Canines for Service – Service Dogs for Disabled

Address: 1200 N. 23rd Street, Suite 101
Wilmington, NC 28405 Phone: (910) 362-8181 Fax: (910) 3628184 Website: http://www.caninesforservice.org/

At Canines For Service, we do more than train service dogs. We help people live more independent lives. It's more than just four paws helping. Canines For Service, Inc. (CFS) was established December 1, 1996 in Wilmington, North Carolina by co-founder Rick Hairston.  His experience in raising and training service dogs began with several years of volunteer service for an internationally known service dog organization in St. Louis, Missouri.  Upon moving to Wilmington, he found there were no service dog organizations in southeastern North Carolina.    Knowing the great need people with physical disabilities have for quality trained service dog’s prayerful consideration began to start a service dog organization.   CFS was born out of Rick’s belief that God was calling him to establish this program, not only as a service organization but also as a mission to serve others with Christ-like compassion. 

CFS was incorporated December 1, 1998 in the state of North Carolina as a non-profit corporation and is recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c) 3 federal tax exempt organization.

Canines for Service – volunteers raise a service dog in their home for 24 months while undergoing a service dog program.

Canines For Veterans –a national program that teaches military prisoners to train service dogs for wounded veterans.

Canines For Therapy – trains owners and their dogs to provide animal-assisted visitations in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, group homes and treatment facilities.

Canines for Literacy – therapy dogs help children struggling to improve their reading and communication skills.