Our Partners
The following partners are essential to NICST’s mission and philosophies. Like us, they value life, innovation, and family, and we are proud to call them partners!
A special thanks to these partners! Please know that helping one of our partners helps NICST in our life-saving mission.
Want to join the NICST family as a parter? Get in touch!
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) is our largest supporter. Our founder Mark Ruefenacht received Armstrong, our foudingdog, from GDB, and we continue to receive dogs from this organization. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the US, and together with GDB, we work to help diabetics avoid the complications of the disease.
Bollinger Canyon Animal Hospital
The professional and compassionate staff at Bollinger Canyon Animal Hospital has been caring for our dogs for years. The team understands the lives and needs of service dogs, and we have trusted them to care for dogs while they’re in training and after placement. We’re grateful for the support of these expert veterinarians and staff!
Redbarn Pet Products
Redbarn Pet Products is our official treat sponsor, donating cases of Protein Puffs, a natural treat our dogs truly love, on a monthly basis. These tasty training treats, packed with 75 percent protein and less than one calorie per treat, allow us to properly train, reward, and fuel our dogs in a healthy, sustainable way. Natural is not just a trend at Redbarn, it’s their food philosophy, and we’re proud to join forces with like-minded individuals.
Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is a global nonprofit organization that sets the highest standards for the training, placement, and welfare of assistance dogs worldwide. Through a rigorous accreditation process, ADI ensures that member organizations meet strict requirements for ethics, dog care, client support, and training quality. Recognized internationally as the gold standard in the field, ADI accreditation reflects a commitment to excellence, accountability, and life-changing partnerships between people and assistance dogs.
The International Breeding Cooperative
The International Breeding Cooperative (IBC) is a collaborative network of assistance dog organizations dedicated to the ethical, sustainable breeding of dogs for service and medical alert work. By sharing data, best practices, and genetic research, the IBC works to improve canine health, temperament, and working success while promoting the highest standards of welfare and responsibility. Through cooperation and science-driven breeding, the IBC helps ensure a reliable future for high-quality assistance and medical alert dogs.
Powerful Partnership: NCIST – GDB
Powerful Partnership: NCIST – ARF
All of the programs at NICST operate under these guiding values:
- Life: Our dogs save lives. We have the highest regard for life and treat our dogs and clients with the greatest respect.
- Innovation: We started as a scientific research project and continue to innovate in the field to provide the accuracy and reliability that saves lives.
- Community: The community at NICST supports you and your dog for life.
