What are the procedures & requirements that a client goes through to get a Service dog?

Each client, irregardless of their disability goes through the same procedures to apply, fundraise, go through boot camp, and boot camp testing.

The following is the typical procedure all of our clients go through:

Step	Description
Contact Us or View our website	This step is to request an initial application and to answer questions that they may have about getting a service dog.
Fill out an Application for Service Dog, Prescription, Social Style Profile & Social Impression Survey, & A $25 Application Fee	This is a Critical Step. This step includes: Reading through all the terms & qualifications to get a service dog and agreeing to those terms. Contact information including emergency contacts Medical information & releases. Client must also have the recommendations of a qualified medical practitioner on the medical basis that necessitates the use of a service dog Type of Service Dog requested & a list of 5 minimum (no maximum) tasks that the client needs from their potential service dog. Background information, lifestyle information, preferences, and questions as to anticipated care of potential service dog. References Medical Release & Authorization including HIPAA Policies Video & Photo Releases Style Profile & Social Impression Survey is a personality survey that allows us to gain an initial idea on where the client fits on the Wilson Learnings Personality Test/Characteristic metric. We have our client fill one out themselves as well as having several of their friends, coworkers, and family fill them out. More Surveys we receive back the better the personality match can be.
Application Review	If a client meets the following criteria then we proceed to the next step in the process: Is the application complete Review the type of Service Dog requested to see if they match the type of service dogs we train & provide to clients. Review of Prescription or Letter of Medical Necessity to see if the prescription is valid & for a valid medical basis that qualifies the candidate under the ADA and other applicable service dog laws to receive a service dog. Examine the listed tasks requested to insure that we can or already do teach our service dogs to accomplish those requested tasks. Can the client provide a safe environment, including costs of vet care, home environment, survival needs, and basic care of the service dog such as grooming or poop pick up.
Home Interview	The home interview is important to ascertain the following: Validity of the answers within the initial application. Review that the home environment is safe and ability of the potential client to care for the potential service animal is present. Review the initial application with the client. Answer any questions on the entire placement process, all applicable terms, fundraising, etc. This includes, but not limited to the stipulations That all funds donated or raised cannot be used for any other purpose other than to get a Service Dog from AZG & are non-refundable. They should ethically tell all their donors this. All fundraising is sole responsibility of the Client Arizona Goldens LLC is not a non-profit and any donations made to the client or AZG for the clients service dog may or may not be tax deductible and the donor should consult their tax professional if that is a concern That they must pass all required tests with an 80% or higher score to remain in boot camp & to receive their service dog. No client knows exactly what written & practical test entail prior to taking them. Along with many other stipulations. Review all requested tasks and individual disability nuances along potential modifications necessary to the dogs basic training to accommodate the disability. In cases where the client lives out of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, additional forms are reviewed and filled out. Otherwise these same forms are reviewed & filled out on a subsequent visit. If local, we invite the client to one of our Puppy Raiser Meetings so that the client can see some of the hard work that goes into training each service dog. In many cases the client will also work with a puppy in training to get an idea of how it is to handle a service dog.
Review Of All Aspects of Applicant	After the Home Interview & all related documents are in, we review the entire application. If the client meets the following criteria: Filled out & truthful application Meets the criteria to receive a service dog under the ADA & ADI standards as well as a medical opinion from the clients own practitioner. Can provide & care for the Service Dog in a safe environment. Applies for a Service dog we have the capacity & experience to train too, Is of legal age, or has a parent handler/ guardian that can give consent. Minor must have an trained adult handler for supervision. If the applicant satisfies all previous conditions, we can continue onto the fundraising & placement process. If the client fails to meet any of the above listed criteria, they have the opportunity to correct the particular issue if possible. If it is of a nature that cannot be corrected or modified, the client does not continue on in the process to get a service dog from AZG.
