Service Dogs of Virginia

Service Dogs of Virginia Because life can change in an instant. www.servicedogsva.org Service Dogs of Virginia, Inc. raises, trains, and places dogs to assist people with disabilities.

Highly trained dogs perform a wealth of tasks that allow greater personal freedom and independence. We place dogs for residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia and we are based in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Can’t decide what to give your loved one? Why not sponsor a service dog in tr...
02/04/2026

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Can’t decide what to give your loved one? Why not sponsor a service dog in training?

As part of your sponsorship, your recipient will receive:
🐾 a photo of the dog
🎁 gifts (depending on sponsorship level)
📬 emailed quarterly updates on the dog’s training progress

Celebrate love with a gift that keeps giving—helping a future service dog grow into a partner who changes a life.

After an icy and snowy week ❄️☃️, SDV August is gearing up for her weekly “Office Hours” at the ! 🐾💙As a facility dog, A...
02/02/2026

After an icy and snowy week ❄️☃️, SDV August is gearing up for her weekly “Office Hours” at the ! 🐾💙

As a facility dog, August works alongside her handler in private counseling sessions, and she also has her very own Office Hours or "Pawffice Hours"—time set aside to meet and support others at the Center each week. August adores meeting new people, and she helps students feel more grounded by providing gentle deep-pressure comfort (her “weighted blanket” skill!).

We’re so proud of August! ❤️

Ms. Sadie goes to Richmond! 🐾🏛️While our Training Center was closed, Sadie was still doing important work—helping us adv...
01/31/2026

Ms. Sadie goes to Richmond! 🐾🏛️
While our Training Center was closed, Sadie was still doing important work—helping us advocate for the future of SDV.

SDV is working to maintain a $250,000 general fund appropriation in the proposed State budget so we can place more dogs each year and reduce wait times for children, adults, and veterans across the Commonwealth. The Governor included this funding—now we must keep it in the final budget vote in early March.

Will you take a few minutes today to contact your state senator and delegate and ask them to support SDV?
The quick instructions and drafted message are in the link in comments.

Thank you for standing with us so more Virginians can receive life-changing service dogs.

SDV Carl’s glow up is real. From a tiny pup to an 8 month young at ~70 lbs, Carl is showing impressive maturity for his ...
01/30/2026

SDV Carl’s glow up is real. From a tiny pup to an 8 month young at ~70 lbs, Carl is showing impressive maturity for his age. Big growth-and even bigger potential.

Due to unsafe conditions in the parking lot, sidewalks, and roadways into and out of our office, SDV will remain closed ...
01/28/2026

Due to unsafe conditions in the parking lot, sidewalks, and roadways into and out of our office, SDV will remain closed tomorrow, Wednesday the 28th, for everyone’s safety.
We’re hoping to get SDV Nouri there tomorrow to help with shelving - lol. (AI image by her night/weekend foster, Teri).

BRRR… it’s cold outside! 🥶☕SDV Nitro has reviewed the situation and recommends: coffee. 🐾✅Warm up with Nitro’s Blend, pr...
01/27/2026

BRRR… it’s cold outside! 🥶☕
SDV Nitro has reviewed the situation and recommends: coffee. 🐾✅
Warm up with Nitro’s Blend, proudly brought to you in partnership with Aerial Resupply Coffee
Nitro-approved. Grab your bag today! Link in comments.

01/27/2026

Justine. Is. Playing. UNO. 🃏🐶

Her puppy raiser shaped a brand-new behavior—teaching Justine to pick UNO cards by color. “Shaping” means breaking a complex skill into tiny, achievable steps and rewarding each small success (often with a clicker to mark the exact moment she got it right). Step by step, those little wins become the full behavior.

Turn your volume up 🔊—it’s definitely worth the watch.

Big shoutout to Kristie for teaching Justine a truly UNique new skill!

Due to weather conditions, SDV will be CLOSED tomorrow.Even SDV Lily had to grab her coat.Please stay safe, warm, and co...
01/26/2026

Due to weather conditions, SDV will be CLOSED tomorrow.
Even SDV Lily had to grab her coat.
Please stay safe, warm, and cozy!

🎉 First team placement of the year! 🎉SDV Sherwood "Woody" is officially a facility dog, now partnered with Lt. O’Neil at...
01/24/2026

🎉 First team placement of the year! 🎉
SDV Sherwood "Woody" is officially a facility dog, now partnered with Lt. O’Neil at the University of Virginia Police Department supporting the Medical Center Bureau. Woody will be a steady, comforting presence for both the police department and the hospital community—offering connection and support wherever he’s needed.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this team possible:
🐾 Puppy Raiser Beth (and UVA Professor of Nursing!)—Woody’s early experiences with Beth mean his new work environment feels familiar.
🐾 Ellen, and her two boys, and Gabby—thank you for loving Woody during nights/weekends as his foster family.
🐾 And thank you to the , Woody’s naming sponsor!

SDV Nouri is showing off her retrieve skills—bringing her trainer Linda’s glasses right to her! At SDV every service do...
01/21/2026

SDV Nouri is showing off her retrieve skills—bringing her trainer Linda’s glasses right to her!

At SDV every service dog is taught a retrieve:
✅ Get it: pick up the object
✅ Hold: keep it secure until requested
✅ Give: place it in hand or lap

Skills like this are especially important for people with limited hand strength or mobility—and they help make everyday life easier and more independent.

“Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve.” —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Today, choose one act of service—big or ...
01/19/2026

“Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve.” —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Today, choose one act of service—big or small—and carry it forward.

Address

673 Berkmar Court
Charlottesville, VA
22901

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

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