SERVICE DOG PROGRAM

     Service Dogs assist hearing impaired and physically disabled individuals by accomplishing multiple tasks.  For the hearing impaired, this is achieved by training the dog to notify the recipient of a phone ringing, door bell, smoke alarm, and how to lead the recipient to an exit.  The dog would also make a recipient aware of car horns and traffic sounds the individual might not hear.  For the physically disabled, the dog retrieves dropped objects, accesses light switches, pulls wheel chairs, opens and closes doors, and performs many other tasks specific to the needs of the individual and providing social support.

    Service Dog training begins with a puppy raising with the fostering by volunteers of a puppy of approximately eight weeks, and continues for about 12 months with mandatory obedience classes, public exposure, and lots of socialization.

     Advanced training is an intensive program at our facility for about eight months which teaches the dog necessary commands and proper public etiquette by a professional trainer.  At the end of the period, the dogs are evaluated for performance and temperament, and then placed with an appropriate recipent.  The recipient and the dog then train together.  This team training is important to ensure a quality working relationship that will provide increased independence to the disabled person

     After the recipient recieves their dog, the professional trainer will do follow up periodic visits to the home of the recipient to ensure the dogs health, progress, and to maintain training.

    Sable (Service Demonstration Dog) at our facility taking a rest,
and overlooking the training program