At Atlas Assistance Dogs, we believe that service dog training should be inclusive, accessible, and built on mutual trust. Through our Client Certification Program, we support people with disabilities in training their own service dogs using positive, force-free methods. In this blog series, we’re highlighting the stories of our certified teams—owner-trainers and their incredible dogs—who are working together to build skills, confidence, and connection.
In this interview, we’re proud to feature Kate and her dog Savvy, a team whose journey reflects the heart of what Atlas is all about.
What led you to seek out a service dog, and how did you discover Atlas Assistance Dogs?
I noticed my dog was naturally helping me with things that made daily life more manageable, and I wanted to build on that. I found Atlas through a recommendation and liked their approach right away.
How did you determine that a service dog was the right fit for your lifestyle or goals?
Having Savvy by my side was already improving my routines and keeping me grounded. It felt like a natural next step to train her to assist in more structured ways.
What advice would you give to someone considering Atlas for their service dog training?
Be open about your goals and what support you need. Atlas is great about meeting you where you are and helping you shape a realistic training plan. Be patient with your service animal and yourself. It’s a lot of work, but also very rewarding.
How would you describe your overall experience working with Atlas?
Supportive, clear, and empowering. They give me the tools to train with confidence and help my dog succeed.
What were the most important factors in choosing an organization to help with service dog training?
I wanted something flexible, inclusive, and focused on owner training and positive reinforcement practices. Atlas offered all of that.
Did you consider other organizations? If so, what made Atlas stand out?
Not really. I was still early in training with Savvy when I got the recommendation for Atlas. I hadn’t seen many programs that allowed existing household pets to go through service dog training, especially at an affordable price. That made Atlas stand out.
How has working with Atlas and your service dog impacted your daily life or supported your personal goals?
Savvy helps bring structure, calm, and a sense of stability to my day. Having that kind of support makes a real difference.
Tell me about your dog!
Her name is Savvy, like smart, and she really is. I picked her name based on the concept of nominative determinism, the idea that people (and dogs!) are drawn to careers or activities that align with their names. She’s lived up to it in every way. She’s intuitive, easy to train, and always eager to please. She brings me joy every single day. And yes, she’s just the cutest little fluffy bear!
About Atlas Assistance Dogs
Atlas Assistance Dogs is a non-profit organization that fundamentally expands access to assistance dogs. We support people with disabilities to train and certify their own service dog using positive, ethical training methods. At Atlas, we believe anyone who would benefit from a qualified assistance dog should be able to have one.
We work with people with a wide range of disabilities who wish to train their own service dog as well as offer a comprehensive Academy for professional trainers wanting to become service dog trainers. For more information about Atlas’ Client Certification program or other training services, please visit www.atlasdog.org or contact info@atlasdog.org.
