One Mission:
To Mobilize the World
From providing mobility service dogs at absolutely no cost to educating the public on disability culture and rights, we are passionate students and professionals who volunteer their time and skills to accomplish one mission of mobilizing the world. Our mission ends when the financial barriers to obtaining and owning a high quality service dog are eliminated and the public's knowledge of the disability community and its rights are second nature. Until then, you'll find us tirelessly working to implement this vision. We believe that by providing even more independence to those with a physical disability in conjunction with being a catalyst for spreading awareness in support of the disability community, we are making the world a better place, four paws at a time.
Program News
February 16th 2025
Passing the Torch: Celebrating Bridget Evans and Our Future
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To Our Esteemed Donors, Alumni and Patrons,
It is with a mix of heartfelt gratitude and optimism for the future that we announce our CEO and founder, Bridget Evans, will be stepping down after 15 incredible years at Illini Service Dogs. Bridget’s leadership has been nothing short of extraordinary, and her vision has forever shaped our organization.
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The story of Illini Service Dogs began in 2010 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a student, Bridget proposed a groundbreaking idea: college students fostering and training mobility service dogs which are placed completely free of charge for individuals with physical disabilities. Her dream sparked the creation of the first program in the country to allow students to train service dogs from puppyhood to placement—an initiative driven by passion, dedication, and a commitment to serving our mission to mobilize the world and educate our communities on disability culture and its rights.
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Bridget’s journey with service dogs is deeply personal. Born with spina bifida, she found her first partner in independence and purpose with Coal, a black Labrador she began training as a service dog when she was just 11. Coal’s profound impact inspired her to train service dogs for others, eventually leading to the founding of Illini Service Dogs. Coal’s legacy lives on in every dog trained and every life changed through our organization.
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Illini Service Dogs remains a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, sustained by the efforts of individuals with expertise in animal rescue, dog training and behavior, and non-profit work. Together, we educate, advocate, and fundraise to ensure our mission thrives. Thanks to this dedication, and your support, we are able to provide high-quality service dogs free of charge to their partners, fostering not just independence but a broader culture of disability rights advocacy.
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As Bridget transitions out of her leadership role, we remain committed to her vision and the values she instilled in us. The search for our next CEO is underway, and with your continued support, we will carry Bridget’s legacy forward. Your generosity ensures that Illini Service Dogs will continue transforming lives, one partnership at a time.
We invite you to join us later this year in celebrating Bridget’s extraordinary legacy and embracing the exciting new chapter ahead for Illini Service Dogs. Details will follow this summer! Your unwavering support has been instrumental in our journey, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to our mission.
Sincerely and with gratitude,
Illini Service Dogs Board of Directors