Domino Service Dogs (DSD) is a Lakewood-based 501(c)(3) disability-led nonprofit dedicated to breaking down the financial and systemic barriers to service dog ownership. We empower individuals with physical or psychiatric disabilities to train their own life-saving service dogs using humane, positive reinforcement methods.
A community where individuals with disabilities have full autonomy, independence, and equal access through the power of the human-canine bond. We envision a world where cost, stigma, and systemic barriers no longer prevent people from acquiring a life-changing service dog.
Empowerment Through Owner-Training: We believe training your own service dog creates an irreplaceable bond built on mutual trust and respect, transforming handlers into confident, skilled trainers.
Accessibility & Inclusivity: High-quality service dog programs should be within reach for anyone who needs one. Through transparent guidance and evidence-based methods, we keep service dog ownership affordable and sustainable.
Public Awareness & Legal Advocacy: We educate society on disability rights, service dog etiquette, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to foster inclusive public spaces.
Lifelong Support & Community: No owner-trainer navigates their journey alone. Our Lakewood facility serves as a compassionate network of handlers, alumni, and certified professionals offering peer encouragement and ongoing resources.
Our Story: Born from Love & DeterminationEvery nonprofit has a story. Ours begins with a daughter.
Domino Service Dogs was founded in honor of Caitlin Tyra Brady, whose courage, compassion, and deep love for dogs inspired an effort to ensure children and adults with disabilities have access to the life-changing partnership of a service dog.
When Caitlin was injured and required a wheelchair, her family encountered significant barriers—exorbitant costs running upward of $35,000, years-long waitlists, and limited access to quality local instruction. Refusing to let those obstacles stand in the way of independence, her family spent two years learning to train Caitlin’s first service dog, a Great Pyrenees named Badger, who assisted with mobility tasks and pulling her wheelchair.
That experience revealed a profound truth: when you give someone the tools to train their own service dog, you don't just grant them independence—you give them confidence, dignity, and a lifelong skill set.
What began as one family's determination has grown into a thriving Lakewood community. DSD is a disability-led organization—run by individuals with disabilities for individuals with disabilities. Today, Caitlin's legacy lives on through every child who gains confidence, every family that finds hope, and every service dog team that discovers greater independence.
The Domino EffectBy Barbara Henry, CPDT-KA
Independence doesn't happen in isolation—it starts with momentum.
When a person living with a disability is given the tools, community support, and science-based coaching to train their own service dog, a life-changing chain reaction begins:
The Catalyst: Overcoming the overwhelming $25,000–$35,000 financial barriers of traditional service dog placement.
The Momentum: Building an irreplaceable bond of trust while mastering custom mobility, psychiatric, or developmental tasks over a structured 2-year curriculum.
The Ripple Impact: Stepping into workplaces, schools, and transit as a synchronized team—shifting public perception from skepticism to respect and inclusion.
| Metric | Direct Community Impact |
|---|---|
| 200+ teams Impacted | Handlers and dogs supported across Colorado since opening our doors. |
| 100+ Certified Graduates | Successfully graduated through our comprehensive multi-year curriculum. |
| $7500 Out-of-Pocket Cap | Client tuition capped for the entire 2-year program—saving up to $35,000 compared to traditional programs. |
| $10,000-$25,000 | Grant support secured per dog to bridge the financial gap and offset training costs. |
| 3,000+ Hours | Delivered in specialized, positive-reinforcement instruction and coaching. |
Our Promise to ColoradoAs a proud Colorado nonprofit, we are deeply committed to serving our local community with integrity, accessibility, and excellence. We promise to:
Sustain Access Through Active Fundraising: We actively seek foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations to fuel The Caitlin Tyra Brady Training Fund, providing tuition scholarships for low-income Coloradans.
Uphold Evidence-Based Standards: Provide compassionate, humane, reward-based training instruction that honors both the handler and the dog.
Foster Community & Connection: Combat social isolation by providing a safe, inclusive hub in Lakewood where Coloradans with disabilities can find connection, advocacy, and peer support.
Deliver Lifelong Support: Stand by our teams long after graduation with ongoing guidance, evaluations, and alumni resources.
Apply for Training: Start Your Application Process
Support a Team: Donate to The Caitlin Tyra Brady Training Fund
Get Involved: Explore Volunteer & Partnership Opportunities
