Trained to Empower: Service Dogs and Independent Living
Service dogs can play a transformative role in expanding independence, access, and participation for people with disabilities. Trained to Empower: Service Dogs and Independent Living brings together service dog users, professional trainers, puppy raisers, and leading service dog organizations for an engaging discussion about the extraordinary partnerships between people with disabilities and their dogs.
The panel will feature representatives from The Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey, and Canine Companions, whose service dogs and training programs were featured in the Netflix documentary Inside the Mind of a Dog. A puppy raiser will also join the panel to provide a firsthand look at the important role volunteer puppy raisers play. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about the extensive process involved in raising and socializing, preparing, training, matching, and partnering service dogs with people with disabilities.
This event will also include:
- Live service dog demonstration
- Training techniques presented by professional trainers
- Hear about lived experiences from service dog users
- Q&A and discussion opportunity
Whether attending in person at Rutgers University or joining virtually, participants will gain a greater understanding of the entire service dog journey—from puppy raising and professional training to partnership, access, and independent living.
Accessibility features:
- Accessible entrance
- Captioning provided
- ASL interpreter provided
- Microphones used to amplify sound
- Accessible seating available
If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please call (732)887-8722 or email javier.robles@rutgers.edu in advance of your participation.