Why Service Dogs Do Far More Than Offer Comfort

Owning a dog is good for you—like, really good for you. Studies have shown time and again that dogs relieve stress, provide health benefits (including lower cardiovascular risk), and improve your mood. What is it about dogs in particular that makes them so happiness-inducing?

“Their unconditional love,” says Karen “KP” Perez, community engagement manager for nonprofit Freedom Service Dogs (FSD). “I feel like healing starts when you don’t feel alone anymore. It starts when you are getting outside. And so these dogs kind of connect you back into that life.”

KP is currently raising Mango, a purpose-bred Labrador Retriever, as part of the FSD program, which custom-trains service dogs and pairs them with dedicated first responders and veterans navigating PTSD, neurodivergent young adults, and people with mobility limitations.

“We’re not on a first come, first serve basis,” KP says. “You [would] come to us, inquire about what you need, your disability, what that looks like, and how we’re able to custom train them for you.”

Anyone can raise a puppy with FSD; Mango is the fourth dog KP is helping train with the nonprofit, and the process takes about a year.

“Basically we’re working on manners, Mango and I. He’ll go back with the trainers to get more training to solidify him by the time he is two years [old],” she says.

We caught up with KP and Mango before their panel at our parent company’s festival, Outside Days, to ask about what it takes to become a service dog.