Canine Companions opens its 16-acre New Albany campus to the public Sunday, Sept. 20, for DogFest, the nonprofit's largest fundraiser of the year.

The free event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Central Training Center, 7480 New Albany Condit Road. Attendees can watch service dog demonstrations, browse local vendors, grab food from on-site trucks and bring kids to activity stations, NBC4 reported. Families and leashed dogs are welcome.

Last year's DogFest raised more than $700,000 for the organization, according to Hoodline. The money helps Canine Companions cover the cost of breeding, raising, training and matching service dogs with people who need them.

Each finished dog is valued at more than $50,000. Recipients pay nothing.

Founded in 1975, Canine Companions breeds Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers. Volunteer puppy raisers socialize the dogs for 18 months before professional trainers take over, teaching each animal 45 specific commands. The trained dogs can retrieve dropped items, open doors and turn on lights, according to the New Albany Business Association.

The New Albany center serves clients across a 14-state region, yet the need far outstrips the supply. New Albany Mayor Sloan T. Spalding noted the gap in a 2025 proclamation declaring September as National Service Dog Month: roughly 70 million U.S. adults have a disability, while only about 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs exist nationwide.

The nonprofit relies entirely on donations, grants and volunteers to keep its dogs free for recipients, according to the New Albany Business Association.

Live music rounds out the afternoon lineup. DogFest North Central is the organization's signature public event and the one day each year neighbors can walk the training grounds, meet the dogs and see the program up close.

Upcoming community events

• Sunday, Sept. 20 — DogFest North Central, 1–4 p.m., 7480 New Albany Condit Road, New Albany. Free admission.