Service Dogs are lifesaving partners who require an extraordinary combination of health, ability, and temperament. Successfully training these exceptional dogs starts long before their first lesson — it begins with a meticulously planned and executed breeding program.

At Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD), we understand this fundamental truth. Our founders, Dale and Lu Picard, have dedicated their lives to developing an outstanding breeding program coupled with a robust network within the assistance dog industry to ensure that every puppy entering our training center has the potential to become a successful Service Dog.

A Focus on Health and Temperament

What makes an ECAD dog so special? It boils down to our commitment to excellence in genetics.

• Our Breeds of Choice: Our dogs are primarily Labradors and Golden Retrievers. These breeds are internationally recognized for their intelligence, eagerness to please, and reliable temperament, making them ideal candidates for service work.
• The ECAD Advantage: We take immense pride in owning all of our female breeders from birth. It allows us to track their health and temperament throughout their lives, giving us unparalleled insight into the quality of the genetics we are passing on.
• Rigorous Selection Criteria: Our standards for breeding are incredibly high:
  • Females: We select those with even temperaments, a genuine aptitude for learning, and superior health clearance.
  • Males: We utilize confident, excellent-health studs, exclusively sourced from other highly reputable Service Dog programs, ensuring a continued legacy of working excellence and a sweet, reliable personality.

Raised With Care: Our Breeding and Whelping Process

The quality of our dogs is a direct result of the nurturing environment we provide from day one.

ECAD will whelp between three and five litters annually, with the singular purpose of each puppy becoming a highly capable Service Dog. Our females are treasured members of the ECAD family and will have no more than four litters in their lifetime. After their breeding career, they transition into an equally important role: serving as exceptional ECAD ambassadors.

• The Whelping Center: All ECAD puppies are born at our dedicated breeding center in Torrington, Connecticut, under the careful supervision of the Picard family. The constant, loving oversight during the critical first weeks ensures maximum health and stability.
• The Best Possible Start: Having our own breeding program provides us with a consistent supply of puppies that we know meet the highest standards, helping to ensure the best possible candidates enter our rigorous training program.

Setting the Stage for Success: Early Education

The success of a Service Dog is not just about genetics; it’s about early, positive exposure. ECAD’s early education and socialization program is the true differentiator.

Our program begins while the puppies are still in the whelping box, and it stands the test of time, helping us achieve an 85% or better success rate — a testament to its effectiveness.

Key components of our early education include:

• The Puppy Nanny Program: We provide personalized care and attention during the first several weeks, introducing puppies to gentle handling and the presence of human caregivers.
• Early Exposure: Even as tiny puppies, we introduce them to a variety of noises, textures, and objects in a safe way. Early sensory exposure builds confidence and resilience, desensitizing them to the many stimuli they will encounter as working dogs in the real world.

How to Obtain a Service Dog 

If you or a loved one could benefit from the help of a Service Dog, you can learn more or apply for a Service Dog.

At ECAD, every Service Dog’s journey begins with a single paw print — and a purpose. From their first playful steps as puppies to the moment they meet their person, they spend each day learning, growing, and receiving the care and love that prepare them for their life‑changing role. 

They then undergo extensive training for 18 to 24 months before being matched with a person. That’s when the real magic happens — when a dog who has spent months learning and preparing finally meets the individual whose life they will forever change. It’s more than training; it’s the start of an unbreakable bond built on trust, independence, and hope.

Help Us Transform the Lives of People Living With Disabilities

By controlling the entire process — from careful genetic selection and humane breeding practices to intensive early socialization — ECAD provides the strongest foundation for our future Service Dogs. While we recognize that many excellent Service Dogs come from rescue or shelter programs, we have chosen in-house breeding as our primary method to maximize predictability and consistency in health and temperament. We believe our dedication ensures that when a client receives an ECAD dog, they receive a partner of exceptional quality.

By supporting Service Dog organizations or spreading awareness, you can help ensure that more people in need can experience the profound impact of a Service Dog.

Everyone can help people with disabilities live a more independent life with a Service Dog. Support us with a donation, a bequest, or planned giving, or create a fundraiser. You can also help us purchase items we really need, such as office supplies, client essentials, and items for the dogs, on our Amazon wishlist or at Walmart. The Walmart Spark Good Program allows customers who shop on Walmart.com or in the Walmart app to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar at checkout and donate their change to ECAD. 

Your support can change, even save, someone’s life!