About Phoenix Assistance Dogs
Building independence and transforming lives through the human-canine partnership since our founding in Central Pennsylvania.
Our Mission
PAD's mission is to locate and train puppies to become assistance dogs for individuals living with a broad range of disabilities. Highly trained assistance dogs provide greater independence in the lives of those individuals living with disabilities. PAD assists individuals in finding and training their own assistance dogs if they desire to train their own dog.
Our Story
PAD was founded with a simple but powerful vision: to provide highly trained assistance dogs to people who need them while supporting those who choose to train their own. What started as a personal commitment to helping individuals with disabilities has grown into a full-service organization offering assessments, dog placement, private and group training, and certification programs.
Over the years, PAD has placed assistance dogs with individuals living with epilepsy, diabetes, cardiac conditions, hearing loss, neuromuscular diseases, and more. Each partnership is unique, and every dog is trained to meet the specific needs of the person they serve.
Linzey Zoccola — Founder & Director, Phoenix Assistance Dogs of Central PA
Linzey Zoccola is the founder and director of Phoenix Assistance Dogs of Central PA (PAD), a nonprofit dedicated to increasing independence for individuals with disabilities through the use of highly trained assistance dogs.
What began as a passion for training service dogs has grown into a program built on one core belief: more people should have access to a well-trained service dog—without waiting years to get one.
Linzey has spent years immersed in every aspect of the assistance dog world, from breeding and raising puppies to training complex, task-specific service dogs using science-based, positive reinforcement methods. Her hands-on approach has shaped PAD into a program known for its high standards, structured training, and real-world reliability.
As the demand for service dogs continued to rise, Linzey recognized a growing gap—too many individuals were waiting years for a fully trained dog. In response, she evolved PAD's model to focus on owner-trained service dogs, mentoring individuals step-by-step as they train their own dog with professional guidance. Through this approach, PAD is able to help more people access service dogs in a fraction of the time, without compromising training quality.
Today, Linzey works closely with each team through private lessons, group classes, and public access training—whether they are training a dog they already own or working with a carefully selected, program-started dog. Her expertise spans a wide range of disability accommodations, including seizure response, medical alert, hearing assistance, and mobility support.
As a wheelchair user herself, Linzey brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She understands firsthand the life-changing impact of a service dog—and is committed to ensuring every team she works with is prepared, confident, and capable in the real world.
Our Training Philosophy
At PAD, every aspect of our training is guided by a commitment to the well-being of both the dog and the handler.
Positive Reinforcement
All of our training is rooted in reward-based, positive reinforcement methods — including clicker training. We believe this approach builds a trusting, confident partnership between handler and dog, creating reliable working teams that thrive in real-world environments.
Partnership Focused
We don't just train dogs — we build teams. Through any of our owner-training paths, every handler receives personalized guidance tailored to their lifestyle, disability needs, and goals. The result is a partnership built on mutual trust and understanding.
Individualized Approach
No two partnerships are alike. PAD works closely with each client to assess their specific needs — from the initial general needs assessment through candidate selection, training, and certification. Every step is shaped around the individual.
Community Powered
PAD's work is made possible by a dedicated community of volunteer puppy raisers, donors, and supporters. Our puppy raisers welcome future service dogs into their homes, providing daily socialization, training, and care — laying the foundation for every successful partnership.
Ready to Learn More?
Whether you're interested in our programs, want to volunteer as a puppy raiser, or simply have questions — we'd love to hear from you.