Baylor Scott & White Health and Canine Companions for Independence, the largest provider of highly trained assistance, has opened on the Kinkeade campus, in Irving. It’s the first assistance dog training center campus in the nation connected to a healthcare system. It will provide highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support cost-free to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities that qualify through the application process.

Aiming to supply 60 dog and recipient teams per year, the program serves children, veterans and other people with disabilities that would benefit from an assistance dog. Professionals working for organizations that provide physical or mental health care to clients that would benefit may also apply.

The three types of animals they train include service dogs that assist adults with physical disabilities by performing daily tasks; skilled companions that enhance independence for children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities; and facility dogs that work with a professional in a visitation, education, criminal justice or healthcare setting.

For more information, visit baylorDogs.org.