I am a Service Dog Coach (SDC) certified through Cooperative Paws Service Dog Coach™ program and I offer coaching and training support to owner-trainers with their Service Dog in Training (SDiT) or Service Dog candidate. My specialty includes training for mobility assistance dog and psychiatric service dog.
Service dogs are defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are dogs that are specifically trained to help people with disabilities. I help people with disabilities train their own dog to assist them as a service dog.
Learn more on Service Animal and ADA.
Learn more on Service Animals in CA state laws.
Requirements for the Human
+ 18 years old and older.
+ Able to attend training lessons for 1.5 years or longer.
+ Able to commit daily time to practicing with your dog between appointments.
+ Have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
+ Aware that you may end up with a dog that can only help at home or in places pets are allowed. Up to 50% of service dog candidates in programs are not able to complete training and work in places pets are not permitted.
+ Willing to wait until I evaluate your dog’s suitability and help you train your dog foundation skills before putting service dog identification on your dog and before taking your dog to places pets are not permitted.
+ Have support from your licensed healthcare provider for use of a service dog.
Requirements for the Dog
+ No history of aggression towards dogs, people or other animals.
+ No history of any serious behavior problems like fear or separation anxiety.
+ Easily trained. A breed or mix likely to have characteristics suitable for service work such as Labradors, Golden retrievers, Collies or Standard Poodles. Each dog is assessed as an individual but some breeds are more likely to exhibit characteristics suitable for service work than others.
+ Under 4 years old ideally, physically healthy.
Our Process
Step 1 We begin with a 60-minute session via phone, Zoom or Google Meet where we discuss your needs, identify tasks that would be helpful to train, review your dog’s behavioral history, educate you on reputable service dog informational resources and give you some training recommendations.
Step 2 We conduct a 30-minute in-person evaluation of your dog. This is where we look at how your dog responds to some minor stressors and in a new situation to see if it is appropriate to begin training him or her for service work.
Step 3 We start training for service work if your dog is suitable. This process usually takes 1 – 2 years but can take longer. Process includes group classes, day training or private training.
Step 4 Follow up support. Ongoing brush up training throughout your service dog’s working career.
Contact us now to learn more and schedule your first session!