Service Dog
Skills Program

The class helps a handler train a dog to become a mobility service dog.

We work on the skills that the handler needs to train the dog so that the dog's behaviors may mitigate the handler's disability. In other words, assist with physical support, balance, stability, retrieves, deep pressure therapy, help getting up, etc for handlers with mobility disabilities.

We discuss and practice public access, and other issues pertaining to service dogs, and we also do field trips to local stores and restaurants to practice public access.

The class follows the standards set forth by Assistance Dogs International for handlers and dogs.

The class does not prepare students to train for medical alerts, hearing, emotional support, therapy, or guide dogs for the blind.

The class covers Federal and State laws pertaining to service dogs, public education, general and specific service dog tasks, as well as public outings.

Prerequisites

1. The handler must have a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) , and

2. that disability must be verified by a letter from a physician. That includes veterans with PTSD.

3. The dog must be of an appropriate size and temperament to assist with physical support, balance, and stability for handlers with mobility disability.

4. The dog must have taken the Basic Obedience and Advanced Basic Obedience classes, or show proficiency in obedience, and

5. must show no aggression toward other dogs, animals, or people.

6. The dog must be of an appropriate age for service dog training, generally between one (1) and three (3) years old, as this age range is best suited for the physical, mental, and behavioral demands of training and public access work.

7. Final approval for participation in this class rests solely with the Service Dog Instructor, who reserves the right to determine whether a handler and dog are suitable for the program.

Goals

The purpose of this class is to provide the core principles that handlers and dogs need to assist the disabled handler with a mobility disability.

We teach the handler how to train the dog for the tasks and jobs that the dog will need to mitigate the handler's disability.

The skills that we teach include retrieving, carry and deposit, tugs to open doors and cabinets, nose and paw nudges, and bracing with and without a harness.