Who we are:
ACTS - Assistance Canine Training Services is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to training service dogs for individuals with mobility disabilities and facility dogs for professionals using animal-assisted therapy in their full-time roles. We are proudly accredited by Assistance Dogs International and members of Animal Assisted Intervention International, ensuring the highest standards in our training and services.
Founded in 2007 by Dorothy Hyde-Williams in memory of her son Nate, who tragically passed away in a bicycle accident, ACTS continues to thrive on the passion born from great loss. Nate’s legacy lives on in our mission to bring something positive from tragedy, and we are honored to be founded in his memory.
As a small organization based in the Mount Washington Valley (Center Conway, NH), with a training center at the University of Vermont, we provide the personalized support that sets us apart in the field of assistance dog training and placement. Our key volunteers, with years of expertise in service and facility dog training, are dedicated, compassionate, and professional. They are committed to ensuring our dogs are well-prepared to assist individuals in need.
Our dogs are raised by local volunteer puppy raisers, who take these puppies into their homes at just eight weeks old and care for them for up to two years. These volunteers are invaluable to our mission, dedicating time and resources to prepare each dog for their future role. You might see them out in the community, socializing and teaching essential skills to the puppies who will one day become working dogs.
Our service dogs are placed with individuals across New England and beyond, while our facility dog teams make a difference in schools, counseling centers, daycares, group homes, and hospitals. While each service dog profoundly impacts the life of one person, our facility dogs touch countless lives in their roles.
All the costs associated with our dogs’ two-year training journey are funded through donations, grants, sponsorships, and client fees. We strive to keep fees affordable, making outside support vital to our success. Your contributions help us continue this important work—thank you for your generous support!
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:
We are committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all board members, staff, clients and volunteers feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other bias.
We strive to build a workplace culture of belonging and collaboration. A culture where diversity is welcomed and that is both inclusive and equitable. We welcome a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, interests, and skills and work to ensure that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.
What our clients are saying about ACTS:
“ACTS is very aware and sensitive to each and every client’s well-being, and will put 100 percent of their efforts toward ensuring every match is a perfect fit, and every relationship has full support. If someone wants to work with ACTS, they immediately will have a whole team advocating behind them. You get the whole family when you get them.” ~ Lacey
“You can tell just how passionate everyone is. They are all in it for the love of dogs and helping others. It just blows me away. I loved everything about it. I still love everything about it....They have spent their lives raising these animals and working together. They ensure that these dogs are going to change somebody’s life. It was amazing to see". ~ Stephanie
They have a real unique insight on matching dogs with their people”. ~Mark
Why what we do matters:
“I think the dogs came into my life so I could have my life back. The chances of me having a service dog, would never have happened (without ACTS).” ~Mark (Baxter)
"Digger adds so much to every day. We love him very much and we thank you for getting him to us. We are so grateful". ~Barbara (Digger)
“Brooke has got to be one of the luckiest dogs in the world. She loves her job & is happiest when she is amongst her 500+ students.” This little girl is beyond amazing at what she does for our students. From stopping a meltdown with kisses and resting her head in a child’s lap until he/she is calm to being an instant friend to our new students or a welcoming start to a reluctant student’s day...Brooke is worth her weight in gold! Everyday I have the joy of watching her make a difference in so many lives". ~ Melanie (Brooke)
“Captain is changing 520 lives and not just my students’, but my staff’s. He’s incredible. An amazing, amazing animal. I never knew I was going to love him so much. I had no idea. He’s incredible, he really is”. ~Stephanie (Captain)
