Mission
OUR MISSION
Assistance Dogs Northwest is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides children and adults with disabilities professionally trained dogs that will increase their independence and enhance the quality of their lives. We are committed to serving people in Washington, Oregon and Idaho with special needs through Community Outreach Programs and through developing the potential dogs have to assist people in need. Assistance Dogs and lifetime follow-up support are provided free of charge.
OUR HISTORY
Will and Mo Maurer, founders of Assistance Dogs Northwest, began volunteering in the Assistance Dog industry in 1995. Together they founded their own program in 2001, which has grown into one the largest providers of Assistance Dogs in the state of Hawaii. The program in Hawaii has seen considerable growth over the years, and has recently expanded the reach of services to include the West Coast. Growing up in Seattle, Mo and Will have always shared a special connection to the Pacific Northwest. This, along with the increasing demand for Assistance Dogs in the region, led to the foundation of their second training campus, Assistance Dogs Northwest, located on Bainbridge Island, WA.
OUR VISION
Our goal is to continue training and placing more quality Assistance Dog Teams that will help both the dogs and their partners realize their full potential.