Service Dogs

What is a Service Dog?

A service dog is trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability.

Example of service dog tasks

A person who uses a wheelchair may have a dog that is trained to retrieve objects for them.

A person with depression may have a dog that is trained to perform a task to remind them to take their medication.

A person with PTSD may have a dog that is trained to lick their hand to alert them to an oncoming panic attack.

A person who has epilepsy may have a dog that is trained to detect the onset of a seizure and then help the person remain safe during the seizure. and psychology to help dogs learn and thrive.

service dog process

1. Pre-Application

If you contact us about wanting a service dog, we will ask you to fill out our pre-application. Once we receive that we will go over it and determine if we will move forward in the process.

2. Interview

If our team believes that you could benefit from a service dog based off of your application, we will ask for an interview with the person that is wanting the service dog. If it is a child, the parents/guardians should be present. This interview will help us gauge if you or child will be a good fit for a service dog. This will be done in the home.

3. Application

This application will be for people that the team has agreed to move forward with the process with the applicant. The application is more in-depth and will give the trainers more information on what service the dog will provide, health issues, and much more. Once that is completed and turned in we will move onto the next process.

4. Dog Selection

While some people will want to have their own personal pet as their service dog, the likely hood of that happening is slim. We can tell right off the bat after meeting the dog if they will work or not. We will test them on different levels and if they do not meet all of them, they will not be suggested. So the team will see which dog breed you have selected from the application and work on finding the right puppy based on levels of testing.

5. Training

This process can take at least one full year before you could receive your dog. The training process is done with the trainer in their home and it is their responsibility to train the puppy in basic obedience and beyond. The trainer may have you meet the dog if they feel it would be beneficial. Once the dog is at a certain stage, the tasks the dog will perform the potential owner will start.

6. Delivery

When the trainer feels the dog trained to be able to be delivered to the client, they will go through a process at drop off. The trainer will not leave until they feel the transition will be okay. Disclaimer: you can go through the whole process and the handler can deem it unfit and you won't be granted the dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@standsalonecanine.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

How do I know if I qualify for a service dog?

The best way to know if you qualify for a service dog is to fill out the application from above. Once that is received we will look over it and review the contents to see if you qualify to move forward in our process. Not everyone will be approved and we reserve the right to service.

Can I use my own dog for a service dog?

You can have your family dog tested with the trainer to see if they meet the criteria for a service dog. If not, we will work with you to find a dog, preferably a puppy for a service dog if approved.

How long does it take to train a service dog?

The service dog process takes at least one full year to be able to complete the tasks it is trained for. After working with the dog and the owner the timing just depends on how well the owner does with the tasks the dog is given. While the dog would be trained and would stay with us to learn the tasks, the owner is responsible for using the dog correctly and what it is trained for specifically.

I can't afford the service dog financially, what can I do?

We know that a service dog is not cheap but we will work with the family to fund-raise, bring awareness, and do whatever we can to help raise money to financially ease the burden of a service dog purchase.

Where does the dog stay?

The dog would stay with us at the Stands Alone Canine handler in charge of the case and the owner would schedule visits to work on tasks with the dog and bond with them. You would not be able to just drop by anytime, you and the trainer would be in contact about dates and times to come visit.