In the US, approximately 7.5 million students are living with a disability, ranging from impaired hearing or vision, autism, and ADHD to paralysis, epilepsy, and many more. Among them, only a few realize their eligibility for a service dog, giving up a chance to partner with an individually trained dog taught to perform tasks for the disabled individual. This lack of awareness extends to their families, schools, and communities, presenting a systemic challenge that Canines for Disabled Kids (CDK), a non-profit organization, set out to alleviate in 1998.
Built on the pillars of education and a personalized approach, CDK regularly travels across the US and Canada, engaging directly with students of all grade levels, civic and religious groups, businesses, families, and virtually all communities in need of a better understanding. The non-profit’s efforts are driven by a range of services, including informative presentations, entertaining and insightful events, ADA-compliant consulting, and annual scholarships to offset the costs of service dog training.
Now on a mission to increase independence for children with disabilities and their families by promoting service dog partnerships and community-wide understanding, CDK’s story dates back to the late 1990s. Established to fill accessibility gaps in the landscape, specifically revolving around the child-canine relationships, the organization focused its dedication on helping more children living with disabilities leverage service dogs as functional tools.
When Kristin Hartness joined the non-profit as Executive Director in 2002, she further propelled that pursuit, setting a clear direction for CDK’s future: “Back then, it wasn’t common to find service dog programs willing to train canines for children. But we believed it was possible, envisioning a world where visually impaired, autistic, or kids with other disabilities could live independent lives effortlessly.”
Over the years, CDK developed a three-pronged strategy that addresses awareness issues from multiple angles: empowering children through funding; educating communities; and helping families make the most suitable decisions. While the non-profit also offers assistance to adults, its primary focus lies in kids – young souls who struggle to find the voice to speak for themselves. “Though it may seem the other way around, it’s not adults who are the tough clients but children,” muses Kristin.
During its 26 years of existence, CDK identified the most common problems in terms of awareness, accessibility, and societal perceptions, embarking on a mission to challenge misconceptions and help disabled individuals regain control over their lives. For instance, while many families see service dogs as friendly companions with the power to help their children feel less isolated, Kristin highlights that their primary role is to assist. “Every service dog is trained specifically to individual needs. Some of them will excel at picking items off surfaces and moving them while others will be unparalleled city guides. They fill whichever role they were trained for and shouldn’t be treated like family pets, ” stresses Kristin. “Emotional support and companionship is like frosting on a cupcake; to enjoy it, we have to have the cupcake first.”
Kristin Hartness, Executive Director of Canines for Disabled Kids (CDK)
CDK’s audiences are as diverse and unique as every service dog, from disability expos focused on providing resources and conferences at national societies to public and private schools and in-home assistance. Those who trust CDK in their pursuit of knowledge will be met with a powerful blend of education and human engagement, ultimately learning the essentials of service canines, including the hows and whys of behaving around such dogs, preparing facilities to welcome four-legged assistants, and effectively advocating for disabled communities around North America.
At CDK, commitment to tailored services and genuine help is evident from the very first steps of the process. Run by Kristin, four part-time employees, and a large number of volunteers, the organization’s strategy begins at home. Here, Kristin refines a skill profile unique to every child, later matching them with a database of more than 200 dog training programs and helping them narrow down the most suitable matches. Depending on individual needs and preferences, she works alongside families for as long and as involved as they desire, delivering outcome-driven, informed suggestions while leaving the final decision in the hands of the disabled individual and their supervisors.
Once a family or individual has chosen their service dog training program, they often return to CDK looking for financial support. As training costs can reach thousands of dollars, the nonprofit introduced a CDK scholarship, granting an average of 20 to 25 scholarships annually. Funded solely with donations from kind-hearted, like-minded individuals and free of charge to all individuals in need of its services, CDK is looking to raise $300,000 to fulfill its 2025 goals and strengthen its impact across communities.
“We would love to expand our scholarship fund, award more of them, and help as many children as we can. The more we raise, the more we can give,” Kristin adds with excitement. “There is a bigger demand than we can afford right now, but we’re optimistic about the future. Step by step, we will reshape societal perspectives, build communities that support and understand disabilities, and ensure everyone can live comfortable lives, one scholarship, one person, and one service dog at a time.”
