We rescue dogs with untapped potential and transform them into certified service companions that change lives. Based in Holly Hill, Florida, Second Chance Service Dogs connects rescued animals with people who need them most.
At Second Chance Service Dogs, we believe that every rescued dog carries the heart of a hero. Our mission is to transform shelter dogs into certified service animals that empower individuals with disabilities to live fuller, more independent lives.
"A rescue dog doesn't just get a second chance at life—they get the chance to give someone else a second chance, too."
Founded in Holly Hill, Florida, Second Chance Service Dogs was born from a simple but powerful idea: the dogs that society discards often have the greatest capacity to serve. Our team, led by Armani Voorhees-Harthan and the McIntyre family, identifies rescue dogs with the temperament, intelligence, and drive to become life-changing service animals.
We work closely with local shelters across Volusia County and Central Florida to evaluate and select dogs that show exceptional potential. Through our comprehensive training programs, these dogs are transformed from overlooked shelter animals into certified service companions that provide mobility assistance, psychiatric support, medical alert capabilities, and so much more.
From rescue to service, we offer comprehensive training programs tailored to every step of the journey. Each program combines expert guidance with compassionate, positive-reinforcement methods.
Our flagship program transforms rescue dogs into fully certified service animals. Dogs are trained in task-specific work including mobility assistance, psychiatric support, seizure alert, and PTSD response.
We train dogs to provide emotional comfort and companionship for individuals with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. Focused on calm, responsive behavior.
Building the behavioral foundation that sets puppies up for service work success. Early socialization, basic obedience, confidence building, and exposure training for young dogs.
Specialized behavioral rehabilitation for rescue dogs with fear, anxiety, or trauma histories. We help these dogs overcome their pasts and discover their true potential as loving companions.
The bond between handler and service dog is everything. We provide comprehensive training for handlers to learn effective communication, care protocols, and how to work as a confident team.
Preparing service dogs for real-world environments. From grocery stores to airports, our public access training ensures dogs remain calm, focused, and reliable in any setting.
Every individual's needs are unique. Our custom task training program develops specialized skills tailored to your specific disability-related requirements — from deep pressure therapy to medication reminders, allergen detection to balance assistance.
Behind every service dog is a story of transformation — both for the dog and the person whose life they changed. Here are just a few of our favorite Second Chance stories.
Duke was found abandoned at a Volusia County shelter, underweight and anxious. After 8 months of training, he became a psychiatric service dog for Marcus, a Navy veteran. Today, Duke alerts to anxiety episodes and provides the calm presence Marcus needs to navigate daily life.
Bella, a gentle Lab mix, spent two years in rescue before joining our program. Now she's Sarah's mobility assistance dog, helping with balance, retrieving dropped items, and opening doors. Sarah says Bella gave her the independence she thought she'd lost forever.
Cooper, a shepherd mix, was overlooked in the shelter for months due to his high energy. That same energy makes him the perfect companion for 8-year-old Lily, who has autism. Cooper provides grounding pressure during meltdowns and has helped Lily thrive in school and social settings.
Our proven process transforms shelter dogs into certified service companions through four careful stages. Every step is guided by compassion, science, and dedication to both the dog and their future handler.
We partner with shelters and rescues across Central Florida to identify dogs with the right temperament for service work. Each candidate undergoes a thorough behavioral and health evaluation before entering our program.
Dogs enter our foundation program where they learn core obedience, socialization, and public manners. This stage builds the behavioral foundation essential for advanced service work and typically lasts 2-4 months.
Once matched with a handler, dogs receive specialized training tailored to their handler's specific needs. This includes task-specific work, public access preparation, and the beginning of the handler-dog bonding process.
The dog and handler graduate as a certified team. But our relationship doesn't end there — we provide lifetime follow-up support, refresher training, and a community of fellow handler teams to ensure lasting success.
Individuals with a documented disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities may be eligible for a service dog. This includes physical disabilities, psychiatric conditions (PTSD, anxiety, depression), autism spectrum disorder, seizure disorders, diabetes, and more. We evaluate each applicant individually to ensure the best possible match.
The full training process typically takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the complexity of tasks required and the individual dog's progress. Foundation training takes 2-4 months, followed by 4-8 months of specialized task training and handler matching. We never rush the process — each dog graduates when they're truly ready.
A service dog is trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person's disability (e.g., guiding, alerting to seizures, retrieving items). Service dogs are protected under the ADA and allowed in all public places. An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) provides comfort through companionship but is not trained for specific tasks. ESAs have housing protections under the Fair Housing Act but do not have the same public access rights as service dogs.
Yes. Our rescue-first mission is at the core of everything we do. Every dog in our service dog program comes from a shelter or rescue organization. We believe that rescue dogs, when properly evaluated and trained, make exceptional service animals. Not every rescue dog is suited for service work, which is why our evaluation process is thorough and selective.
Based in Holly Hill, we primarily serve Volusia County and surrounding Central Florida communities including Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, Deltona, and Palm Coast. We also work with clients throughout the state on a case-by-case basis, especially for our handler training and follow-up support programs.
We believe financial barriers should never prevent someone from receiving a life-changing service dog. Our pricing varies by program and individual needs. We offer sliding-scale fees and are actively working toward scholarship programs to make our services accessible to everyone. Contact us for a personalized consultation about costs and available assistance.
Yes! Under the ADA, owner-trained service dogs have the same rights as program-trained dogs. Our Handler Training & Support and Custom Task Training programs can help you train your own dog. We'll evaluate your dog's suitability, develop a training plan, and guide you through the process step by step. Not every dog is suited for service work, so an honest evaluation is the first step.
Ready to apply for a service dog, enroll in a training program, or just learn more? Fill out the form below and our team will be in touch within 48 hours.
351 Elsie Ave
Holly Hill, FL 32117
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: By Appointment
Your application has been received. Our team will review your information and get back to you within 48 hours. We're excited to start this journey with you!