Our Mission
HK Cares is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), epilepsy, seizure disorders, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities by helping families obtain professionally trained service dogs.
We believe a family's financial circumstances should not stand in the way of life-changing support. Through fundraising, community partnerships, grants, and charitable donations, we work to reduce financial barriers and help children build safer, more independent lives.
Why Service Dogs Matter
Service dogs provide more than companionship. Unlike therapy dogs or emotional support animals, they are individually trained to perform specific tasks that help address their handler's disability.
Depending on a child's needs and the dog's training, these tasks may include:
- Responding to seizures and alerting caregivers when assistance is needed.
- Helping address elopement (wandering) risks through specially trained safety or tracking support.
- Interrupting repetitive or self-injurious behaviors.
- Providing deep pressure therapy to help manage anxiety, sensory overload, or emotional dysregulation.
- Retrieving medications, emergency phones, or other essential items.
- Alerting caregivers when a child is in distress.
With the right training and placement, a service dog may also help a child build confidence, participate more fully in daily activities, and feel more comfortable at school, in the community, and during family outings.
For families, that support can mean greater peace of mind and a stronger sense of independence for their child.
How the Program Works
Families may apply for assistance through the HK Cares Service Dog Program.
Applications are reviewed based on:
- The child's disability-related needs.
- The tasks and support a service dog could provide.
- The family's financial need.
- The family's ability to provide a safe, supportive home and meet the dog's ongoing care and handling needs.
Our goal is to help families access a service dog whose training is suited to their child's needs and can make a lasting, positive difference.
Real Impact. Real Families.
Behind every service dog placement is a child and a family with unique needs, hopes, and goals.
Your support helps reduce the financial barriers families face in obtaining a professionally trained service dog.
Together, we can help more children experience greater safety, confidence, independence, and opportunities to participate in everyday life.