Overview of Genesis Assistance Dogs, Inc.
Organization’s History
Genesis Assistance Dogs, Inc. (Genesis) is a fairly new Palm Beach County organization. It was founded on April 28, 2012, incorporated as a State of Florida nonprofit corporation on June 4, 2012, and received IRS designation as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code on September 14, 2012 (retroactive to June 4, 2012).
Organizational Goals and Objectives
Genesis Assistance Dogs, Inc. was founded in 2012 with the vision of providing people with disabilities the dedication, service and companionship of an assistance dog in Florida. We believe a partnership between an assistance dog and a person with disabilities is a transformational relationship for both, and we are dedicated to supporting that special bond. Focusing on individuals with mobility challenges, Genesis Assistance Dogs, Inc. helps children and adults with disabilities realize greater independence through the careful selection and training of highly skilled assistance dogs. We believe that the increased independence an assistance dog brings to a person with disabilities benefits not only the individual, but the community as a whole. Our client base includes individuals with disabilities such as balance problems, brain injuries, and those individuals confined to wheelchairs due to physical disabilities.We offer regular, ongoing support to each individual client, and are proud to offer our assistance dogs in Florida at no cost to the client. What sets us apart from similar organizations is that Genesis Assistance Dogs, Inc. continues support of our clients and dogs through the life of their journey, also at no charge to our clients. These dogs truly make the lives of their partners happier and healthier by offering them a new independence!
Organizational Structure
As a small organization, Genesis relies solely on donations from our generous supporters, and through various fundraising activities during the year. Due to our size, Genesis does not have a paid staff and all work done for the organization is done so on a purely volunteer basis, and is overseen by the organization’s Board of Directors.
Our Success
Our assistance dogs in Florida truly make a difference in the life of a person with a disability! Someone who is physically challenged knows the difficulty that can be found in everyday tasks that most of us tend to take for granted. For those dealing with the day-to-day challenges of life with a disability, a custom trained assistance dog can be of enormous support in helping them to achieve a greater level of mobility and independence. An assistance dog can reduce the cost of medical expenses for people with disabilities. A 1996 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that service dogs could generate significant cost savings for severely disabled people, because they reduce the need for paid human care providers. Additionally, in 1995, a 2-year study by Dr. Karen Allen found that people with disabilities that had service dogs scored higher for psychological well-being, self-esteem, community integration, and the amount of control they could exert over their environment. Support of our organization helps us to achieve our goal of providing independence to people with disabilities and living life to their full potential.
