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Academy Trained

Service Dogs

See if you can benefit from one of our highly-skilled service dogs.

To get started, please review our minimum eligibility requirements.

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MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  1. Have been under the regular care of at least 1 physician for a minimum of 1 year for your condition(s).

  2. Taking all appropriate measures to monitor and mitigate your condition(s), yet still be experiencing difficulty.

  3. Be 18 years or older OR have the support of a legal guardian.  

  4. Be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of handling a medium/large breed dog.

  5. Able to be financially responsible for the service dog after placement from SSDI.

  6. Live in a smoke-free environment

  7. Able to give a dog a minimum of 60 minutes of aerobic exercise daily.

  8. Have read the following pages on our website to learn more about us: 

Learn more about our Academy Trained Service Dogs

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QUICK FACTS

  1. Academy dogs are owned by SSDI in perpetuity.

  2. Academy dogs live with SSDI fosters and trainers during their training.

  3. Academy dogs are matched with clients at SSDI’s sole discretion.

  4. Academy dogs handlers must adhere SSDI standards.

  5. Academy dogs are leased based on the price of their ongoing care (e.g. food, grooming, equipment, veterinary care, insurance, and other maintenance costs apply ~$350/month). There is no cost for the training of the dog (Fully trained Academy dogs estimated training value 30-50k of based on confirmed tasks and experience).

  6. Academy dog handlers pay for handler training (scholarships/fundraising allowed!) during the transition process. The recommended time commitment is twice a week formal training for the first 12 weeks and then once a week for next 12 weeks until applying to test for graduation.

 

DESCRIPTION

An Academy Trained service dog from SSDI means that SSDI obtains, trains and matches our own dogs with clients in need. ​

 

In this option SSDI retains ownership of the dog in perpetuity. This option is recommended for clients who are not able to be a part of the dog training process.  

 

All Academy dogs are placed for a trial period of 6 months to ensure the dog can effectively mitigate aspects of the handler's disability and can adapt to the client's daily routine. During the 6 month trial period these clients must complete our Handler Training Program, and Service Dog Training Program with the dog. All teams must pass SSDI's Public Access Test to graduate our program and re-take this exam annually until the dog's retirement.

 

The duration of lease, once a team graduates, will be for the lifetime of the dog, meaning we will not separate graduated partnerships, unless SSDI standards are broken (e.g. inability or incapacity to care for the dog, mental or physical welfare concerns, abuse). Academy dogs retire if and when they are ready, to their handler, family and friends, or previous foster/SSDI staff.  

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Please take a look at our application process. (Waitlist Open Apr 2024)

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APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. Read and complete our Minimum Eligibility Requirements

  2. Request Academy Dog Information (click below or email info@starfleetservicedogs.org)

  3. Review, complete, and submit an Application

  4. Receive an Application Assessment from us

  5. Have a Video or In Person Interview

  6. Complete Phase 0 with our trainers

  7. Receive a Determination Letter

  8. Wait for Match!​

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