Is an Assistance Dog Right for You?
Do you need an assistance dog?PADS raises and trains highly skilled assistance dogs. They perform physical tasks such as:
- Retrieving cordless phones
- Activating adaptive switches
- Aiding in dressing
- Carrying items
- Picking up dropped items
- Opening and closing doors
- Pulling a wheelchair
- Assisting clients up from a fall
- Help in climbing stairs
- Providing balance for walking
- Alert to sounds such as a doorbell, timer, dropped keys or name call (Hearing Dog)
- Provide visual clues to sounds in the environment (Hearing Dog)
- Assist with the emotional or physical care of individuals in a long term care facility, group home or therapeutic setting. (Facility Therapy Dog)
PADS does not train or place seizure/diabetic response dogs, psychological support dogs or guide dogs (for the blind). For a list of accredited assistance dog schools and the types of dogs they train please go to: www.assistancedogsinternational.org
Do you meet the minimum requirements?
- Are you physically disabled (service dogs), Deaf/hard of hearing (hearing dogs), or do you work in a therapeutic setting (facility therapy dogs)?
- Are you a resident of BC, Alberta, Manitoba or Saskatchewan?
- If your disability was caused by an injury are you at least one year post-trauma?
- To be placed with a service dog you must be at least 16 years old or for a hearing dog at least 18 years old (or living independently). If you are under these ages you may apply, but a dog will not be placed until after required age is met.
Often the remarkable skills of an assistance dog overshadow the incredible commitment and dedication of the client they were partnered with. Unlike a human assistant or mechanical assistive device, the effectiveness of an assistance dog depends greatly on the client: a willingness to be firm, full of praise and consistent is essential. An assistance dog cannot be "turned off" and tucked away when not needed. They require daily care, training, exercise and affection.
They will sometimes have an off day, get sick or even get lazy if they aren't motivated to work. We've found that the more committed the human is to the team the more the dog will give in return. Like most humans, each dog has their own distinct personality and little quirks - we put a great deal of effort into matching you with the right dog for your personality and abilities.
Do you realize that this dog will change your life?
Dogs are amazing icebreakers and with an assistance dog you will meet wonderful people (your dog will become "the popular kid" everywhere you go!). It will likely mean that you will make new friends, find smiles around every corner but also that you'll have to learn to politely refuse people's requests to pet your dog, and some days you'll wish you could fade into the crowd. One client told us that before her dog she felt invisible, yet with her dog she felt like it was her disability that was invisible.
All dogs are a long term financial, physical and emotional commitment and an assistance dog is even more so. An assistance dog ready for a placement will have spent nearly two years being prepared for the day it will meet its human partner. The client in contrast will spend only two weeks in a team training class (usually at the PADS campus in Burnaby) where they will learn everything the dog knows as well as how to handle and care for their canine partner. For those that are willing to commit to the process long term, the rewards are limitless
Can you afford to care for a dog?
You will be responsible for the ongoing care and upkeep of the dog. This includes (but isn't limited to) food, treats/toys and veterinary care.
PADS retains ownership of its dogs and our training staff is available to you at no cost throughout the dog's working life. The $30,000+ it costs to raise and train an assistance dog is funded through the support of our generous donors and PADS' ongoing fundraising efforts. The only costs clients pay to PADS is a modest application fee + a course fee when they attend team training.
If you're ready to learn more - go to 10 steps to independence.