Training Program

PHASE 1

Qualification

• Veteran will meet with their provider from the VA Hospital, Private Therapist or Vet Center in order to qualify for the program.  Our service dog program is provided for Military Veterans with service-connected post-traumatic stress.
   
• Must have an established need for a service dog and deemed capable of completing the training program and caring for the dog.  A signed referral letter on letterhead will be required by the therapist stating that the above items are accurate and true in their opinion.  Veteran will fill out an application that is specifically geared towards matching the appropriate dog with the Veteran's life/enviornment.

PHASE 2

Dog Selection

• Veteran will meet with Certified Canine and Victory For Vets to help determine the appropriate type of dog to fit their needs. Veteran will be sent home with a training DVD and training information.
   
• Certified Canine will work with Helping Hounds to find an appropriate match for the Veteran.
   
• Legal ownership of the selected dog will be transferred to Certified Canine until the Veteran and dog completes the program. Once all training/testing is complete, legal ownership will be transferred to the Veteran.

PHASE 3

Training

• Service dog will reside and train at Certified Canine for approximately 4 weeks prior to meeting the Veteran.
• A 'meet & greet' will be scheduled with the Veteran and the dog once the dog has completed approximately half of the individual training.
• A hands on training session will be scheduled with the Veteran when the dog is ready to go home.
• Veteran will be sent home with specific training exercises to work on individually.
• There will be additional training sessions along with ‘in field’ training sessions with Certified Canine (number/frequency will be dependent upon progress and needs of the Veteran for additional assistance).
• Upon completion of training, Certified Canine will schedule the Canine Good Citizen test for the Veteran with dog by an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.