THE SERVICE DOG PROGRAM
A progressive journey focused on task-oriented work. Along this journey, you will receive the training and support necessary to become a proficient service dog team.
SD Willa working during Intermediate Service Dog In Training at a craft shop
5 Star Review!
She was thoughtful, clear, and comprehensive. I knew right away that I wanted to continue working with her. I have not only learned so much, but each session is a lot of fun!
- Ella N.
Willa Dean - Service Dog Program
5 Star Review!
Alisha is perhaps the best dog trainer I've ever come into contact with. My lab has been with her since he was 9 weeks old, and even before then, she was assisting me in picking him. He's currently 5mo and an absolute delight. Her methods really work, and she's an overall awesome person. My boy is in her service dog program, and I can't recommend it enough.
- Alex J.
Remi - Service Dog Program
10 Ways Service Dogs are a Valuable Asset to Individuals with Disabilities
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Increased Independence: Service dogs can assist individuals with disabilities in performing daily tasks they may struggle with, such as retrieving objects, opening doors, or providing physical support, thereby promoting greater independence.
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Safety and Security: Service dogs can be trained to detect and respond to medical emergencies, such as seizures or low blood sugar, alert their owners to crucial situations, or allergies providing timely warnings and enabling prompt intervention. ensuring their owners' safety by providing timely assistance.
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Improved Mobility: For individuals with mobility impairments, service dogs can be trained to provide stability and balance, allowing them to navigate their environment more safely and confidently.
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Enhanced Quality of Life: By assisting with daily tasks and ensuring safety, service dogs can significantly improve the overall quality of life for their owners.
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Confidence: Service dogs can boost their owner's confidence by providing a sense of security, assistance, encouraging them to face challenges and engage more actively in life.
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Courage: Through their partnership and support, service dogs can inspire courage in their owners, helping them overcome obstacles and embrace life's challenges with resilience.
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Companionship: Service dogs provide unwavering companionship and a deep emotional bond with their owners, fostering a sense of connection and reducing feelings of isolation.
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Stress Reduction: The presence of a service dog has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels in their owners, leading to improved mental well-being.
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Improved Communication: For individuals with speech or communication challenges, service dogs can assist in conveying their needs and preferences, facilitating better interactions with others.
- Enhanced Focus and Routine: Service dogs help individuals establish and maintain a structured daily routine, which can be particularly beneficial for those with conditions such as autism or PTSD, providing a sense of stability and predictability in their lives.
Service dogs are invaluable companions that provide a wide range of physical, emotional, and practical benefits to individuals with disabilities. Their unwavering dedication, specialized training, and unique abilities empower people to lead more independent, fulfilling lives, promoting not only their well-being but also fostering a deeper sense of connection and inclusion within society. The extraordinary support and assistance that service dogs offer reaffirm their status as remarkable allies, enhancing the lives of those they serve in countless meaningful ways.
Some Things to Consider from an Experienced Handler's Point of View
Dedication to Training: Service dogs require continuous training and education. This includes refreshing their everyday commands and adapting to new tasks as your disability evolves. It's crucial that you take an active role in training your dog, as multiple trainers in the household can confuse them. Be prepared to invest time and effort into your dog's ongoing development.
Cost: Owning a service dog can be costly. You'll need to budget for routine healthcare, high-quality nutrition, appropriate gear, and advanced training. Certain breeds may require extra care, like professional grooming or additional veterinary attention for specific conditions. Consider investing in pet insurance and building an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.
Breed Selection: While any breed can potentially become a service dog, their specific traits matter. Factors such as size, temperament, personality, coat texture (for those with sensory sensitivities), and exercise needs all influence how well you and your service dog will work together. Ensure the breed aligns with your specific requirements, whether it's mobility assistance, scent-based alerts, or other tasks. Don't base your choice solely on appearance or personal nostalgia; it should be a mutual selection process.
Age of Your Dog: The age of your prospective service dog is a critical factor in your decision-making process. Starting with a puppy presents its own set of challenges, while an older dog may have habits that are harder to reshape during training. Adult dogs might also struggle with the transition from being a pet to becoming a service dog.
