The Joys of Living Assistance Dogs (JLAD) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to raise, train, match, and place specially trained assistance dogs with individuals with disabilities, including people with Parkinson's and Autism. Our dogs are trained to meet the specific needs of each person with whom they are matched. Our dogs complete their training by the time they are 1.5 to 2 years old. Their exit from the program is marked with a special graduation that both they and their recipient participate in. Together, they must pass the Public Access Test, a series of tests used to determine their ability to be in public spaces, under a variety of circumstances, and operate safely.