our mission Help people. Help dogs.

We turn rescued shelter dogs into Service Dogs and pair them with Survivors of sexual assault and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) who have been diagnosed with PTSD.

Simone Emmons
The funds we raise go 100% directly to the survivors. It costs approximately $3,500.00 to provide one person a dog, send the dog and survivor through training and get them on the path to recovery and leading a full life. Simone Emmons, SDS Founder

learn moreAbout Our Mission

We are a Maine 501(c)(3) that funds adoption and training costs for Service Dogs and Survivors. This includes spaying/neutering. We match the appropriate dog with their survivor and place the team in a 20-week training program together. This training transforms the dogs from ordinary, shelter dogs into highly trained, "medical equipment" that offer both survivors and their dogs a new lease on life.

 

Our NeedSee what we need to accomplish our goals.

  • The Cost

    The cost to send one survivor and their new canine partner through our program is $3,500; we need at least $21,000 to fund our first class of six survivors and service dog teams. There are currently nine survivors, male and female, veteran and civilian, on our waiting list. To fund all nine survivor and service dog teams, we will require $31,500.

  • How You Can Make A Difference

    We are asking our growing, supportive community to help us raise the FULL amount to put all our waitlisted survivor and service dog teams through the program in our first class.

The TeamMeet our amazing staff.

Simone Emmons

Simone is a mother of two, a Army veteran, and founder of Service Dog Strong. She is leading her dream to bring dogs together with assault survivors. Before starting a family, Simone was a massage therapist. She is a published writer who is working on writing a book about her own story now. She truly believes acts of kindness can change people’s outcomes and change the world. Dogs have always been a huge part in her life and having her current service dog Gunner, has led her to pursue her dream to help assault survivors like herself.

Kristen Stacy

Kristen lives in Denmark ME with her husband, two dogs and one cat. After attaining a Bachelors in Sociology and a Masters in Social Work Kristen has the passion, education, and experience in helping people by coordinating client centered programs and life skill learning opportunities. Combining her two loves, dogs, and helping others, it is a dream come true to be the Co-Founder of Service Dog Strong. As a fellow sexual assault survivor it is through empathy, grit, and compassion that she plans to support both people and dogs through this journey.

Staff

The InfoOur stats at a glance.

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The GoalBecome a survivor with confidence.

Our main team consists of survivors themselves. Our team believes in responsible sustainability since we solely use shelter dogs and do not buy from breeders. We believe in the healing power of animals and recognize the strength of connection between dogs and their survivors. Victims of sexual violence sometimes have difficulty connecting with other people and the symptoms of PTSD can draw them into their own isolated world. With a service dog, victims can change their outlook to become a survivor able to navigate the world with confidence again.

Simone and Kristen