The Golden Hearts Giving Program

Sunshine Mountain Puppy Donation Program

A little sunshine. A Golden heart. The possibility of a life changed.

At Sunshine Mountain Retrievers, we believe the love we pour into our dogs can reach far beyond our own home.

The Golden Hearts Giving Program was created to help connect carefully selected Golden Retriever prospects with individuals, families, and professionals pursuing a future service, therapy, or facility-dog partnership.

Through this program, we occasionally donate a puppy by waiving the selected puppy’s purchase price. Each placement is thoughtfully considered, with the needs of the recipient and the well-being of the puppy guiding every decision.

Our hope is to help remove one meaningful financial barrier while giving a promising puppy and a prepared recipient the opportunity to grow together.

The Heart Behind Golden Hearts

This mission began long before it had a name.

Growing up, I saw people I loved navigate disabilities and mental health challenges. I learned how much patience, understanding, and dependable support can mean to someone whose everyday experiences may look different from those around them.

This mission is personal to me, too. I live with PTSD, anxiety, and night terrors connected to childhood trauma. My Golden Retriever, Payson, provides deep-pressure support that helps me feel grounded and regain a sense of safety during difficult moments. The connection we share has touched my life physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

He has helped me understand how powerful a partnership between a person and a dog can become.

That experience is part of what inspires the care behind our breeding program: thoughtful pairings, health screening, early development, and close attention to each puppy’s individual temperament.

I believe dogs are one of God’s greatest gifts. It is my prayer that Golden Hearts will allow us to share that gift with people whose lives may be positively affected by a future working-dog partnership.

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With love,
Sam
Sunshine Mountain Retrievers

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What the Program Provides

When a suitable puppy, recipient, and training plan come together, Sunshine Mountain Retrievers may donate a selected Golden Retriever prospect to an approved applicant.

A standard Golden Hearts placement includes:

• Waiver of the selected puppy’s purchase price.

• The puppy’s available veterinary, vaccination, and deworming records.

• Information about the puppy’s care, early development, and observed temperament.

• Guidance to help the recipient prepare for the puppy’s transition home.

• Ongoing breeder support throughout the dog’s life.

Any additional supplies, training, transportation, or financial assistance will be identified in the recipient’s written placement agreement.

We do not promise a set number of donations each year or a puppy from every litter. Placements depend on suitable puppies, appropriate matches, and available program resources.

Who May Apply?

We welcome applications through two placement paths.

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Service-Dog Prospects

Individuals with disabilities, or parents and guardians applying for a child with a disability, may apply for a puppy intended to train for specific disability-related work or tasks.

Applicants may include children, veterans, and adults with physical, sensory, neurological, developmental, intellectual, or psychiatric disabilities.

A diagnosis alone does not determine selection. We consider the intended tasks, professional training plan, household circumstances, and whether a particular puppy may be an appropriate match.

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Therapy- and Facility-Dog Prospects

We also consider applications from handlers, professionals, and organizations seeking a dog to support others in an approved setting.

Applicants must have a clear plan for the dog’s role, appropriate professional training and evaluation, any necessary facility permission, and an identified person responsible for daily and lifelong care.

Our Placement Area

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Arizona applicants receive preference because proximity can help us provide closer breeder support and coordinate with local training professionals.

Out-of-state applicants may be considered individually when there is a suitable training, transportation, and ongoing support plan.

This program focuses on future working-dog prospects. Families seeking a companion puppy are welcome to inquire about our regular placement process.

Understanding What “Prospect” Means

A prospect is a dog being considered for a possible future working role.

A donated puppy is not a finished service, therapy, or facility dog. Health, temperament, maturity, training, environment, handler participation, and the dog’s comfort with the work all influence the outcome.

We cannot guarantee that any puppy will qualify for or succeed in an intended working role.

Some dogs thrive in the work originally planned for them. Others are better suited to a different role or life as a cherished companion. We believe recognizing and respecting those differences is part of responsible placement.

Our dogs’ welfare will always come before a title, training deadline, placement goal, or social-media story.

Understanding the Different Roles

Service dogs are individually trained to perform work or tasks related to a person’s disability.

Therapy dogs work with their handlers to provide comfort and interaction to other people through permitted visits or programs.

Facility dogs work with designated handlers in an established professional setting. The role and requirements depend on the organization and the work involved.

Emotional support and companion dogs can provide meaningful comfort through their presence, but that alone does not make them service dogs.

Participation in Golden Hearts does not establish public-access rights or certify a dog for any role. Recipients must follow the laws and setting-specific requirements applicable to their dog and activities.

Recipient Commitments

A successful placement begins with a thoughtful, realistic plan.

Applicants must be prepared to provide:

• A safe, stable home where the dog can lawfully live.

• Appropriate food, grooming, supplies, exercise, rest, and enrichment.

• Routine and emergency veterinary care.

• Consistent, humane training that prioritizes the dog’s welfare.

• Appropriate professional guidance for the intended working role.

• Time and support for puppy raising and daily training.

• A plan for care during illness, travel, or changes in circumstances.

• A lifelong commitment, including a plan if the dog cannot continue working.

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An adult must accept responsibility for the placement. A parent or legal guardian must apply for a minor and oversee the dog’s care and training.

We consider household readiness, existing animals, and the support available to the applicant. Financial plans may include dependable family, community, or organizational support.

Professional Training Requirements

Golden Hearts recipients must have an approved professional training plan before a puppy is placed.

This may involve working with a qualified trainer or an established organization experienced in the dog’s intended role. Recipients may actively participate in training their own dog with appropriate professional guidance.

As part of our review, we may request:

• The trainer’s or organization’s contact information.

• Confirmation that they are willing to work with the applicant and prospect.

• An outline of the proposed training approach, anticipated costs, and follow-up.

• Permission for limited communication about the puppy’s suitability and progress.

Professional involvement is a requirement of our donation program. It is not a statement that the law requires all service dogs to attend professional training or obtain certification.

We have training referrals available. Training acceptance, pricing, payment arrangements, and outcomes remain subject to the individual provider.

Expenses the Recipient Covers

The standard donation waives the selected puppy’s purchase price.

Unless additional support is expressly included in writing, the recipient is responsible for:

• Professional training and lessons.

• Applicable program evaluations and fees.

• Veterinary care, medications, and preventive care.

• Food, grooming, equipment, and supplies.

• Transportation and travel.

• Housing-related expenses, where applicable.

• All other ongoing care costs.

• Shipment and travel cost related to the puppy if home is in another state.

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We encourage applicants to understand the anticipated costs before applying. Our goal is to help create a partnership that can be supported throughout the dog’s life.