Service dogs are valuable working canines who provide a wide range of physical, emotional, and practical benefits to individuals with disabilities. Their unwavering dedication, specialized training, and unique abilities empower people to lead more independent, fulfilling lives, promoting not only their well-being but also fostering a deeper sense of connection and inclusion within society. 

1. Increased Independence: Service dogs can assist individuals with disabilities in performing daily tasks they may struggle with, such as retrieving objects, opening doors, or providing physical support, thereby promoting greater independence.

2. Safety and Security: Service dogs can be trained to detect and respond to medical emergencies, such as seizures or low blood sugar, alert their owners to crucial situations, or allergies providing timely warnings and enabling prompt intervention. ensuring their owners' safety by providing timely assistance. 

3. Improved Mobility: For individuals with mobility impairments, service dogs can be trained to provide stability and balance, allowing them to navigate their environment more safely and confidently.

4. Enhanced Quality of Life: By assisting with daily tasks and ensuring safety, service dogs can significantly improve the overall quality of life for their owners.

5. Confidence: Service dogs can boost their owner's confidence by providing a sense of security, assistance, encouraging them to face challenges and engage more actively in life.

6. Courage: Through their partnership and support, service dogs can inspire courage in their owners, helping them overcome obstacles and embrace life's challenges with resilience.

7. Companionship: Service dogs provide unwavering companionship and a deep emotional bond with their owners, fostering a sense of connection and reducing feelings of isolation.

8. Stress Reduction: The presence of a service dog has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels in their owners, leading to improved mental well-being.

9. Improved Communication: For individuals with speech or communication challenges, service dogs can assist in conveying their needs and preferences, facilitating better interactions with others.

10. Enhanced Focus and Routine: Service dogs help individuals establish and maintain a structured daily routine, which can be particularly beneficial for those with conditions such as autism or PTSD, providing a sense of stability and predictability in their lives.

 
Dedication to Training: Service dogs require continuous training and education. This includes refreshing their everyday commands and adapting to new tasks as your disability evolves. It's crucial that you take an active role in training your dog, as multiple trainers in the household can confuse them. Be prepared to invest time and effort into your dog's ongoing development.

Cost: Owning a service dog can be costly. You'll need to budget for routine healthcare, high-quality nutrition, appropriate gear, and advanced training. Certain breeds may require extra care, like professional grooming or additional veterinary attention for specific conditions. Consider investing in pet insurance and building an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.

Breed Selection: While any breed can potentially become a service dog, their specific traits matter. Factors such as size, temperament, personality, coat texture (for those with sensory sensitivities), and exercise needs all influence how well you and your service dog will work together. Ensure the breed aligns with your specific requirements, whether it's mobility assistance, scent-based alerts, or other tasks. Don't base your choice solely on appearance or personal nostalgia; it should be a mutual selection process.
Check Out the the Fab 4: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Standard Poodle, and Border Collie. Their work drive, loyalty, and trainability top the charts!

Age of Your Dog: The age of your prospective service dog is a critical factor in your decision-making process. Starting with a puppy presents its own set of challenges, while an older dog may have habits that are harder to reshape during training. Adult dogs might also struggle with the transition from being a pet to becoming a service dog.

Task Requirements: Service dogs can perform a wide range of tasks, from providing reminders and fetching items to sensing anxiety attacks and alerting to medical changes. It's essential to identify what specific tasks you need your service dog to perform for you, as this will guide your training and selection process.

Lifestyle Changes: Be prepared for adjustments in your daily life. A service dog will accompany you in various situations, so consider how this will impact your routine, living arrangements, and social interactions. Reflect on the emotional and social benefits and challenges of having a service dog. While they can provide significant support, they may also attract attention and inquiries from others.

Back-Up Plan: Have a contingency plan in case you are temporarily unable to care for or handle your service dog due to illness or other unexpected circumstances.

Support System: Ensure you have a support system in place, including friends, family, or a service dog community, to assist you in caring for your dog and addressing any challenges that may arise

Planning for Retirement or Non-Qualification: Service dogs can have long working lives, but they all eventually retire. Some dogs may not be suited for service work and are better suited as pets, emotional support animals (ESAs), or therapy dogs. It's essential to have a plan in place for your service dog's future, whether they retire or don't meet the necessary criteria for service work.

The Duncan School Service Dog Program is structured to teach SDiT (Service Dog in Training) teams strong skill sets in:

• Obedience from foundation building to full time working SD
• Completing STAR Puppy (if applicable), Canine Good Citizen, Canine Good Citizen Advanced, Canine Good Citizen Urban, and pass a Public Access Test set by The Duncan School
• Proper socializing for a Service Dog
• Distraction Training
• Mastering individualized Tasks to mitigate your specific needs
• Master navigating different locations as a Service Dog Team
• Mastering the art of reading your dog's body language
• Becoming environmentally neutral
• Learn acceptable training tools, gear, and working image
• Learn how to advocate for yourself and Service Dog
• Mastering proper dog-people introduction skills
• Requirements for working in public, ethic standards
• Knowing and understanding your Federal Rights protected by the Dept. of Justice under the ADA Laws and State Rights in Georgia.
• Service Dog Team resources for traveling

Puppy's Minimum Starting Age: 3 Months

Initial course length: 18 months

Initial Tuition: $9,000
Payment plans accepted. Initial registration $500, remaining balance of $8,500 can be divided over 17 months. 

**NOTE! Some SD teams require more time to complete their needed tasks. This depends on the amount and/or difficulties of the tasks needed, the talents of the team, the time invested between lessons to work, and many other factors. If additional training time is needed, the course length can be extended. Traditionally teams should allow for 18-24 months for "fully trained".
Some teams require additional tasks to be added as disabilities change.