Support Dogs, Inc., a non-profit organization founded 30 years that places service dogs to help those with physical disabilities, is planning on building a new headquarters in Maryland Heights.

Support Dogs announced its “Building Opportunities” campaign, a $3.5 million effort designed to raise funds for its new headquarters near the Page Avenue and Lindbergh Boulevard intersection, in January.

The campaign will be completed by August and has already received more than $2 million from a variety of St. Louis-area businesses, corporate leaders and individuals.

Groundbreaking on the new 21,000-square-foot headquarters, located at 10955 Linpage Place, is set for June.

The recently raised $2 million includes $150,000 from U.S. Bank, $100,000 from Ameren and approximately $1.8 million donated by local business and individuals.

“Timing is everything, so this campaign is perfect since we are currently celebrating our 30^thanniversary,” said Bill Dahlkamp, executive director of Support Dogs. “We have outgrown our 8,000-square-foot facility due to expanded services plus our extensive volunteer base of more than 500 people.  Our new home will be built to suit the organization’s specific programs, which serve everyone from the disabled and Deaf, to community veterans and
children.”

Support Dogs began in St. Louis in 1983 when a resident had heard about the organization that began two years earlier in Columbus, OH.

In 1985, the organization's St. Louis location was made the group's headquarters and in 2003, Support Dogs moved to its current location in Maryland Heights, located at 11645 Lilburn Park Rd.