Resource Links & Information
While we endeavor to ensure that the links listed below are accurate, we are unable to guarantee that they are still active or reflect the correct current contact information. If you should come across a link that is no longer valid, please let us know so that we can update the list for greater accuracy. Thank you!
NOTE: THIS PAGE HAS
BEEN UPDATED TO HAVE ONLY INFORMATION PERTAINING TO SERVICE
DOGS. ALL OTHER INFORMATION THAT
WAS PREVIOUSLY ON THIS PAGE HAS
NOW BEEN MOVED TO
SHORE SERVICE DOGS' NEAT STUFF PAGE.
Air Travel with Service Animals
Air travelers who want information about the rights of persons with disabilities in air travel or who experience disability-related air travel service problems may call the Hot line to obtain assistance at: 1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY). Air travelers who want DOT to investigate a complaint about a disability-related issue still must submit their complaint in writing via e-mail at airconsumer@ost.dot.gov or postal mail to: Aviation Consumer Protection Division U.S. Department of Transportation 400 7th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590
Disaster Preparedness Tips for People with Service Animals or Pets
Tips from the American Red Cross for being prepared for disasters for both Service Dogs and their handlers and also pet owners.
www.prepare.org/disabilities/animaltips.htm
Federal Policies on Access for Service Animals
Federal policies for Service Animal access in airlines, housing, and other public places. Also provides information on how to file discrimination complaints.
www.nal.usda.gov/awic/newsletters/v7n2/7n2hende.htm
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Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
Canine Partners for Life
#130 D, R.D. #2
Cochranville, PA 09330
Phone: (610) 869-4902
Web site: www.adionline.org/
Assistance Dogs International, Inc. is a coalition of not for profit organizations that train and place Assistance Dogs. At their website, you'll find a great deal of information about all types of Assistance Animals, training standards for each Assistance type, public access test standards, as well as other useful information.
Delta Society National Service Dog Center
289 Perimeter Rd. East
Renton, WA 98055
Phone: (800) 869-6898
(800) 809-2714 (TTY)
Web site: www.deltasociety.org
Delta is probably the best known of the organizations that promote the study of the human/animal bond. In addition to its publications and annual conference, it hosts a fund-raising dinner to honor and focus public attention on outstanding teams in the assistance dog field and on those involved with therapy animals. It offers an Access Specialist course for those who want to go into business, selling Delta's Videos and kit along with a presentation that will educate businesses about the access rights of customers with service animals. Alert newsletter is published quarterly by the Delta Society.
Information and Advocacy Center
38691 Filly Drive
Sterling Heights, MI 48310
Phone: (586) 826-3938
E-mail: IAADP@aol.com
Web site: www.iaadp.org/
The website has a wealth of information about all topics related to dogs. There are links to legal resources and other topics related to service animals. The Veterinary Care Program provides financial aid to IAADP members whose assistance dogs require high cost veterinary intervention beyond the disabled partner's ability to pay. There is a monthly newsletter, Partner's Forum, which gives up-to-date information on assistance dog-related issues.
Service Animal Registry of America (SARA)
P.O. Box 607
Midlothian, TX 76065
Phone: (206) 333-6861
Website: affluent.net/sara/sara1.htm
Provides certification identification cards for service animals trained by an individual or professional.
Pet Bereavement
It's comforting to remember there are people who care about the loss of your pet. Loss of a pet is no less painful than the loss of a person. Volunteers and counselors have experienced losses of their own little critters and they empathize enough to provide support to others. Our cats, dogs, and others are our full-fledged family members who mean the world to us, because of their unconditional love and good company. They're worth all the early wake-up calls, hairballs and walks in inclement weather! Should you suffer the loss of your pet, remember, you're not alone.
Hotlines
PetFriends, a national, volunteer-staffed, 24-hour hotline: (800) 404-PETS.
Pet Loss Hotline:
University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, staffed by counselors and veterinary students from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. (916) 752-4200.
Stories about Service/Working Dogs
k9hero.com
Read about amazing Service and working/war dogs.
www.k9hero.com/
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Please note that the following information may or may not be correct. If you find that a link, address, or phone number is incorrect please contact us at info@ShoreServiceDogs.com so that we can have the organization information corrected or deleted. Thank you for helping us keep this resource up to date and accurate.
National Assistance Animal Organizations
All Purpose Canines Inc.
P.O. Box 214
Aberdeen, SD 57402-0214
Phone: (605) 225-1131
E-Mail: tufenuf@dtgnet.com
Website: www.allpurposecanines.com
Types of dogs trained: Hearing, Service, Social/Therapy
Provides Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers to children with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) as well as those individuals diagnosed with diabetes, asthma, epilepsy and other seizure disorders. Dogs partnered with those individuals who have been diagnosed with Autism or PDD will assist with social interaction, safety issues & communication
Prior to the team training one or both parents will need to travel to Aberdeen, SD where they will undergo approximately five days of basic instruction on dog behavior. Trainers may deliver the dog and do the team training /certification in and around the child's home, depending on the situation.
