Training with a Service Dog
Making the decision to work with a service dog is a transformational event that extends into every area of a handler's life. Because of this momentous change, it’s crucial that each of our students is teamed with a dog that best suits that person’s mobility, personality, lifestyle, and physical needs. As each applicant is accepted to our program, we carefully match them with a dog that’s right for them, and the power of their bond makes ordinary moments extraordinary.
As you work through our application process, you’ll be providing us with the key information that will determine your ultimate success. With a clear understanding of your goals and objectives, we’ll be able to craft a program that you’ll be excited to participate in since it relates to your specific needs.
Attending Class
Once accepted into the program to train with a service dog, you will be invited to attend the two-week in-residence training program held at our campus in Smithtown, New York. With a 2:1 student/instructor ratio, each student receives individualized training relevant to their home environment and lifestyle.
Primary Training
This process begins when the dogs are puppies, as part of our prison puppy training program. Inmate handlers begin working with puppies on housebreaking, obedience, standardized commands, and teaching the four foundations of service dog tasks: retrieve, tug, push, and brace – all part of the VetDogs training curriculum. Volunteer weekend puppy raisers take the puppies on the weekends to socialize them in many different situations so they will be comfortable in a variety of settings: stores, restaurants, public transportation, sporting events, concerts, etc. When the dog is approximately 14 months old, it returns to the Foundation so it can move ahead with its advanced training.
Advanced Training
Once the VetDogs service dog training team understands the needs of an applicant (several months prior to the student attending class), they will build upon the foundation task and work on advanced tasks that will specifically help mitigate each student’s particular disability. Opening and closing doors, retrieving a variety of items, turning on and off lights, and providing balance and stability are just some of the advanced tasks each dog can be trained to do.
On-class Training
During the first week of class, students are introduced to basic commands and the four foundations of service dog tasks in preparation for receiving their new service dog. On day two, they get acquainted with equipment and handling techniques and then are introduced to their dog. For the remainder of the week, they work on the fundamentals of communicating and working with their new partner in various environments both on campus and in other training environments. Training also includes basic obedience, discussions on dog care, etiquette and more.
As the class carries over into week two, students will gain confidence in working with their dog; have a clear understanding of the tasks their dog was trained for, and how to motivate them for optimal performance. Students will also learn how to work with their dogs in various settings that include country walks; mass transit situations, including train platforms, subway, or bus travel; outings to malls and other stores; and other types of real-world situations.
Prior to the completion of class, each new handler and dog team will have to pass the Assistance Dog International Public Access Test. The test is to determine if the dog is safe to be in public and that the handler demonstrates that he/she has control of the dog at all times.
Program Completion
Upon completion of training, the newly created human and service dog team will return home to start their new life together. They will have begun to master all of the techniques they need to be successful—from retrieving a dropped wallet or phone, to alerting their handler for nightmare interruption, to being comfortable in new and different situations. The veteran can feel confident and independent with a new companion by their side. Should a graduate require follow-up training, our staff will arrange to work with them on any questions or concerns they might have in a prompt and professional manner, which may include additional follow-up visits to their home to work on specific tasks or dog behavior. Each new handler will be required to have their dog recertified one year after program completion, then every two years.