Statistically, dogs are the most popular pet in America. Through the years, dogs have become humans' best friends through a symbiotic relationship that revolves around service.

No one has to tell Phoenix Assistance Dogs of Central Pennsylvania (PAD) about canine service and its importance. The local nonprofit has built its reputation by filling a need for assistance dogs.

"I believe dogs have a powerful impact on society," said PAD director and founder Linzey Zoccola. "For children, it's as a companion. Recent studies have shown that interacting with dogs can strengthen immune systems. We have so many roles for working dogs. The physical and emotional roles that dogs play in families' lives are so important."

PAD, which recently moved from 30 Copperfield Circle, Lititz, to 55 New St., Ephrata, trains and places assistance dogs with individuals with disabilities. PAD also instructs people on how to properly care for and work with assistance dogs through a mentorship program.

"Assistance dogs have been trained to help an individual with a disability with a task," said Zoccola. "They can perform on a cue. They can help guide a blind person, respond to a seizure, open a door, guide an individual to an exit or guide them to a car."

It typically takes 18 to 24 months to train an assistance dog. For the most part, PAD works with dogs 3 years old or younger and generally with dogs from the Labrador retriever, golden retriever and standard poodle breeds.

"They are typically the breeds that are easiest to train," said Zoccola. "They want to be followers. They're accepted by the community, and they're a fit size-wise for most clients. But each dog is different."

It costs anywhere between $15,000 and $20,000 to train an assistance dog, but PAD places its assistance dogs for about $2,500. That difference is made up through fundraising and donations from the community.

"I love what we do, but it's exhausting," said Zoccola. "The pressure of fundraising is something I don't think I understood when I first started. But I have realized that this is my calling and it's work that needs to be done."

And the need is great. PAD currently has a waiting list of four years for its assistance dogs.

"It's a huge need. It's astronomical," said Zoccola.

Currently, PAD is training 34 dogs. The nonprofit relies heavily on five volunteer puppy raisers to work with the canines.

"These dogs make an impact on other people's lives," said Lindsay Edwards, PAD's breeder coordinator.

"Time is the most invaluable resource, and it can impact the community," said Zoccola. "Our program has seen a drastic downfall of support - donations and volunteers - since COVID."

After working at Susquehanna Service Dogs for nine years, Zoccola founded PAD in 2009.

"My friends encouraged me to train service dogs," said Zoccola. "I'm in a wheelchair full time, and when I was 16, I got my first service dog. I wanted to give that gift to other people with disabilities, plus I love dogs. It was natural for me to combine those two things and do it full time."

To support PAD through volunteering or a donation, go to http://www.padcentral.org.