DUO
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
DUO meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"To offer dignity, hope, and independence by providing highly skilled service dogs to individuals with disabilities, and uniquely trained therapy teams to serve the community."
Year, State Incorporated:
1981, MO
Also Known As:
Support Dogs Inc
Duo Dogs, formerly Support Dogs for the Handicapped, Inc. was founded in 1981 by Sandy Maze, who suffered from muscular dystrophy. A St. Louis chapter was formed in 1983 and, in 1985, became the national headquarters for what is now known as Duo Dogs. The organization was formed to match assistance dogs to those with physical disabilities to improve their quality of life but has since grown to matching Mobility, Hearing, PTDS and Facility service dogs with clients. Assistance Dogs are bred, raised and trained to Assistance Dog International standards to become service dogs. Once trained, the dogs can assist with mobility and hearing related tasks such as retrieving items, opening and closing doors, and alerting to sounds. PTSD assistance dogs serve local veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder reorienting a client to time and place, reducing anxiety, intervening during nightmares or night terrors, and providing a social bridge for positive interactions in the community. A Facility Dog is trained and placed with a facility that works with at risk populations. Typically, the dog is utilized as a therapeutic tool by the handlers, helping to initiate a response from the residents, patients or clients of the facility. These dogs have exceptional patience and temperament for working around all types of individuals. Courthouse Facility Dogs are placed with individuals who work with children and adults who have been mentally, physically and/or sexually abused. The dogs are used as part of the forensic interview process to help gather information from the victim. If necessary, the dog will accompany the victim to court if testimony is required. Duo Dogs monitors the relationship between the person and dog throughout the working relationship. Assistance dogs are provided at no cost to the individual or facility. The Duo Touch Therapy program provides training and certification for volunteers and their personal dogs to visit partner facilities in which the patients or residents can benefit from a visit with a well-trained canine. Paws for Reading teams visit classroom or library settings acting as an incentive for the children to increase time spent reading and improve their reading skills. Duo Response Dogs provide comfort and emotional support in the aftermath of a crisis. All services are provided at no cost to the individual or facilities.
For the year ended June 30, 2023, DUO's program expenses were:
| Assistance Dog Outreach | $983,797 |
| TOUCH Program | $343,509 |
| Outreach Program | $172,753 |
| PAWS for Reading Program | $46,532 |
| Total Program Expenses | $1,546,591 |
Chief Executive
Dawn Van Houten, CEO
Compensation*
$151,571
Chair of the Board
Jason Frei
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Edward Jones
Board Size
14
Paid Staff Size
20
* Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on DUO's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023.
Source of Funds
| General, Grants, and Government Contracts | $1,161,322 |
| Special Events | $549,953 |
| In-Kind Contributions | $174,764 |
| United Way of Greater St. Louis | $142,030 |
| Employee Retention Credit | $140,766 |
| Obedience Revenues | $117,616 |
| Unrealized Gains | $104,872 |
| Other Revenue | $70,532 |
| Program Service Fees | $40,725 |
| Interest and Dividends | $29,390 |
| Realized Losses | $-8,074 |
| Total Income | $2,523,896 |
Programs: 77% Fundraising: 11% Administrative: 6%
| Total Income | $2,523,896 |
| Total expenses: | $2,019,262 |
| Program expenses | $1,546,591 |
| Fundraising expenses | $223,443 |
| Administrative expenses | $121,465 |
| Other expenses | $127,763 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $504,634 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $5,812,435 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $6,317,069 |
| Total Liabilities | $83,413 |
| Total Assets | $6,400,482 |
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB of Eastern & Southwest Missouri & Southern Illinois