You are not required to pay anything for the dog; however, you may be required to conduct fund-raising events to assist with payment. The total amount needed is approximately $8,000, which includes all the equipment and follow-up consultations. No one will be denied services based upon their inability to obtain the needed funding.
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Canine Companions For Independence
P.O. Box 446
Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0446
Phone: (707) 577-1700 (Voice)
(707) 577-1756 (TTY)
Fax: (707) 577-1711
E-Mail: info@caninecompanions.org
Website: www.caninecompanions.org
Types of dogs trained: Hearing, Service, Social/Therapy
This agency has five Regional Training Centers around the country as well as numerous state chapters, comprised of volunteers, graduates and others. The closest training center is located in Farmingdale, New York. Individuals ages fifteen and older are eligible to apply for a service dog, while children 5 and older can apply for a skilled companion dog, which is similar to a service dog. Team trainings are two weeks long and are conducted at the Regional Training Centers. The cost to applicants is approximately $130, which includes an application fee and registration fee for team training, but not lodging and related expenses. The team training fee is reimbursed in food and supplies upon completion of training. There is regular support for graduates as well as follow-ups scheduled.
Dogs For The Deaf, Inc.
10175 Wheeler Road
Central Point, OR 97502
Phone: (541) 826-9220 V/TDD
Fax: (541) 826-6696
E-Mail: info@dogsforthedeaf.org
Website: www.dogsforthedeaf.org/
Types of dogs trained: Hearing
Dogs for this program are selected from animal shelters and are usually mixed breeds no more than two years old. Each dog is evaluated for the appropriate temperament, intelligence and healthcare characteristics. The waiting period is usually one year from acceptance of an application. Training is done in the home, where the trainer spends two to five days working with a team. Recipients are required to regularly report on their progress. Support is provided by the agency, and in-home follow-ups are done on a regular basis.
Great Plains Assistance Dogs Foundation
920 Short St.
P.O. Box 513
Jud, ND 58454-0513
Phone: (701) 685-2242
Fax: (701) 685-2290
E-Mail: gpadf@daktel.com
Website: www.greatplainsdogs.com/
Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy, Seizure Alert/Response
This organization trains a variety of service dogs. Eligibility requirements include a minimum age requirement of 8 years old. The waiting period for a dog can be anywhere from a year to a year and a half from the time that an application is accepted. The first step in the process is to complete a pre-application form. Facilities include two student apartments for individuals who may not live in the area.
Guide Horse Foundation
P.O. Box 511
Kittrell, NC 27544
Phone: (252) 433-4755
Email: info@guidehorse.com
Website: www.guidehorse.com
The application process includes a two-step application, an on-site interview, and final acceptance, when all the resources become available. The Guide Horse Foundation covers the costs of the on-site interview, transportation of the student to the Guide Horse Foundation for three weeks of on-site training, costs of transporting the student and their guide back to their home, and costs of transporting the trainer to the student's home for final training. The agency maintains legal ownership of the horse.
Helping Hands-Monkey Helpers for the Disabled
541 Cambridge St.
Boston, MA 02134
Phone: (617) 787-4419
Website: www.helpinghandsmonkeys.org
Once a match is made, the monkey is custom trained to assist a particular individual (e.g., computer work, repositioning a hand or foot after a muscle spasm, scratching an itch). A placement trainer accompanies the monkey to the recipient's home and works with him/her during their first week together. The individual is also trained in task behaviors and monkey care. This adjustment period can take anywhere from one to six months. Ownership of the monkey is then transferred to the recipient. Helping Hands continues to provide lifetime behavioral and veterinary support for all the monkeys in the program. Helping Hands provides its monkeys and lifetime support services at no charge to graduates.
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Kansas Specialty Dog Service
124 W. 7th
P.O. Box 216
Washington, KS 66968
Phone: (785) 325-2256
Fax: (785) 325-2258
E-Mail: ksds@washingtonks.net
Website: www.ksds.org/
Types of dogs trained: Service, Guide
Loving Paws Assistance Dogs
P.O. Box 12005
Santa Rosa, CA 95406
Phone: (707) 586-0798
Fax: (707) 586-0799
E-Mail: info@lovingpaws.org
Website: www.lovingpaws.com/
Types of dogs trained: Service, Social
Loving Paws provides Service and Social Dogs for children with Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida and other disabilities. Individuals interested in applying must write or email the organization for an application. Children ages 7 and older are eligible for Social Dogs. In addition, Social Dogs are sometimes placed with therapists and other healthcare professionals to facilitate therapeutic activities. Children ages 12 and older are eligible for Service Dogs. Training includes a two to three week class, which children must attend with at least one parent. Following the training, there is a six-month trial period, after which ownership is given to the graduate. Support services are provided and regular follow-up visits are scheduled after the trial period.
