BLUE STAR SERVICE DOGS INC

In 2025, 49 students were approved and enrolled in the Blue Star Service Dogs program. During the onboarding phase, 13 students determined they were unable to commit to the time and training requirements of the program and chose not to move forward before training began.Of the 36 students who progressed into the program, three participants began training and later determined that a service dog was not the appropriate tool for their needs. These decisions were made collaboratively and early in the process to ensure ethical placement and the best long-term outcomes for both the individuals and the dogs.In 2025, Blue Star Service Dogs proudly graduated 14 students, including 11 veterans and 3 first responders, each completing our individualized service dog training program. Graduation timelines reflect individualized pacing, particularly for participants living with PTSD or traumatic brain injury (TBI), to support long-term success. Graduated teams continued to receive follow-up support, training guidance, and access to Blue Star Service Dogs resources to support long-term success.

During the year, Blue Star Service Dogs brought 29 dogs into training, including 24 dogs rescued from shelters across Michigan and 5 dogs entering the program through responsible breeder donations. Five dogs were career-changed and returned to their original shelters after careful evaluation to ensure the best possible outcome for each dog, and all five were adopted into permanent homes within one week of their return.Overall, approximately 83% of dogs brought into training in 2025 successfully remained in the program. This retention rate reflects a thoughtful intake and selection process that prioritizes ethical decision-making and long-term success for both dogs and handlers.Our prison-based training program remained a cornerstone of our work, with 29 dogs actively training inside Michigan correctional facilities. In 2025, 78 incarcerated teammate handlers participated in the program, providing daily care, structure, and foundational obedience and early task training under the guidance and supervision of Blue Star Service Dogs trainers, who visited the facilities weekly to support progress and maintain training standards.In addition to our service dog program, Blue Star Service Dogs continued its long-standing Bay County Animal Control partnership, through which 25 shelter dogs received basic obedience, manners, and confidence-building training to increase adoptability. All of these dogs were successfully adopted into permanent homes.