Love on Leashes
Our innovative Love On Leashes Program supports individuals with scent-related medical conditions—such as PTSD, anxiety, self-harming behaviors, and POTS—by training dogs to detect changes in body chemistry and behavior, enabling them to alert or respond to prevent or lessen medical episodes.
The National Institute of Canine Service & Training (NICST) is a pioneering nonprofit organization committed to transforming lives through highly trained service dogs. Based in Concord, California, NICST is renowned for its innovation, exceptional quality standards, and lifetime commitment to the teams we serve. Our mission extends beyond placing dogs; we create lifelong partnerships built on trust, support, and community. As the innovators in medical assistance dogs, NICST has set industry benchmarks for ethics, quality, excellence, and compassionate care.
What makes NICST unique:
- Innovators of Medical Assistance Dogs: Pioneered diabetic alert dogs and continue to lead in specialized service dog training. We are proud to be recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records for training the first diabetes alert dog in the world and for numerous national and international awards for our science, innovation, and implementation of our service dog training program.
- Our Lifetime Commitment: We provide ongoing support and training for the lifetime of each team, including placing successor dogs with our clients.
- Volunteer-Centric: Our programs thrive through the dedication of our passionate volunteers.
- State-of-the-Art Training Center: Our beautiful Concord facility supports world-class training and community engagement. All our training dogs live in loving foster homes and not in kennels.
For more information on how to apply to our program, please email Carrie@Dogs4Diabetics.com

