Lelah Sullivan has been training dogs for over 50 years and is the author of six dog training books built around her Full Potential Method. The method is rooted in time-tested circus training techniques, passed down to her by her Uncle Joseph, a skilled animal trainer in the circus. By refining and adapting those techniques, Lelah developed a compassionate and highly effective approach to training Service Dogs — one built on willing cooperation and intelligent partnership rather than robotic compliance.

In 2018, she founded Your Service Dog Inc, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals to train their own Service Dogs, while also providing fully trained Service Dogs at no charge to those who cannot train their own.

Beyond training, Your Service Dog Inc helps individuals find the right dog to begin with. For people who do not have a suitable candidate of their own, we offer carefully evaluated, partially trained dogs — dogs that have already been assessed for temperament and aptitude and given a solid start.

A thorough evaluation is the best predictor available, and it gives a partnership a real head start. It is not a promise. Dogs are individuals, and even a strong candidate may change careers along the way — that is true of every Service Dog program, ours included. What we commit to is matching thoughtfully to each person’s specific needs, and staying with the team through the work.

Through education, guidance, and direct Service Dog placements, Lelah and Your Service Dog Inc are making Service Dog access more achievable.