Facilitating a Better Life For Veterans Through Canine Companionship and Service

OUR FACILITY

 

Veteran Canine Training Center

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers, our trainers, and our donors, we were able to open our new Veteran Canine Training Center in the fall of 2020. This facility has 18 indoor/outdoor kennel runs, office space for our staff, a classroom, a veterinary treatment room, a dedicated grooming space, and two indoor training rooms. This facility is the culmination of 10 years’ of work and over a million dollars of investment. SMSD is extremely proud of this world class facility as recognized by Assistance Dogs International.

In December of 2020, the Andy Quattlebaum and Blackwell Family Foundations became a Sustaining Partner for SMSD as they made a significant donation and endowment that will help insure the long-term viability of our mission. You may have noticed the wonderful Memorial Sign at our training center honoring the memory of Andy Quattlebaum who lost his life at the age of 22. Andy also had a wonderful yellow lab “Oak” which is why we have a lab by the name of “Oak” in training. Smoky Mountain Service Dogs is HONORED to be part of the Andy Quattlebaum Complex.

 

 

Take the video tour here:


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Training Spaces

We are thrilled to have an indoor training space. These two rooms can be converted into one large space if needed.


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The Kennels

Thanks to the generous support of our sustaining partner, Altr’d State, we now have 18 indoor / outdoor kennel runs to house our dogs in training.


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Custom Runs

Each one of our dogs gets their own kennel run. When the guillotine doors are raised, they can go in and out of their run as they please. Our kennels are sanitized daily and allow each dog to have their own space. SMSDit “Blair” is seen waiting for his turn to go to the training room to learn a new skill.