Frequently Asked Questions

At Cosmos Working Dogs, our mission is to support the training and placement of:

• Service Dogs
• Therapy Dogs
• Emotional Support Dogs (ESAs)
• Well Trained Pet Dogs

In addition to placing working dogs, we are committed to helping pet dog owners raise well-mannered companions. By promoting proper training and behavior in pet dogs, we help reduce negative interactions in public spaces—creating a safer, more respectful environment for everyone, including working service dogs and their handlers.

At Cosmos Working Dogs, we use positive reinforcement techniques—rewarding desired behaviors to encourage learning and build trust. Rather than punishing unwanted behavior, we focus on guiding dogs toward success through encouragement, consistency, and respect.

We take a balanced approach to training, combining proven methods that prioritize the dog’s well-being and effectiveness as a working partner.

📘 Learn more about our methods on our Training Philosophy page.

Cosmos Working Dogs proudly places service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs) across the United States and Europe, bringing life-changing partnerships to individuals and families around the world.

In addition to our placement program, we currently offer therapy dog and pet dog training in California, with plans to expand these services to other states in the near future. Our goal is to make high-quality, compassionate training accessible to more communities, one paw at a time.

At Cosmos Working Dogs, we take a personalized approach to every placement. We begin by discussing the individual needs of each person requesting a service dog, carefully assessing the specific tasks and skills required to best support their daily life.

Based on this assessment, we tailor the training of a dog to meet those unique needs. Our service dogs are trained for a variety of roles, including:

• Autism assistance
• Seizure alert
• Diabetic alert
• Medical alert for other conditions
• Mobility support
• Hearing assistance
• FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) assistance
• PTSD support
• And more

Every dog is selected and trained with purpose—to empower their partner and enhance independence.

Cosmos Working Dogs is supported through a combination of private donations from individuals, gifts from businesses, civic groups, and service clubs, and grants from corporations and foundations.

We also rely on ongoing fundraising efforts, including special events, direct mail campaigns, and—most importantly—recipient-led fundraising. Each recipient actively participates in raising funds toward the cost of their service dog, helping to support their own journey and contribute to the mission of empowering others through highly trained service dog partnerships.

Specializing in Small Breed Service Dogs

At Cosmos Working Dogs, we specialize in the placement of Papillons as service dogs. These small but mighty dogs are intelligent, highly motivated, and deeply loyal to their partners—making them exceptional working companions.

While we do train larger breeds like Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, our primary focus is on small breed service dogs. We believe that with the right training, small dogs can provide life-changing support—especially for individuals who prefer or require a more compact companion.

At Cosmos Working Dogs, we believe that a great service dog doesn’t always have to come from within our program. In some cases, a dog already in your life may be capable of taking on this important role.

That’s why we offer professional evaluations of owner-provided dogs to determine if they meet the standards required for specific service tasks. Our assessments are thorough, honest, and focused on your dog’s potential, ensuring you have a clear understanding of their suitability.

Please note: For the safety and success of our teams, we reserve the right to move forward only with dogs we believe are truly capable of meeting the demands of service work.

Add an answer to this item.At Cosmos Working Dogs, the total cost to train and place a fully qualified service dog is approximately $40,000. This covers everything from personalized training and veterinary care to travel and placement support.

We ask each recipient to participate in a fundraising campaign of $20,000. This amount is not required to be paid out-of-pocket—instead, recipients work alongside our team to raise the funds needed to support their dog’s training and placement.

We believe that when recipients and their families are actively involved from the beginning, they gain more than just a service dog—they gain a sense of empowerment, pride, and ownership in the process. This investment strengthens the bond, deepens respect for the dog’s work, and creates lasting impact.

Your support helps us make these life-changing partnerships possible!