Background and Significance
Great Plains Assistance Dogs Foundation, Inc. was incorporated in February of 1992. Founded by a group of individuals who were very committed to seeing that Assistance Dog services would be provided in and around North Dakota.

In the winter of 1994, there was a building expansion project underway and
a steady stream of very flattering publicity. The Executive Director of our program
was voted onto the board of directors for Assistance Dogs International in 1995
after being named to "Who's Who Among Outstanding Americans" for 1994-1995. 

This history has led to the development of a very strong organization
with much respect and many accolades from colleagues and clients alike.

Geographical Areas Served
Service Dogs for America receives donations and financial gifts from every state in the United States. Through our military and government employees we receive donations from the Combined Federal Campaign. With these gift givers our support extends far beyond the United States borders. Following is a listing of states and countries where we have delivered real and tangible work and services.

All totaled to date, SDA has worked with more than one hundred cases involving twenty-seven states and two foreign countries. We have presented hundreds of demonstrations to clubs and schools in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota. We have through the past fourteen years fielded phone, letter, and email inquiries from every state in the country. Having provided information, referral services and consultations to hundreds of people through the years. All of this from our little town [pop. 85] of Jud, North Dakota.

Target Audience and Performance Sites
Persons living with disability are the target of our services. Program services are available to the United States and Canada. Presently 18 states and 2 Canadian provinces have been served. Information about the program (as well as others like it) is available to anyone upon request.

Service Dogs for America is in continual communication with other training
centers. We also advise high school and college students on career choices
within this field. Communication between our organization and those
organizations which represent specific disabilities (i.e. Epilepsy Foundation,
United Cerebral Palsy, and others) is also considered a very necessary
part of our program.  Service Dogs for America operates out of the
Great Plains Training Facility in the rural town of Jud, North Dakota.
This is perhaps an unlikely geographical location for a project which
has such far reaching effects.  The small town size works well for the initial
training of both Assistance Dogs and the people they serve. 
Currently Service Dogs for America has served more than 100 individuals,
with an additional 8 (minimum) to be added in 2006.

Declaration
Great Plains Assistance Dogs Foundation, Inc. (d.b.a. Service Dogs for America, 2003) a not for profit corporation registered in the state of North Dakota declares that as of September 10, 2006 , no adverse action has been taken by the Internal Revenue Service which would nullify its non-profit status.  We have examined such documents and certificates of public officials and made such other investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary. We have assumed that all signatures are genuine and duly authorized, all items submitted to us as originals are authentic, and all items submitted to us as copies conform with originals.  Further, Great Plains Assistance Dogs Foundation, Inc. (d.b.a. Service Dogs for America) is a non-profit North Dakota corporation in good standing in the State of North Dakota and it has been in good standing in the State of North Dakota since February 10, 1992. Great Plains Assistance Dogs Foundation, Inc. (d.b.a. Service Dogs for America) is currently a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. 

Objectives and Aims
The stated objective of the Dog Grant Fund is to give Service Dogs for America the ability to train, place, and maintain assistance dogs for physically challenged individuals, and to do so without placing excessive financial liability on the individuals receiving our services.  The broad long-term goal of this program is to serve 24 physically challenged individuals annually. Services will be provided in a variety of methods including:

• Placement of dogs trained and certified by our program.

• Certification will be provided upon completion of testing.

• Provide referrals and advisement to any individual living with a disability who is interested in
  assistance dog services.

• Provide educational services to the general public as well as those living with a disability, through fraternal clubs, school systems, and all other avenues which might lend themselves to education within our expertise. 

All of the above listed items have been attained in the past, however not to extent currently demanded of this program. Each week we receive a few inquiries into program services available. These develop into new applications.  With every individual living with a disability who receives a dog, news stories and exposure to the general public create additional interest and demand for our services. 

The realistic aim of the Service Dogs for America's "Dog Grant Fund" is not to provide services to every individual living with a disability. It is realistic to increase the present ability with particular attention towards those who have specific "special needs"...specifically children, and those with seizure conditions.