Task Requirements: Service dogs can perform a wide range of tasks, from providing reminders and fetching items to sensing anxiety attacks and alerting to medical changes. It's essential to identify what specific tasks you need your service dog to perform for you, as this will guide your training and selection process.
Lifestyle Changes: Be prepared for adjustments in your daily life. A service dog will accompany you in various situations, so consider how this will impact your routine, living arrangements, and social interactions. Reflect on the emotional and social benefits and challenges of having a service dog. While they can provide significant support, they may also attract attention and inquiries from others.
Back-Up Plan: Have a contingency plan in case you are temporarily unable to care for or handle your service dog due to illness or other unexpected circumstances.
Support System: Ensure you have a support system in place, including friends, family, or a service dog community, to assist you in caring for your dog and addressing any challenges that may arise
Planning for Retirement or Non-Qualification: Service dogs can have long working lives, but they all eventually retire. Some dogs may not be suited for service work and are better suited as pets, emotional support animals (ESAs), or therapy dogs. It's essential to have a plan in place for your service dog's future, whether they retire or don't meet the necessary criteria for service work.
THE PROGRAM APPLICATION
Disclaimers:
This program is for disabled owner-trainers who want professional and experienced help in task training their service dog and building the confidence for public access. Placing dogs is not provided in this program. Temperament assessments of service dog potentials is offered.
This program is NOT for Emotional Support Dogs or Therapy Dogs. They are not recognized under the American Disability Act. ESAs do not qualify for public access and are not task trained. Therapy Dogs fall under their own certification requirements to visit patients, they also do not have the same public access rights as SD.
This is not a "Service Dog Certification" as there is no certifications in the United States. You will not be asked to register your dog in any data base, those websites are scams!
For more information on Emotional Support Animals and Therapy Dogs rights visit
the Department of Justice website for the ADA.
*IMPORTANT PLEASE READ CAREFULLY*
Not all dogs will make it through Service Dog training. Sadly, it's a risk every handler faces when on this journey. We do our absolute best, as a team, to work towards success, but it cannot be guaranteed. The younger the puppy can start his or her basic education the better success rate will be for SD work, even then handlers are up against genetics and temperament.
Service Dog Training requires a minimum commitment of 18 months of unwavering dedication. The program's effectiveness depends on several factors, including the specific tasks your dog must learn, your dog's age, the time you invest in training between lessons, and the consistency of your dog's task performance. Our program equips teams with the essential tools to become successful Service Dog Teams characterized by precision, confidence, and expertise.
The investment in Service Dog Training is $9,000. Payment arrangements can be made, we strongly suggest fundraising and saving up too specifically for this expense. Service Dogs are some of the most expensive medical equipment not covered by insurance. The total investment costs include:
STANDARD OBEDIENCE - Required for SD Program
Age Requirement: Minimum 12 weeks old
Training Length per Level: 6 weeks, 24 weeks total
Cost per Level: $350, register through the Pet Dog Private Lessons
Level 1: Foundation Obedience
Level 2: Intermediate Obedience
Level 3: Advanced Obedience
Level 4: Off Leash Obedience
INTRO TO SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING
Minimum Age Requirement of Dog: 7 Months
Training Length: 12 weeks
Foundation Task Training - Shaping obedience training skills into task work
Easy Public Access Task Training, simple task work in pet friendly stores
Future Specific Task Training Goal Set
School Logo'd Vest Provided
INTERMEDIATE SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING
Training Length: Minimum 3 Months, 12 weekly lessons
Specific Task Training - Establishing consistent task work
Future Tasking Goals Set
Public Access Training: Intro into Service Dogs Only locations
Canine Good Citizen as a Service Dog in Training - SD Only Store
ADVANCED SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING
Training Length: Minimum 3 Months, 12 weekly lessons
Specific Task Training Continued - Proofing consistent task work
Challenging Public Access Training - with and without other SD Teams
Future Task Training Support, including training touch ups
Certificate of Course Completion
Canine Good Citizen Community and Urban Tests - advanced Public Access
Continued support as wanted after graduation
Program Gear
Teams are equipped with an embroidered "cape" once public access training in non-pet friendly stores has started. We also support OffRoad K9 biothane leashes and collars, handmade in Oregon, and Bold Lead Designs harnesses and other leather gear handmade in Colorado.