– Graduation

    • Contrast
    • Layout
    • Font

October 11, 2026

1:00 PM at the Draper Woody and
Jo Lynn Draper Pavilion
at Saint Francis Service Dogs

 

We can’t wait to celebrate our new class of incredible service dog teams, and we want you to be there!  The event will include meeting and celebrating our Class of 2026, presentation of diplomas, and a dessert reception to follow.  

Let us know if you can make it below!

This event would not be possible without our graduation sponsors!
While you wait for Graduation 2026, celebrate by watching last year’s ceremony!
Make a Donation to Honor our Graduates

Thank you to our Graduation 2026 Sponsors!

Graduation 2026 is presented by:
Title Sponsor:

Coming soon!

Partner Sponsor:

Coming soon!

Willoughby Sponsors:
Tyler Sponsors:
Additional sponsorships are available.  See our 2026 Graduation Sponsorship Packages!

 

Back to top
give the gift of independence

By making a gift to honor our Class of 2025, you allow us raise, train, match, and place the Class of 2026, 2027, and beyond!

Give Today

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicant must be seeking partnership with a service dog for support with a physical or developmental disability or a facility dog serving people with physical or developmental disabilities or in a courtroom setting.  We do not place emotional support, therapy, psychiatric, guide, or alert dogs.
  • Applicant must reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia and/or in the area within a 3 hour drive of our facility in Roanoke, Virginia at the time of application and final placement.
  • Applicant must have a fenced in yard with minimum dimensions of 36’ x 12’ x 4’ or the ability to construct a fence of these dimensions.  (This guideline does not necessarily apply to facility dog applicants.)
  • Applicant’s home must be a safe, healthy and loving environment for a dog to live in.
  • Applicant must demonstrate ability to provide for dog’s care monetarily, including feeding high quality dog food, providing for regular check-ups, purchase of flea and tick control, heartworm preventative, and any other medications, treatments or surgeries that may be needed.
  • Applicant may not have a pet dog in the home, unless an exception is made due to age or sickness of the pet dog. This guideline does not apply to service dogs already in the home or facility dog applicants.  
  • Applicant must show ability and willingness to keep service dog under control at all times.
  • Applicant must show ability and willingness to travel to Roanoke for screening, classes, interviews, 5-day training, and scheduled certification and recertification tests. Applicant must be able to pay for all travel expenses, including overnight stays during 5-day training (this includes in-town applicants). 

Founding Big Dogs

Mr. and Mrs. Jake Allison
Kenneth “Andy” Anderson and Dr. Marti Anderson
Mike and Carol Anderson
Dr. Timothy Andriano
Peggy Bizjak
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brunette
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Craver III
Ms. Jo Lynn Draper
Duffy Family Foundation
Mr. Peter Emch
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Finkler
First Four Petroleum LLC
Linda and Frank Foti
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Foti
Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co.
Dr. and Mrs. Paul Frantz
Mr. Ed Hall
Happy Endings Bar and Grill
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Milward

Ms. Mary Anne Mullins and Mr. Christopher Robinson
Ms. Yvonne Olson
Mr. and Mrs. John Olver
Ms. Elizabeth Parsons
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Petrine
Mrs. Emily Reynolds
Mike and Krista Sinnott
Mrs. Joy Davis Smith
Mr. Marvin Smith
Mr. Maury Strauss, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Strauss
Ms. Suzanne Thorniley
Varsity Landscaping and Grounds
Karen and Chuck Wakeford
Mr. and Mrs. Barton Wilner
Ann Marie and Reggie Wood
Ms. Dianne Woody