The Dandy Dawgs Service Dog Program

Dandy Dawgs Service Dog Program (DDSDP) requires all dogs to go through the Basics to the Streets and Advanced Class prior to entry into the Service Dog Program -- OR be thoroughly cleared on each program’s agendas.

A major note of importance is that all dogs must demonstrate a high tolerance for social and unexpected diversity. The priority need for any service dog is to be of a temperament to comfortably accept the stress of varied public distractions.

Though the public is not to pet or otherwise distract a working service dog from his handler, they often do.

A DDSDP Service Dog needs to comfortably show acceptance and relaxed tolerance of such distractions such as:

• children or adults approaching unexpectedly or inappropriately
  
• being petted abruptly or unsolicited
  
• bumped or addressed by strangers
  
• sudden or loud noises in near proximity
  
• wheel chairs, grocery carts, strollers, skate boards, bicycles, etc.
  
• passing dogs
  
• street traffic and noise from vehicle backfire, trucks, motorcycles, etc.
  
• ignore dropped food or unsolicited play (such as children playing with a ball or eating ice-cream)
  

A service dog must also demonstrate excellent obedience skills:

• walk at their handler’s side without pulling, resisting or otherwise showing distraction
  
• offering basic commands of sit, down, stay, come, leave it, watch, wait, etc. quickly upon request
  
• allow for grooming: teeth cleaning, bathing, brushing, clipping nails
  
• lay calmly under a table or close beside their handler, ignoring food, waiters and general public while dining in a restaurant
  
• avoid shaking off in public unless asked
  
• comfortably accept the distractions of public transportation - riding on the floor of a taxi, bus or train
  
• comfortably accepting the noise and activity around such stations - easily entering and lying beside, in front of, or under seat of their handler on the floor of an airplane
  
• comfortably accepting the noise and activity of an airport
  
• comfortably accepting the noise and sudden drops at baggage claims
  
• DDSDP requires the dog demonstrate a minimum of three to five task related skills which aid the disability of their handler. The dog must perform the tasks in diversified environments.
  

A service dog handler must demonstrate care and ease in managing their dog:

• noticing when dog is uncomfortable needing to urinate or defecate and know how to handle those situations
  
• recognizing when the dog may need a break from the activity and provide a quiet rest area
  
• maintain a calm manner when handling the dog - keeping voice low, no abrupt corrections
  
• maintain health care of their service dog - regularly clean teeth, bathe and brush, clip nails, healthy food
  
• maintain a healthy weight
  
• regular vet care and vaccines or titers
  
• carry supplies required for dog’s needs - water, bowl, paper towels, poo bags, cleaning agent, booties if needed by weather (or of the like)

SECTION 1: Pre Service Dog Program

Dogs and handlers must demonstrate the skills required to pass a therapy dog team evaluation.

The Pre-Service Dog Program involves learning basic obedience and social adaptability skills. Before a Service Dog Team may officially enter Dandy Dawgs Service Dog Program as a Service Dog In-Training the dog must undergo an additional temperament and obedience valuation by Andy Lloyd to be accepted. There is no fee for that evaluation. Dandy Dawgs Basics to the Streets and Advanced Program may be required.

SECTION 2: Entry into Dandy Dawgs Service Dog Program (DDSDP)

Upon entering this phase of training, the dog is considered a Service/Assistance Dog In-Training and is honored by ADA law with the privileges of an active service dog as per the state of Arizona and other states that give Service Dogs In-Training like privileges.

A payment is due for entry into the program. With that fee the team receives:

• A DDSDP vest with In-Training patch and either Service/Assist, Medical Alert, Balance/Assist or
  
• appropriate patches on the vest
  
• ID cards for dog and handler
  
• Lanyard
  
• Manual
  
• Commitment of DDSDP support for the life of the team entering the program.
  
• The liability release and contract are signed.
  
• The DD Advanced Level II class is included in the membership
  
• Quarterly meetings and monthly training per continuation of membership.
  

Upon graduation a fee is due annually.

