NBCUniversal Partners with America’s VetDogs: Service Dog Training at 30 Rock and Universal City Begins

In an effort to promote accessibility and educate employees, NBCUniversal has entered into an exciting partnership with America’s VetDogs and their sister organization, the Guide Dog Foundation, on the Puppy-In-Training program. This initiative provides a comforting and valuable experience for employees and also reflects NBCUniversal’s ongoing commitment to accessibility.

Building on a successful history of collaboration, America’s VetDogs and the Guide Dog Foundation will once again partner with NBCUniversal to raise two future service dogs—one located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York and another at 100 Universal City Plaza in Los Angeles.

What is America’s VetDogs?

For 20 years, America’s VetDogs has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel. America’s VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves clients from across the United States.

What is the Guide Dog Foundation?

The Guide Dog Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with a mission to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, have low vision, or have other disabilities. Now celebrating 80 years since its founding in 1946, the organization has trained and placed guide dogs and service dogs to provide increased independence and enhanced mobility to people with disabilities.

How Does America’s VetDogs Service Dog Training Program Work?

With the supervision of experienced “puppy raisers,” the puppies will be raised and trained on-site at NBCUniversal offices in both New York and Los Angeles. Employees will take part in educational demonstrations, while the puppies learn socialization skills and how to navigate large, busy environments. At the end of the puppy training period (14–16 months), the dogs will formally enter advanced service dog training in the hopes of graduating to become certified service dogs for veterans or first responders with disabilities.

NBCUniversal's History with Service Animals

As one of the National Organization on Disability's Leading Disability Employers, NBCUniversal values accessibility and disability inclusion. The company has long supported service animals through various programs and partnerships, including several with America’s VetDogs and the Guide Dog Foundation. TODAY’s most recent puppy with a purpose, Sunny, spent a year and a half educating TODAY show staff and viewers before becoming the first facility dog at the Henry Viscardi School at the Viscardi Center on Long Island, where he supports students with physical disabilities.