Mission
The Silver Saddle Foundation prepares neurodivergent young adults for meaningful employment in the pet care industry and beyond through structured, real-world training in animal care.
The Silver Saddle Foundation creates life-skills and workforce pathways for neurodivergent young adults through hands-on training in animal care.
Participants build practical skills in grooming, training, kennel and stable operations, animal care, and workplace readiness while gaining confidence, responsibility, and connection.
At the same time, rescue animals in our care receive compassion, enrichment, consistency, and trusted human relationships
The Opportunity
Neurodivergent individuals face disproportionately high barriers to employment, despite strong capabilities and a desire to contribute. At the same time, the U.S. animal care industry is a rapidly growing sector with ongoing demand for skilled, reliable professionals.
The Silver Saddle Foundation bridges this gap by aligning participant strengths with workforce needs through structured, applied training that leads to employment pathways.
What We Do
The Silver Saddle Foundation provides structured vocational training grounded hands-on experience and real responsibility. Participants work alongside experienced professionals to develop skills in:
Dog grooming, training, and daily care
Horse care and barn management
Foundational animal health knowledge and non-clinical veterinary support
Participants demonstrate measurable growth in job readiness, communication, and collaboration. The program culminates in supported transitions to internships and employment through partnerships with local animal care providers.
Our Approach
The Silver Saddle Foundation is neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based, integrating vocational training with social-emotional development through animal partnership.
Connection & Regulation: Builds emotional awareness and communication
Purpose Through Contribution: Real roles in daily operations
Community & Belonging: Fosters dignity and connection
Access & Inclusion: Scholarships ensure access
Participants demonstrate measurable growth in job readiness, communication, and collaboration. The program culminates in supported transitions to internships and employment through partnerships with local animal care providers.
What Makes This Different
Silver Saddle Foundation helps rescue dogs receive the steady care, training, enrichment, and trusted human connection they need to prepare for lifelong homes.
In our unique setting, rescue dogs are supported by experienced animal-care professionals while also becoming part of a meaningful learning pathway for neurodivergent young adults. Through guided work in grooming, care routines, enrichment, and positive interaction, participants build confidence, responsibility, and practical workplace skills.
This program is built around a reciprocal model: rescue dogs benefit from consistency, patience, and compassionate care, while participants build confidence, responsibility, communication, and practical workplace skills in a real animal-care environment.
Training within an active, working animal care facility
Real responsibility—not simulated experiences
Integrated skill-building and social-emotional development
Direct pathways to internships and employment
1900 Riverside Drive
Glendale, CA 91201
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