About ECAD, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities

Service dogs for people with disabilities

ECAD, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities, is a nonprofit service dog organization in the Winsted and Torrington area. Its mission is to enable people with disabilities to gain greater independence and mobility through specially educated dogs.

Programs

ECAD runs several programs: Open Doors, Project HEAL, Canine Magic, facility dogs, and breeding and nurturing of future service dogs. People interested in a service dog can apply to see whether one is right for them. Volunteers help raise tiny puppies into confident, mature service dogs through programs such as weekend home stays and nursery teams.

What to ask

Ask about eligibility and the application process for a service dog, the timeline and costs involved, and volunteer opportunities.