Follow Up Visit(s) & Fundraising Videos	Follow up visit(s) can take many different forms. For our local autism clients, due to the nature of their disability, we conduct more follow up visits to determine exact working personality type. For all other disabilities there will be at least one if not two follow up visits in addition to the invites to our Puppy Raiser meetings or special events. During these meetings, we bring a service dog in training to give the client a small example of what it is like to work with a service dog. This also allows us to see what type of personality of the dog meshes well with the client and to validate the previous submitted Personality Surveys. At this time the client also decides what options and equipment they wish to have in addition to the price of the service dog and any anticipated travel expenses. Contracts for the all the costs and stipulations for getting a service dog are signed before any payments or fundraising starts. If the client is also going to fundraise for their service dog, we can provide a fund-raising packet that includes all the information about setting up a their own donation bank account; PayPal account & donation buttons; fundraising ideas and event templates; directions to availible grants; and put together a fundraising/interview video and website. All clients are soley responsible for all their fund-raising, donation collections, tax reporting, etc. At this time a minimum deposit is due that covers the bank account set-up fees/minimum deposits, fundraising assistance costs such as domain name registrations, AZG T-Shirt, and fundraising business cards. If client is located out of state, the initial deposit pays for the costs associated with the home visit, additional fees may apply for the above mentioned items. There is a $500 deposit that is applied towards the purchase price of the service dog (if client is located within the Phoenix Metro area). For Clients located outside the Phoenix Metropolitan area, the $500 applies towards the home visit and not towards the cost of the service dog. This deposit is not refundable at any time.
Web Site & Fund-Raising Material Set ups	If the client is fund-raising for their service dog, the only assistance that AZG gives is: Giving a fund-raising informational packet, including ideas, templates, listing of applicable grants, etc. The setup of a fundraising site for the client including a fundraising demonstration video Production of 250 Premium Business cards that help state what the client is fundraising for and a link to their specific fundraising website. Posting of updates, pictures, and link to fundraising page on social networks. Setting Up a separate bank account so that Clients funds are not co-mingled with any other clients funds and everything is separated, traceable, & accountable. Account statements & balances can be given at the request of the client but not generally distributed to the client unrequested. Clients are not required to utilize this account, but prior to scheduling a boot camp all contracted funds must be deposited & cleared into AZGs account for the client. Help with the design of any fundraising marketing materials Assist in attending talks to local groups and providing a demonstration of what benefits the client may receive from getting a service dog. Assisting in fundraising events that the clients set up. All responsibility to raising the funds necessary for the service dog within 2 years of initial application are those of the client. All bank accounts, web page, videos etc. are provided as a courtesy not a requirement of the program. Due to several internal procedures, AZG does not solicit or accept any more donations on behalf of any client or towards any client's account. All donations must be made out to the client themselves. If a specific grant requires the payment be made to AZG directly, special procedures and additional documentation may be necessary to process the transaction directly to the client's account with AZG.
Waiting Game	All AZG dogs are exposed to and trained to approximately 50+ commands, depending on the client's specific disability and needs. Although like humans, certain dogs excel at some tasks better than others. Occasionally additional tasks may have to be trained or refined so that a dog that matches the clients personality & lifestyle will have to be old enough to be placed before a boot camp can be scheduled. Since most of our service dogs we train are very adaptable, most times the reason for the wait is to raise the funds necessary for the dog. For all of our clients, except Autism, there typically is not any other physical interaction unless helping with a fundraising task, function, coordinating payments, or additional events or situations that may come up. For our local Autism clients, due to the nature of their disability, we may bring over several other puppies to get them use to us & the dog in their environment as well as refine the type of personality that the child connects to. For most of our clients, communication during this stage is via email, text, or phone calls with updates, submittal of funds to the clients accounts, or development of other fundraising ideas.
Scheduling Boot Camp	Once all the funds for the contracted service dog have been raised, deposited and cleared AZG bank account for the client, the Boot Camp can be scheduled. At this time, depending on boot camp scheduling: A Pre-Boot Camp Orientation Packet goes out. This details Fundraising Overview Including applicable details on the fundraising amounts & escrow amounts. A Command list detailing & explaining the initial set of commands for the specific boot camp. Pre-Boot Camp Tasks that need to be completed, if necessary. Boot Camp Expectations reiterating the following That it is a stressful process The client must pass all AZG tests with 80% or better, as stated on previously signed contract. Escrow Instructions if they need food or veterinary reimbursements. (if a previously chosen option) Veterinarian Contact Information. We also at this time verify through asking the Client if they are physically well and are mentally prepared to go through the boot camp process at this time. If not then the boot camp can be rescheduled to a later date when they are prepared. If they say they are ready, they are committed to attend boot camp, no rescheduling is allowed after this point. After verbal confirmation, we figure out a date that works for both parties to start the boot camp.AZG then books any rooms, equipment, travel, and personnel necessary for that clients particular boot camp. At this time client funds are distributed to AZG general account to pay applicable taxes, fees, salaries, etc.
