CENTRAL POINT, OR – Dogs for Better Lives (DBL), formerly Dogs for the Deaf, recently received notice that once again the national nonprofit has been awarded the prestigious four-star rating
from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator.
Charity Navigator’s rating system examines two broad areas of a charity’s performance; their Financial Health and their Accountability & Transparency. Ratings show donors how efficiently Charity Navigator believes a charity will use their support today, how well it has sustained its programs and services over time and their level of commitment to good governance, best practices, and openness with information.
“We’re truly humbled and honored to yet again be recognized by Charity Navigator as a 4-star rated national nonprofit – six years running. This is a true credit to our board, staff, volunteers, amazing clients, and super donors,” stated Chief Development Officer Harvey Potts.
Dogs for Better Lives has a forty year history of being fiscally responsible and thoughtful with the generous donations they have received from individuals, businesses, foundations, and community groups. It’s because of this generosity that we have been able to increase the number of dogs we rescue, professionally train, and ultimately place with qualified clients in Oregon and nationally.
“We know that donors quite often do their research before making a decision on a donation, whether that’s $50 or $5,000, they want to be assured that this donation is going to make a difference and is going to a fiscally responsible organization,” noted Interim President and CEO and Board Chair Ron Holzkamp.
The organization over the last five years has expanded beyond the national Hearing Dog programs, to include both Program Assistance Dogs (national) as well as Autism Assistance Dogs (Oregon). Hence the need for a name change in November 2017, Dogs for Better Lives, which better exemplifies the diversity of programs and what they do, bettering peoples’ lives.
Dogs for Better Lives is nearing completion of their 18,900 sq. ft., 40-kennel Second Training Facility, which will allow the organization to eventually triple the number of dogs professionally trained and placed annually across the country in three program areas. This facility would not have been possible without the significant generosity of DBL donors locally and nationally stepping up and contributing.
DBL places Assistance Dogs at a nominal charge — a $50 nonrefundable application fee and a $500 Good Faith Deposit. The deposit is returned after the client has successfully completed all paperwork and the team has been together for one year.
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Dogs for Better Lives is a national award-winning 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focusing on the training and placing of Hearing Assistance Dogs, Program Assistance Dogs, and Autism Assistance Dogs. Accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and recognized by Charity Navigator as a 4-star nonprofit, Dogs for Better Lives has been rescuing dogs, bettering lives, and providing Assistance Dogs since 1977.
10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, Oregon 97502 ● (541) 826-9220 ● www.dblboarding.wpengine.com ● info@dogsforbetterlives.org
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