faust Park, Saturday, November 9, 2013. The fun party offered guests a silent auction of wine, jewelry, and blinged out dog collars,  food and beverage from Ces & Judy Catering, a souvenir drink cup, and complimentary carousel rides.

2013 marks Support Dogs’ 30th anniversary for providing services to the St. Louis Community.  SDI first began as a 501 (c)(3) organization, placing service dogs to help those with physical disabilities in 1983.

Through the years, the scope of Support Dogs’ services has evolved to include placing service dogs with children who are physically disabled, Hearing Dogs for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and pairing Psychiatric Service dogs with individuals who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Support Dogs continues its proud tradition of placing all of our assistance dogs at no cost to our clients.

Additionally, Support Dogs has a pet visitation program called TOUCH (Therapy of Unique Canine Helpers), in which volunteers and their own dogs are certified to visit various healthcare facilities in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. In addition to TOUCH, volunteers and their dogs may participate in the Paws For Reading program, where a dog and its handler visit local elementary schools and libraries, using the dog as an incentive for the children to improve their literacy skills.

Heavily involved in the local community, Support Dogs offers public obedience classes for pet owners and their dogs, as well as a public education component, speaking to local groups and organizations about Support Dogs.