N. E. A. D. S.
P.O. Box 213
West Boylston, MA 01583
Phone: (978) 422-9064 V/TDD
Fax: (978) 422-3255
E-Mail: info@neads.org
Website: www.neads.org/
Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy
N.E.A.D.S goal is to provide "the highest quality of trained dogs to all qualified applicants within a reasonable amount of time (one year or less)." In addition to providing Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy Dogs to both adults and children with disabilities, N.E.A.D.S provides dogs that have been released from their program to individuals without disabilities. Often times, dogs in this latter situation have completed only a portion of the training program. Recipients are required to pay $500 for an assistance dog. This covers both the costs of the dog as well as special equipment, supplies, and toys. Payment may be made in full or installments anytime before graduation. A post graduation payment plan can be arranged if necessary.
Paws With A Cause
4646 South Division
Wayland, MI 49348
Phone: (616) 877-7297
(800)-253-7297
(616) 877-7297 (TTY)
Fax: (616) 877-0248
E-Mail: paws@ionline.com
Website: www.pawswithacause.org/
Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Seizure Response
PAWS trains hearing dogs only for individuals 18 years of age and older, and service dogs only for those 14 years of age and older. Clients pay no fee to apply for or receive their Assistance Dog Partner. It is PAWS policy not to place an Assistance Dog in a home with another dog under the age of 10 years. The agency believes that a young dog in the home can interfere with the bonding and training process of the Assistance Dog team.
Spoke N Paws
110 Copperwood Way Suite C
Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: (760) 754-0818
(888) 641-8333
Fax: (760) 754-0815
E-Mail: Mbernhardt@spokenpaws.org
Website: www.spokenpaws.org
Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy
Spoke N Paws trains service dogs, hearing dogs and social/therapy dogs for any person with a disability. Puppy raisers care for the dogs for up to two years, where they monitor their temperament, and assist in basic obedience training. Once a dog is matched with a recipient, trainers work with the team, in their home, for one week. Although puppies are obtained from a variety of places, the organization mainly uses dogs from animal shelters.
Sterling Service Dogs
5440 Brookdale
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Phone: (586) 977-9716
Fax: (586) 977-0079
E-Mail: sterlingcf@aol.com
Website: www.sterlingservicedogs.org
Types of dogs trained: Service, Social/Therapy
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Regional/Local Assistance Animal Agencies
Canine Companions for Independence
Northeast Regional Training Center
P.O. Box 205
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Phone: (800) 572-BARK (2275)
E-mail: jdiamond@caninecompanions.org
Website: www.caninecompanions.org
This agency has five Regional Training Centers around the country as well as numerous state chapters, comprised of volunteers, graduates and others. The closest training center is located in Farmingdale, New York. Individuals ages 15 and older are eligible to apply for a service dog, while children 5 and older can apply for a skilled companion dog, which is similar to a service dog. Team trainings are two weeks long and are conducted at the Regional Training Centers. The cost to applicants is approximately $130, which includes an application fee and registration fee for team training, but not lodging and related expenses. The team training fee is reimbursed in food and supplies upon completion of training. There is regular support for graduates as well as follow-ups scheduled.
Fidos For Freedom, Inc.
P.O. Box 5508
Laurel, MD 20726
Phone Voice: (410) 880-4178
Phone TTY: (301) 570-7570
Fax: (301) 490-9061
Website: www.fidosforfreedom.org/
Types of dogs trained: Hearing, Service, Social/Therapy
This organization provides service and hearing dogs for people living in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan community.
Dogs With a Mission
P.O. Box 40266
Washington, DC 20016-0266
Phone: (202) 363-1190
Fax: (202) 363-6595
E-Mail: info@dogmission.com
Website: www.dogmission.com/
Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing
Areas Served: DC, VA, MD, PA
This organization provides service and hearing dogs to individuals in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The organization mainly uses Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers and herding breeds. Dogs With a Mission strives to include people with disabilities on their training staff.
Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation
P.O. Box 8060
Roanoke, VA 24014
Phone: (540) 342-3647
Fax: (540) 324-0906
E-Mail: sfoadogs@aol.com
Website: www.saintfrancisdogs.org/
Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy
Area Served: VA
Puppies are obtained from "reputable breeders of Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and Australian Shepherds." Most of the costs of the service dogs are covered by the Foundation. Recipients are responsible for paying a total of $225, which covers an application fee, backpack and other equipment as well as future veterinary care chosen by the recipient. Ownership is transferred after extensive training and a successful three-week bonding period. A follow-up visit is scheduled within six months and teams must be re-certified every two years.
Service Dogs of Virginia, Inc.
4783 Turkey Sag Road
Keswick, VA 22947
Phone: (434) 975-3770
E-Mail: plaw@cstone.net
Website: http://www.servicedogsva.org/
Types of dogs trained: Service
Area Served: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, VA
This agency serves any disability that requires the use of a wheelchair full or part-time, or that involves balance or motor coordination. They are particularly interested in serving the needs of children who are old enough to manage a dog independently, or who can manage a dog with limited help from an adult.
Virginia Canines for Independence
P.O. Box 11441
Richmond, VA 23230
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