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.
Eliminating Multi-Year Waitlists: Our 2-year curriculum allows handlers to begin training right away, often working with a suitable dog candidate they already own.
Restoring Autonomy & Dignity: We train the handler as much as the dog, empowering individuals to advocate for their rights under the ADA and gain confidence in public settings,
Ending Isolation: Our Lakewood training facility serves as a community hub where handlers connect with peers, build lasting support networks, and experience the "Domino Effect" of community independence.
Our teams learn tailored task training specifically designed for their individual needs:
Mobility Assistance: Item retrieval, wheelchair pulling assistance, door operation, and stability support.
Psychiatric & Medical Alert: Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT), medical distress alerts, and boundary creation in crowds.
Organization: Domino Service Dogs
Founder & Origin: Founded in 2012 by Barbara Henry in honor of her daughter, Caitlin Tyra Brady.
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Disability-Led Nonprofit.
Impact: Over 200 service dog teams empowered across Colorado.
Colorado Gives Profile: https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/dominoservicedogs
100+ Certified Graduates: Successfully graduated over 100 service dog teams through our comprehensive multi-year curriculum.
35+ Active Teams in Training: Currently guiding dozens of active handler-dog teams through weekly classes, task training, and public access preparation.
$25,000–$35,000 Grant Support Secured Per Dog: DSD actively secures $25,000 to $35,000 in grant funding per dog to bridge the financial gap and offset the true cost of multi-year professional training.
$7,500 Out-of-Pocket Client Cap: Client tuition is capped at just $7,500 for the entire 2-year program—removing up to $35,000 in personal debt compared to traditional $25,000–$45,000 placement fees.
3,000+ Instructional Hours: Delivered thousands of hours of specialized, positive-reinforcement training instruction and client coaching.
