Service Dog Program
Service Dogs.Stronger Connections.Renewed Hope.
In partnership with Big Dog Ranch Rescue, our Service Dog Program supports approved active and retired first responders and military veterans in Palm Beach and Broward counties. The program is free to approved participants.
Our Partnership
In Partnership With Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
First Responders Foundation works with Big Dog Ranch Rescue to connect those who serve with carefully evaluated, professionally trained dogs. The Foundation receives and reviews applications; Big Dog Ranch Rescue makes the final approval decision, evaluates and approves each dog, and oversees training, placement, and follow-up.
Who we serve
Active and retired firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, dispatchers, and military veterans.
Service area
Applicants living in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
Program cost
Free to approved participants.
Participant responsibilities
Food, routine veterinary care, and other ongoing expenses of dog ownership.
Foundation Ambassador
Meet Luna
Adopted from Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Luna is a quick learner who loves people and other dogs.
Read Luna's storyFoundation Ambassador Dog
Meet Luna.
Luna was adopted by First Responders Foundation from Big Dog Ranch Rescue. She is a mixed-breed dog who was 4 years and 3 months old when she joined the Foundation, and she will turn five in December 2026.
Luna is a quick learner who loves people and other dogs. She is still in training and doing great.
- Adopted from
- Big Dog Ranch Rescue
- Breed
- Mixed breed
- Age at adoption
- 4 years, 3 months
- Turns five
- December 2026
- Status
- In training
More photos of Luna will be added as her training continues.
Who We Serve
Built for Those Who Serve.
The program is open to active and retired first responders and military veterans living in Palm Beach and Broward counties. Big Dog Ranch Rescue makes the final decision regarding applicant approval.
Firefighters
Active and retired firefighters who have faced demanding and difficult incidents in service to their communities.
Law Enforcement Officers
Active and retired officers and deputies from patrol, investigations, and specialized units.
EMS Personnel
Active and retired paramedics and EMTs who provide care in critical moments.
Dispatchers
Active and retired telecommunicators, the first voice on the line in an emergency.
Military Veterans
Men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
How the Program Works
Six Steps, Handled With Care.
First Responders Foundation is your starting point. Big Dog Ranch Rescue makes approval decisions and oversees every dog's evaluation, training, placement, and follow-up.
- 1
Step 1
Submit an Application
Applicants submit their applications through the First Responders Foundation website.
- 2
Step 2
Foundation Review
First Responders Foundation reviews each application for completeness and basic eligibility.
- 3
Step 3
Referral to Big Dog Ranch Rescue
Applications that meet the initial requirements are referred to Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
- 4
Step 4
Approval Decision
Big Dog Ranch Rescue makes the final decision regarding applicant approval.
- 5
Step 5
Selecting a Potential Dog
Approved participants may select a potential dog with assistance from Big Dog Ranch Rescue staff.
- 6
Step 6
Evaluation, Training, Placement, and Follow-Up
Big Dog Ranch Rescue evaluates and approves dogs and oversees training, placement, and follow-up.
Applicants With a Dog
Already Have a Dog?
Applicants may request an evaluation of their existing dog. Big Dog Ranch Rescue must evaluate and approve the dog before it can enter the training program. Approval is not guaranteed.
Answer "Yes" to the dog question on the application and share a few details about your dog.
Understanding the Difference
Not Every Working Dog Is a Service Dog.
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe different roles with different responsibilities and legal standing.
Task-trained
Service Dog
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. The tasks must be directly related to that person's disability.
Comfort for groups
Therapy Dog
Therapy dogs visit settings such as hospitals, schools, or stations to provide comfort to many people. They are not service animals under the ADA and do not carry the same public access rights.
Companionship
Emotional Support Animal
An emotional support animal provides comfort through its presence and is not trained to perform specific disability-related tasks. ESAs are not service animals under the ADA.
Supports a crew
Station Dog
A station dog lives at or regularly visits a fire, police, or dispatch facility to support the team as a whole. A station dog is not an individual's service dog.
This information is general and is not legal advice. Participation in the Foundation's program does not by itself establish ADA eligibility or public access rights. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, including housing rules, may treat these animals differently.
Application
Apply for the Program.
Start here. First Responders Foundation reviews every application for completeness and basic eligibility, then refers qualifying applications to Big Dog Ranch Rescue for a final decision.
Please do not include diagnoses, medical history, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive clinical information.
With your authorization, the Foundation shares your application information with Big Dog Ranch Rescue for program evaluation. See our Privacy Policy.
Submitting an application does not guarantee approval, placement, completion of training, or service dog certification.
Program FAQ
Questions, Answered Honestly.
Help make the next partnership possible.
Donate NowFirst Responders Foundation is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, registration number CH72758. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (1-800-HELP-FLA / 1-800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING FDACS.gov. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.