Two Weeks Prior to the start of Boot Camp	At this time, the client receives their Boot Camp Pre-Boot Camp Manual. The client is required to study this manual for the initial quiz at the start of the 1st day of boot camp. This manual goes through the basics of dog handling, command list again, and initial theory on how to work with AZG service dogs. If the client studies this manual, then we able to adequately start the boot camp and meet the 2 week boot camp schedule (up to 3 weeks with some of our Autism placements). If they do not pass this test with an 80% or higher, then like the service dog overview, contract, & previously signed stipulations states that the client does not continue on in boot camp and there are is no rescheduling. Any funds shall be applicable to the adopted refund policy in place at time of contract signing.
Boot Camp	This is a stressful process for both the Client & trainers involved. It typically requires working hard for 2 weeks (3 weeks in some autism placements) every day for 5 to 8+ hours a day (depending on the type of placement). Every day is a mixture of practical exercises in handing, lectures over subjects, video demonstrations, in person demonstrations. We try to hit the three major areas of learning to be able to teach to people who learn in different ways. Each day the client is required to pass practical as well as written tests. For most clients, the competency of handling a service dog is demonstrated in the daily practice times and no definite tests are required. All clients must pass the practical test at the end of the first week to be able to continue on with the boot camp process and will not recieve a service dog. For clients that have a difficult time in actually working with the dog, demonstrations are given, help & instruction are given and more practice time is allotted verses lecture time. If they do not show daily progress after given focused help on the particular problem area, the client is given warnings and ample time to adjust to accomplish a series of defined tests over the course of a day & a half. During these test, if the client has not yet been placed with a specific dog, then they may choose which dog to work with. These series of test include 3 portions (they have to pass at least one of the 3): 2 Minute Drill- The client has 2 minutes to choose & demonstrate whatever of the commands we have taught up to that point. They are scored depending on how many successful command completions out of number of command possibilities. 5 Minute Drill- The Client can choose their dog they would like to work with. They are given a command, one at a time by the AZG instructor. The instructor gives the client a reasonable time to complete the tasks. At a random interval, the instructor will give another command of which the client will have to get the dog to complete the new task. If the client fails to have the dog complete the initial task before moving on, then they do not score a point. The client is scored on how many successful completions compared to number of tasks given. 15 Minute Competency- This test is design to show that the Client can demonstrate to AZG that they can work through issues that may require more than 2 or 5 minutes to do. There are no limits or requirements to do a specific number of commands/tasks. Again the client can choose whatever dog they would like to work with and what commands they want to do. The client is scored again on the number of successful completions verses commands attempted. For example if the client chose one really difficult command they have been having trouble with all week, and it took 12 of the 15 minutes to accomplish it before completing 2 other basic commands their score would be 3 out of 3 for 100%. If the client chose to attempt all possible commands, for sake of argument 20 commands at this time, but only completed 3 of them, their score would be 3 out of 20 (15%).
Boot Camp Final Examination	The boot camp final is scheduled to take up the last day of boot camp, Day 14 for all clients except Autism (which may or may require an additional week). The final exam consists of both a written & practical portion. The written test encompasses all the questions from the previous 2 weeks of quizzes & practical learning, and a practical test. During the practical test, the client will be required to work their potential service dog through a local series of stores or local mall. They are given a series of tasks in a sequence that satisfies all ADA, ADI, and AZG requirements of proper handling competency & safety. Spies may be present in every location to ascertain that the clients complete the given tasks without the interference/ influence of an AZG instructor in the immediate vicinity. If the client fails to complete all require tasks in appropriate way that demonstrates effectiveness, safety, good public perception, and actual task required by client in their initial application with an 80% or better, the client will fail to receive their service dog and all the funds shall adhere to the terms of the initial contract and adopted refund policy at time contract signing. Only for the Boot Camp final, if a client fails any portion of boot camp final they are allowed one retest with a $500 non-refundable retest fee. If they fail a second time they do not get any other chances. The retest on the boot camp final is to give a second chance for the client to pass since they have already started the bonding process with the dog. There are no retests on any other written or practical test before the boot camp final. If they are successful, AZG treats all the Spies and the client to a congratulatory refreshments/desert immediately afterwards, and the client signs the final service dog contract to keep the service dog (according to the previously signed stipulations).

This is the process that all of our clients go through from start to finish no matter what their disabilities are. We have successfully worked with clients that have limited mobility of just their head to autistic children who are totally non-verbal & non responsive. The process, tests, and information presented is exactly the same in all cases, although certain disabilities may focus on different command sets & tasks than other client. Different techniques of handling may also vary depending on if you are Quadriplegic verses blind or autistic.

[Back to Top]