Application Process
Should you be interested in acquiring a service dog from Dogs for Life, the following is a typical process:
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An interested client completes the application form.
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Initial characterization of the client and his/her requirements by a multidisciplinary team. Factors that are considered include the general health, physical condition, age, communication ability and lifestyle of the client.
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An interview with the family may be conducted for clients who are cognitively impaired, to determine the families expectations of acquiring a service dog, how having a service dog might affect other family members and if there are any lifestyle or health factors that would determine the suitability of breed of dog.
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Exposure of the client to a number of dogs to assess his/her fitness level, limitations and how he/she relates to dogs.A contract is signed and a suitable dog identified for the client family. Dogs may be sourced as puppies or from dogs currently in training.
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An individualised training program is designed for the dog, in consultation with psychological and medical personnel to ensure that the dog meets the client’s needs.
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Training the dog (general behaviour, basic training, advanced training)
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Training the client to utilise the dog effectively after initial training is complete.
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As it takes time to train a replacement dog, an application for a replacement service dog should be placed as soon as retirement is considered for an existing dog. I'm a paragraph. ​
