Yes, Believet™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a registered public charity. Our Tax ID Number is: 47-2829459

We are located 3 miles outside of Northfield, Minnesota, on 12 acres of country property.

Believet™ trains psychiatric and mobility dogs for veterans with disabilities battling post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and other medical and mental health conditions.

We use positive reinforcement methods, using treats to get the desired response. This method makes the transition from trainer to veteran seamless.

It varies a great deal based on the temperament and other factors relating to the dog. It generally takes anywhere from six to twelve months to train a service dog from start to finish. It depends on how quickly the dog catches on to the training, how motivated it is to work, and what kind of tasks and how many tasks the veteran requires it to learn.

The veteran has to complete a between 120 and 150 hours of training with Believet trainers and pass a public access test before being placed with their service dog. The process can take from 3 months to 6 months depending on how often the veteran can come for training, and readiness of the dog and veteran’s handling skills.

Veterans receive Believet service dogs free of charge. Travel to and from the training facility and any necessary lodging is their responsibility. Believet’s dogs are custom-trained for mobility and psychiatric tasks to help them lead more productive, independent lives. The cost of a veteran completing the Believet™ program is typically $42,000 as a result of the extensive, customized training that is involved for the veteran and dog team. The value this program brings to veterans and their families, enabling them to lead full lives, is priceless.

Believet can train service dogs for veterans who are hard of hearing but does not have the ability to train guide dogs for the blind or service dogs for the deaf. 

Believet trains dogs from a wide range of sources. We train dogs adopted from shelters and animal rescues, we train dogs who are donated to the program from supporers and breeders. We also train purpose-bred service dog puppies that we have bred internally, or that were bred at other ADI accredited service dog organizations.

Every dog is unique and different. What matters is temperament and suitability for both service dog training and service dog work.

Yes. Service dogs may be trained by professionals or amateurs. In order for a service dog to be recognized by the VA, it must be trained by an ADI Accredited organization like Believet.

Yes. Believet earned accreditation with Assistance Dogs International in 2024. Believet service dogs are eligible to become dogs of record though the VA.

Assistance Dogs International (or simply “ADI”) is the leading authority in the Assistance Dog industry. ADI is a coalition of non-profit organizations that train service dogs. ADI sets the overarching standards for service dog training and ethics.  For Believet to be accredited by ADI means that veterans can be assured that Believet is providing service dogs that are trained to a high standard and provides lifelong support for both veterans and their service dogs.

• Service dogs are specifically trained to perform specialized tasks to aid a person’s disability, and are trained to be under control in public places and a variety of situations.
• Emotional support dogs are not trained to perform tasks to aid a disability and are not trained to be good citizens in a variety of public spaces. Emotional support dogs provide a person comfort merely by their presence. They do not have the access rights like a service dog.
• Facility dogs are trained to be canine good citizens but are not trained for specialized service tasks for a disability. They are allowed in hospitals, schools, nursing homes to provide comfort to residents. Facility dogs do not have the same rights as service dogs. They are not allowed in restaurants, stores, and other public places because they are not needed to perform tasks for a person’s disability.

The majority of Believet’s funds come from public donations and support. Believet also applies for and receives grants from foundations and trusts as well as state and federal grants.

At this time, the VA does not give grants to service dog organizations for psychiatric service dogs that aid with PTSD and related symptoms. If VA policies change, we will actively pursue funding and a closer partnership with that essential veteran-serving organization.

Yes, you will receive acknowledgement for your donation.

Yes, you may send donations to:

Believet
P.O box 385
Northfield, MN 55057

Start the application process by selecting our Application Process page. On that page, there is a link for our Eligibility Survey. Once you complete the survey, it will be emailed to a Believet representative who will send you the full veteran application. If your application is approved, you will be invited to start training.

First, a veteran completes the eligibility survey found on our website. If all requirements are met, they will receive the full veteran application. The application consists of general information about their needs, living and work situation, and medical information to confirm the veteran’s eligibility-qualitying medical condition(s). There will also be a kennel visit to the Believet facility, and a home visit to ensure a safe living environment for a service dog. Once accepted into the program, Believet will schedule a date for orientation.

Veterans must complete a minimum of 120 hours of training with Believet™ trainers. It will depend on how often the veteran can come in for training, how long they stay for training, and how well they utilize that time in the training room. It also depends on 1) if we have a dog suitable for the veteran at the time you start training; 2) how much time the dog needs for training to learn the service skills the veteran requires; 3) how skilled of a handler the veteran is.

Generally no, but if the dog is older than 6 months old and younger than 2 year of age, we will evaluate your dog for suitability as a prospective service dog. We are willing to train veteran owned dogs when appropriate.

Our trainers are highly experienced at matching veterans to service dogs and they make every effort to make the best possible handler/dog team based on their judgment and experience. The focus is on ensuring that the service dog possesses the qualities, temperament and skills that are needed to best serve the veteran’s needs.

No. Once accepted to our veteran program, the training team will provide training orientation and work out a plan and timeline with each veteran individually based on veteran schedule/availability and our current service dog / dog-in-training situation. 

On the state and federal level, there are NO requirements for individuals with service dogs to have registration or proof that the dog is a service dog. Although most organizations including Believet give their recipients Service Dog Identification Cards.  Any place that asks for proof of identification for a service dog is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

What you can do in that situation is ask to speak to the manager or person in charge. Educate that person on the Americans with Disabilities Act and the fact that there is no state or federal law requiring anyone with a service dog to provide proof. The only valid reason a business owner can deny access is if the dog is not under control. Be polite and calm. If they still refuse service, go somewhere else. It’s up to you if you want to get authorities involved.