We currently have two service dog tracks:
1. Training service dogs for qualified clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), mobility and balance challenges, post-traumatic stress (PTS)
TBI, Mobility, PST, SERVICE DOG Tasks:
- Interrupt night terrors and sleeping problems
- Initiate interaction to redirect when handlers are fearful or depressed
- Manage personal space in public areas
- Provide medication (and other) reminders
- Retrieve dropped items
- Help with balance and mobility
- Improve confidence through enhanced self-sufficiency
- Improve self-esteem and confidence for a more fulfilling, happier life
- Allow clients to live a more independent lifestyle
- The benefits don’t stop there!
2. Training service dogs for persons on the Autism Spectrum
AUTISM DOGS Tasks:
- Keep the person with autism calm when away from home
- Help those with sleeping problems
- Encourage verbal and tactical skills,
- Help reduce wandering
- Serve as an unconditional companion
- And more!
Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, a few German Shepherds, and mixed breed dogs are used in our training program. The dogs we provide come from a number of sources, including breeders, families who donate their qualified dogs when they can no longer keep them, and – on occasion – shelters.
Most of our dogs begin training between 8 weeks and 10 months of age with our volunteer Service Dog Candidate Program. In this program volunteers teach the dogs good house manners, socialize the dogs to the community environment, and teach the dogs basic obedience and some foundational skills for future tasks the dogs will need to perform. In all, training takes 9 months to 18 months, depending on the age the dog begins training and the tasks needed by their new handler. All dogs are spayed or neutered.
Submission of a completed Service Dog Application and a letter from your medical provider initiates possible participation in our programs.
Our current waiting time is 1 ½ to 2 years.
Our goal is to place 7-10 trained service dog teams yearly. Additional teams are trained through our Owner Trained Service Dog Program.