Established in 1973 by Alamo Reaves, Ability Dogs of Arizona proudly stands among the pioneering assistance dog training organizations in the United States.
Our History
Ability Dogs of Arizona, previously known as Handi-Dogs, proudly stands among the pioneering assistance dog training organizations in the United States, established in 1973 by the visionary Alamo Reaves. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis during her college years, Reaves channeled her experience into activism, advocating for improved transportation and housing for individuals with disabilities.
A passionate advocate for dogs and their potential to assist people with disabilities, Reaves was inspired by the capabilities of assistance dogs for the blind. This inspiration was catalyzed upon hearing about a disabled woman who had trained her dog to assist with fetching and picking up objects. Collaborating with a dog trainer and her physical therapist, Reaves began the journey of training Mog, a Shetland Sheepdog, marking the inception of our organization. Initially, our training sessions took place at Reid Park in the Handi-Dog Pavilion, a facility made possible by the generous support of the Jim Click Family Foundation.
In 1977, Reaves formalized Handi-Dogs as an entity, achieving nonprofit status in June 1978. Today, we honor Alamo Reaves' enduring legacy and her innovative vision at the Alamo Reaves Service Dog Training Center located in Tucson, Arizona, continuing to empower individuals with disabilities through the unique support of trained assistance dogs.
