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On Vole Animal Assistance

Trained on the ground. Ready to fly.

We train assistance dogs, prepare rescued dogs for the right home, and help people understand what these partnerships make possible.

Tango, a grey shaggy service dog, standing next to a suitcase at an airport gate
Boarding passService dog
MEXCDG
PassengerTango
DestinationFrance

Understanding every dog. Creating new possibilities.

Every assistance dog starts with trust, patience and purposeful training. We read each dog's temperament, confidence and pace before we teach a single task.

Some dogs become partners for people with disabilities. Others flourish as family companions. Our job is to find the right path for each one, and the right person at the other end of the leash.

Read about our approach

Eleven kinds of work. One partnership at a time.

An assistance dog is trained for tasks tied to one person's needs. It goes beyond companionship: it makes everyday life more accessible.

Frijol, a black and white puppy in a service vest, pulling a sock off the foot of a wheelchair user

FrijolHelping with a sock

  • GD

    Guide Dogs

    Blind and low vision. Obstacles, curbs, crossings.

  • HA

    Hearing Assistance

    Deaf and hard of hearing. Doorbells, alarms, timers.

  • SD

    Service Dogs

    Physical, neurological and medical needs.

  • MA

    Mobility Assistance

    Dropped items, accessible doors, switches.

  • MD

    Medical Alert

    Recognize cues tied to a specific condition.

  • DA

    Diabetic Alert

    Scent changes linked to blood glucose.

  • SR

    Seizure Response

    Fetch a phone, trigger an alert, seek help.

  • PS

    Psychiatric Service

    Interrupt distress, guide to a safe place.

  • PT

    PTSD Assistance

    Environmental awareness, steady routines.

  • AU

    Autism Assistance

    Routines, transitions, busy environments.

  • AL

    Allergy Detection

    Alert to trained target allergens.

How each type of dog helps

Every dog has potential. Every partnership has a purpose.

We work at each dog's pace. Not every dog is suited to assistance work, and finding the role that fits is part of the job.

The full training journey
  1. 01 · Assess

    Discovering each dog's potential

    Temperament, veterinary and behavioral assessment before any new skill.

  2. 02 · Trust

    Building confidence and trust

    Clear cues, positive socialization, everyday manners and self-control.

  3. 03 · Skills

    Developing specialized skills

    Tasks matched to each dog's temperament and a future handler's needs.

  4. 04 · Match

    Creating meaningful partnerships

    Handler education and practice in the places daily life happens.

  5. 05 · Beyond

    Support beyond training

    Progress reviews, skills reinforcement and well-being guidance.

Isabella kneeling to touch noses with Biscocho, a golden retriever, in a park

Isabella & Biscocho

A difficult past doesn't decide what comes next.

Every dog adopted through On Vole is trained and prepared before joining a family. Then we teach you how to keep that training going, so the bond lasts.

Adoption asks for patience, consistency, clear rules and, above all, love. We'll help you get there.

I want to adopt
Oso, a black Labrador in an assistance vest, watching a therapist work with a small child in a play room

OsoISSSTE program for children with cancer

We bring our dogs to hospitals and care centers.

We visit centers that care for people living with illness, and our dogs go with us to keep them company and support them.

See our community programs

Take the first step toward greater independence.

Every application is reviewed individually. Placement depends on suitability, training and availability.

  1. 1

    Submit your application

    Contact details, daily needs and the kind of assistance you're looking for.

  2. 2

    Application review

    Our team reads your information and contacts you if we need more details.

  3. 3

    Personal assessment

    We talk through your lifestyle, goals and specific support needs.

  4. 4

    Dog matching

    A suitable dog, chosen for temperament, training, abilities and fit.

  5. 5

    Training and partnership

    Guidance on building a safe, effective partnership with your dog.

  6. 6

    Ongoing guidance

    Follow-up support, where available, for long-term success.

Apply for an assistance dog
Tadeo, a black Labrador, sitting on a bus

Can my own dog be trained?

Possibly. Every dog gets an individual assessment of temperament, behavior and health. Not every dog is suited to this work.

How certification works

Wherever you are, write to us.

No matter where you're located, we're committed to finding the best possible option to assist you.

Emailhello@onvoleassistance.org

Tell us your name, where you live and how we can help. We reply to every message.

Write to us