Puppy Jake Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to training service dogs for veterans, is pleased to announce that it achieved reaccreditation by Assistance Dogs International (ADI), the leading authority in the assistance dog industry. ADI establishes and promotes standards of excellence in all areas of assistance dog acquisition, training, and partnership. Puppy Jake is the only ADI-accredited service dog organization headquartered in Iowa.
Since its inception, Puppy Jake has placed more than 65 dogs with veterans across Iowa and the Midwest. In addition to its service dog program, which relies on a network of volunteer foster families to help raise and train dogs, Puppy Jake Foundation also offers other programs designed to help veterans strengthen the relationship with their dogs while addressing behavioral challenges and enhancing quality of life.
“This reaccreditation is meaningful to our organization because of its thorough and rigorous process,” said Lisa Russell, CEO of Puppy Jake Foundation. “ADI examines every aspect of our organization—from how we do business to the details of our dog training, placement, and follow-up support. Earning reaccreditation confirms that our standards meet the highest level of excellence and reinforces our commitment to serving veterans with integrity and care.”
Once accredited, an organization becomes a member of ADI. Member organizations must complete a reaccreditation every five years to comply with ADI’s Standards of Practice. ADI accreditation is a peer-review, year-long process conducted by a trained ADI assessor. Currently, there are 177 ADI-accredited assistance dog organizations in the world.
ADI accreditation assures veterans, donors, and community partners that Puppy Jake Foundation adheres to internationally recognized best practices and ethical standards in the assistance dog field. The reaccreditation underscores Puppy Jake’s ongoing dedication to improving independence, confidence and well-being for veterans through a variety of canine-assisted programs.
