MidAmerica Service Dogs' Foundation

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MidAmerica Service Dogs' Foundation

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Providing service dogs free of charge to people with mobility disabilities in the Chicagoland area.

Providing Service Dogs free of charge For People with Mobility Disabilities in the Chicago Metropolitan & Suburban Areas

19/09/2026

NBD, Hazel is providing a little extra TLC to her handler during church. Our dogs are trained in over 90 commands but when they've been with their person for a while, the dogs tend to learn exactly what their handler needs. While it looks like Hazel is simply resting her chin on Gayle's shoe, she's actually helping stop her tremor (something that is not learned in training). Just a minor task to help calm the daily struggles of living with a chronic medical condition. 🐕‍🦺

16/09/2026

Recently, a recipient was asked by a group of travelers why her dog was in a vest. This large family of all ages had their very first encounter with a service dog! They wanted all the details about Winston, and couldn't fathom how a dog could be so calm.

In honor of this curious family and for , here are the basic facts about a service dog:
1. Service dogs are specially trained dogs that perform specific tasks for people with disabilities.
2. Training: Service dogs typically undergo extensive training to reliably perform their tasks and behave appropriately in public.
3. Public access: In the U.S., trained service dogs generally have access to places open to the public under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Emotional-support animals do not have the same public-access rights.
4. They are working: Even when a service dog is wearing a vest or harness, it is best not to pet, feed, call to, or distract it without the handler's permission.
5. The handler: A service dog works as part of a team with its handler. The handler is responsible for the dog's care and control.

13/09/2026

Sure, service dogs are cute but they provide way more than just a cute companion! ❤️🐾

10/09/2026

Appreciation post! 🚨
Our dogs go through a TON of treats! 🐾
Whether they're in training with the Helping Paws Prison Program or working on skills during our Monday night classes, we have a lot of pups to reward. When training with treats, we need high value rewards that are very motivating to the dogs. A huge thank you to and for the very large donations of high value treats to our program! We cannot thank either of these businesses enough for choosing to donate to our 501(c)(3) and helping to further our mission of changing lives 4 paws at a time.🐾

06/09/2026

Why does a service dog wear a vest? 🐕‍🦺
1. It identifies the dog as a working dog, not just a pet.
2. Ideally, it's a visual cue to people that the dog is working and should not be distracted. People should respect the vest and not talk to or distract the dog.
3. It makes public access easier. While the ADA does not require a service dog to wear a vest, it is the social norm to do so while in a public setting.
4. It provides information, not legal status. Just because a dog wears a vest, does not mean it's a service dog. However, you can tell the vested dog is a legit service dog if it is calm and focused on its handler.
5. It's a cue to the dog to focus on its handler and stay on task. Believe it or not, our dogs are trained to know the vest means they have a job to do!

02/09/2026

Did you know September is service dog awareness month? 🐕‍🦺
We kick off this special month with a testimonial from one of our teams.

"Maverick has completely changed my life, I have always been independent but he has made me more confident in going out on my own, and living on my own. He loves working and gets excited anytime I ask him to do something." - Chloe

25/08/2026

Cute as a button and just a little bit mischievous! 🐾
Norman, Patrick and Rocky are 5 month old and fitting in nicely with the Helping Paws Prison Program. They're learning leash work, how to play, and are get lots of attention from their handler.

22/08/2026

Two (and) four-legged friends came home from their latest road trip with some pretty great souvenirs! 🐾👕
Looks like the memories (and the matching shirts) are going to last long after the miles are behind them. ❤️

20/08/2026

Update time 🚨
Wrigley and Roary are just over 7 months old and happy pups! They enjoy playtime, working with their trainers, and the beginning stages of task work. 🐾
A heartfelt thank you to the trainers in the Helping Paws Prison Program for your dedication and commitment to creating quality service dogs.

05/08/2026

In honor of , we're celebrating the incredible service dogs who change lives four paws at a time. 🐾 Their unwavering dedication empowers their handlers to live more independent, confident, and fulfilling lives. Today, we honor these remarkable teams and the life-changing bond they share.

Address

Telephone

+18664729744

Website

https://www.midamericaservicedogs.org/

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