California Service Dog Academy

10/30/2024

A big Congratulations to Nancy and Zacian. Their team passed their public access AND their task training tests today! We can’t wait to see them at graduation!!

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10/29/2024

A big congratulations to our team, Bailey and Maisy! Today they passed their public access test, and are ready to start their task training! We are very proud of the work these two have put in, and are excited to see all of the great things in their future!

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10/24/2024

We were surprised and honored yesterday when both founders of were invited by the Sierra Post 785 to receive the President’s Lifetime Achievement award 🥇

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10/19/2024

We had the pleasure of meeting this cutie at Valley State Prison. Our friends running that program are doing great work!

10/17/2024

Thank you Congressman Jim Costa for coming to visit us!

10/16/2024

Thank you, Congressman Jim Costa!

It was a pleasure hosting our Congressman, Central California Legal Services, Inc., and our AMAZING Partners Carol and Tony from the Freedom Canine Program at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla.

We had the amazing opportunity to show the Congressman our facility and how we serve California’s Veteran community from the City of Visalia a through joint community efforts.

09/26/2024

Had a great morning at Stand Down in Fresno! Thanks to for the invitation … we are always happy to help our Central Valley Vets 🇺🇸 in any way possible! Our new “Riley the Wonderdog” plushies were a big hit!

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09/14/2024

Birdie and her handler have successfully passed their CGC and Public access test as a team this weekend!
Congratulations you two!!!
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09/07/2024

Give back in a huge way!

WE NEED YOU! 🏡✨ We have one more Missional Resident home we need to fill, and we believe it could be yours.

One thing that makes The Neighborhood Village truly unique and unlike any other in California is the addition of our Missional Residents—people like you and me who choose to live onsite as a calling. At Salt + Light, we know that true healing happens through people and connection, and it will take hearts willing to partner with us to bring restoration to this community. 💞

Are you longing for a deeper purpose in life? Maybe you're tired of the daily grind and ready to give back in a way that will truly transform others and yourself. We’re looking for individuals, families, or retired couples ready to dedicate a year of service—ready to give their hearts to something greater by living onsite in this beautiful neighborhood. 🏘️

This isn’t just about moving into a neighborhood; it’s about becoming part of a family. If you’re prepared to make a lasting impact and walk alongside others with love and compassion, we need you. Your life experience and your heart can bring hope, healing, and real change. Join us, not just to live in a house, but to help build a community. 🤲

If you're interested in learning more, please email [email protected] to join our upcoming town hall discussion. 🏫

*This is NOT a paid position but instead a calling and volunteer only

WARNING: Giving back in such radical ways will change you forever. ✨

08/21/2024

Please help us congratulate our co-founder & visionary as he has graduated from Purdue Global Law School.

4 years ago, Matthew Corso decided to go back to school, in large part because he recognized the need for Veterans and civilian service dog owners to have access to legal help for a variety of issues that are frequently faced by people within these demographics.

Well done Matt!
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08/16/2024

Our veterans and their Service dog recruits are hitting those milestones!
We officially have two new Canine Good Citizens in our program. Congratulations Maisy and Nala!

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07/09/2024

Rare opportunity to adopt a career change dog! Not free and not cheap. Please EMAIL 📧 [email protected] 📧 only if interested:
Spayed and fully health tested (hips/elbows/eyes/cardiac). “Scout” is an almost two year old, spayed Golden Retriever. She has been working on her basic obedience, and has made some good progress, but is not perfect. She knows “Come, sit down, stay, and leave it”. She is also learning to redirect on the leash to prevent pulling... Her excitement when out for a walk can take some time to get under control, so she will need someone who is willing to continue to work with her on that. Scout is currently working on “Drop it” and sharing toys with other dogs, as she tends to steal toys and run off with them like a very fast and pretty white dragon.
Scout is a fun, silly, and sassy girl whose hobbies include Swimming, playing with toys, running around with any dog that she can possibly befriend, and snacks. I know snacks are not normally a hobby, but for Scout... Snack time is her favorite pastime.

Scout LOVES to play with Kids, but she WILL Steal food from a child if left to her own devices. Regardless of this fact, we recommend all children and dogs be supervised at all times. A child does not know dog behavior, and dogs are still animals... Even golden retrievers.

If you are looking for an adventure buddy, Scout may just be your girl!

07/04/2024

07/03/2024

With Independence Day celebrations fast approaching, it’s important to take precautions to keep your pets safe both during and after Fourth of July festivities. Here are 7️⃣ pet safety tips to keep in mind. You can find more important information here: https://bit.ly/2Yru6lC

06/25/2024

We had the pleasure of gifting this portrait of a beloved old friend to some great supporters of ours! Jim and Irene Petty from have been very supportive of California Service Dog Academy from almost our very inception and for that we will always be grateful.

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06/24/2024

Take this boy home! We are hoping to find a recruit raiser that is willing to help Casper learn how to be a good house dog. Ideally, Someone who can also bring him to weekly classes for obedience training. Someone Local, who has the time to invest into a dog for a good cause.

Casper is 11 months old. He knows commands like “sit, down, stay, come, and look”. He is potty trained, crate trained, and very friendly with dogs. His favorite activity is playing in his pool.

We hold two classes each week here in Visalia… Classes that Casper and his recruit raiser/foster can attend. We would like someone Local, so we can work with him at least once a week on his loose leash walking, obedience, and manners in public.

Some of Casper’s challenges in a home environment are that he tries to chew objects… water hoses, furniture, and just about anything wood, rubber, or plastic. He needs a place where he has lots of supervision and someone willing to learn how to work through these puppy behaviors. Don’t worry, we will help!

Casper will also need someone able to supervise his outside time, to discourage behaviors like digging.

We know it is a big ask, and a lot harder to find someone to help with a dog that is not a little puppy… but, Casper is a very very sweet boy, a total snuggle bug! He will be a lot of fun for the right person! Email us today if you are willing to help Casper reach his full potential!

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05/30/2024

This puppy has been donated to California Service Dog Academy by but the only way we can accept it is if we have a volunteer puppy raiser! Finding puppy raisers has proven to be a huge challenge for us as a nonprofit, so please share and consider the ultimate volunteer experience!

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05/28/2024

Congrats to this new team!
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05/27/2024

Nothing else to say…