If at any time you choose to drop out of the Dandy Dawgs Service Dog Program you will be required to return the vests, IDs, and all relative items identifying DDSDP as per the contract.

All received funds are non-refundable.

You will be asked to present a letter from your doctor stating that you have a medical condition that meets ADA requirements of a disability or present your medical diagnosis from your physician.

SECTION 3: Training of Service Dog and Handler

This section consists of a minimum of 15 outings which may be several visits to similar locations that meet the requirement of an outing. A fee which teams may pay in no more than 4 payments; all of which must be cleared before graduation (each team must clear each outing). Outings will consist of visits to department stores, grocery stores, various restaurants, various stores, public transportation, airport, hotels, traffic, doctor, dentist, outdoor events, etc., multiple times.

After the third time of not clearing an outing there will be an additional fee of per outing session.

DDSDP offers monthly training sessions which include outings and some extra training for basic tasks or outings at no additional cost. These sessions may be held at DDSDP training pad or elsewhere.

Workshops are available for specific tasks such as: retrieval of keys, phone, water, turning on/off light switches, pulling a wheel chair, opening or closing doors, clearing a house, hearing alert tasks, disruption tasks, and more. Depending on the extent of training an additional fee may be required for some workshops.

Each workshop may be up to four sessions at a fee depending on the workshop. DDSDP offers other workshops on health, laws, traveling, etc. Most of this may be covered in meetings. Canine Health Care requires an 8-hour workshop fee (passing of Yavapai College Intro to Canine Health Care meets this requirement).

Fees are required as The Team progresses through the program.

Once the entry fee is met, weekly private sessions may be offered at a fee per session depending on the level of training. Individual programs may be designed as needed.

Graduates are expected to submit dues annually each June to maintain status in the program. Dues cover all monthly sessions and extra sessions if offered but not workshops. All teams MUST attend a training program no less than two times per year and no less than one meeting per year to maintain their status in the program.

Teams must clear all outings and pass a Public Access Test Evaluation (PAT) as outlined by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) prior to graduation which includes a precise demonstration of no less than three tasks. A basic quiz on Canine Health Care and ADA Laws also needs to be passed prior to graduation. All teams will be required to demonstrate the high-level handling skills and tasks per DDSDP requirements as well.

Note: each team handler must have a disability allowed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to become a graduated team.

Dogs and handlers advance toward specific skills required for the disability they will be assisting while demonstrating a high level of tolerance of the public exposure required of a service dog. Public exposure consists of: public transportation, air travel, restaurants, stores, traffic, elevators, hotels, many other skills and environments relative to well-adjusted adaptation to the public.

Dogs and handlers will be required to demonstrate that air travel has been appropriately and successfully completed or simulated. Other forms of public transportation must be demonstrated. Dogs must demonstrate their ability to present tasks and basic behaviors in high distraction environments and anywhere requested.

GRADUATION:

Upon graduation a Dandy Dawgs Service Dog Program Certificate of Registration will be presented to each team. New Service Dog IDs will be given and the In-Training patch on vests may be removed.

Dandy Dawgs Service Dog Program members who have moved from the area are required to check in no less than one time each year for a review of dog and handler skills.

Emotional Support Dogs (ESD) are required to demonstrate similar skills without task performance associated with a disability and must also check in for a review once a year.

An ESD is not allowed public access other than air travel and public transportation. Due to their acceptance in public transportation and air travel, both dog and handler must demonstrate competency in these things as well as obedience behavior and handling skills. They are granted specific rights under the Fair Housing Act.

All logoed vests and IDs are property of DDSDP and must be returned if membership is not maintained or the logo must be removed.

You may legally be asked:

1. Is this a service dog required for your disability?

2. What task has the dog been trained to perform for your disability?

You must clearly define the tasks your dog performs without need to disclose your disability.

Understand, you can be fined if you are not within the ADA law regarding these questions.

Please note that you are training your own Service Dog with expert assistance at a fee under what is normally required for Service Dog self-training AND much lower than you would be required to pay for a pre-trained Service Dog.

THANK YOU!