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ABOUT GOOD SHEPHERD SERVICE DOGS

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Founded in 2022, Good Shepherd Service Dogs is an Ohio-based organization that aims to better the lives of veterans, first responders and individuals of all walks of life struggling with the invisible wounds of PTSD through training service dogs and donating them at no cost to those in need.

Although our organization is in its infancy, we have acquired our first service dog in training and are dedicated to working with her, and more dogs in the future, to equip them for canine assistance.

We are not a nonprofit organization, but because we provide service dogs at no cost to recipients, we do rely heavily on donations to operate our organization and fulfill our mission.

Good Shepherd Service Dogs (GSSD) was co-founded in 2022 by Kyle and Kerry Younkin in an effort to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It was formed by the couple after realizing the high cost and low availability of service dogs for people in need and the firm belief and scientific evidence in support of the powerful means of canine assistance.

Our story at GSSD begins with a lifelong passion and love for dogs and helping our fellow humans. But our journey with dogs and mission for assisting others did not fully culminate until December of 2016.

The heartbreaking reality of our inspiration for service dog training transpired in 2016 after one of our founders lost their father, an Army veteran with PTSD, to suicide.

And as hard a walk it is to live with losing your loved one to suicide, we realize that while we cannot change or resolve this reality, we do have the power to help prevent someone else and their loved ones from experiencing this kind of devastation.

That’s why we formed Good Shepherd Service Dogs and aim to transform people’s lives affected by PTSD with the powerful means of canine assistance. We truly and deeply want to provide help and hope to individuals with a paw to partner with to manage their PTSD. And we full-heartedly believe that through service dogs, those affected by PTSD in all its forms should have access to this help.

Good Shepherd Service Dogs acquires puppies from reputable breeders and/or rescue organizations and begins what will be a 2-year training process. Each puppy is temperament tested prior to acquisition to ensure they are the best possible candidates for service work.

Training our dogs begins at 8 weeks of age and is an ongoing and robust process that enables our dogs to be fully prepared for their work as service dogs. At approximately 2 years of age, a dog will be matched with their partner and begin working together through our service dog team protocol.

Proper veterinary care, nutritious diet and adequate exercise and playtime are equally as important to us as the exceptional training we provide. We have high standards for quality of life for our dogs and are dedicated to providing them the best care and training possible.

Kyle Younkin, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder

Holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business from Full Sail University with 20 years experience in multimedia production. A lifelong animal lover, Kyle enjoys building projects, adventures with his family, and caring for their 3 dogs, 9 ducks and 11 chickens on their 2-acre homestead.

Kerry Younkin, CSTDTP, Canine Training Director and Co-Founder

Kerry is certified as a Service and Therapy Dog Trainer through the Animal Behavior Institute and also holds a bachelor's degree from Full Sail University. Her passion for training dogs and advocacy for veterans and mental health has inspired her journey as a service dog trainer. She is dog mom of 3 and treasures spending time with her family and animals on their property.

Help provide freedom, expand possibilities, and change lives.

At Good Shepherd Service Dogs, we nurture and train service dogs to work with individuals experiencing PTSD, mobility limitations and other disabilities. To accomplish this, we need the support of meaningful donations.

Through your monetary gifts either through PayPal, Venmo or Zelle, we are able to acquire and train service dogs and cover the cost of supplies and veterinary care.

Zelle donations can be made by scanning our QR code or by using the email address: goodshepherdservicedogs@gmail.com

Gifts of supplies are always welcomed at Good Shepherd Service Dogs. Check out our Amazon WishList to discover an item you would like to donate of your choosing!

With much gratitude, thank you for supporting our mission to provide service dogs at no cost to indivuals in need!