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Have you ever thought about Service Dog puppy adoption? I’m sure you’ve seen Service Dogs out on the streets, in your local mall, or maybe the grocery store, but did you know that you can adopt one of these beautiful, well-behaved dogs? Most of this information how to adopt a puppy is based on my experience and knowledge with Guide Dogs of America.
What is a Service Dog?
According to the American Disabilities Act (federal) any dog assisting a person with a
disability is considered a service dog (exclusive of therapy dogs). Service dogs are entitled to freely access buildings and transportation (trains, planes, buses). Some of the common
service dogs are:
- Dogs for the blind – Often referred to as “Guide Dogs” or “Seeing Eye Dogs”
- Hearing and Signal Dogs – Dogs trained to assist deaf people.
- Assistance Dogs – A varied category. Dogs will often help by picking things up, open and closing doors, and pulling wheel chairs
- Therapy Dogs – Not considered by law as a Service Dog. Therapy dogs visit hospitals, care facilities, nursing homes, etc to cheer up patients. – For the re levance of this article we will not be talking about Therapy Dogs.
How Does A Puppy Go From Puppy To Service Dog?
First, it’s important to understand the process a Service Dog puppy
goes through before achieving the status of Service Dog.
- Breeder Dogs are housed by foster families near Service Dog facilities such as Guide Dogs of America in Sylmar, CA.
- Breeder Dogs are bred and have litters at the Service Dog facility.
- The litter stays at the facility until approximately 7-8 weeks of age.
- At 7-8 weeks of age puppies move on to live with individuals and families called puppy raisers.
- Puppies are evaluated and learn basic obedience throughout the puppy raising period for approximately 18-22 months.
- At 18-22 months the puppies are brought back to the Service Dog facility for formal training.
- Puppies attend formal training for 4-6 months. During formal training puppies learn advanced commands specific to the disability they will assist.
This is just a short step-by-step and does not include every detail in a Service Dog Puppy’s training.
How Can I Adopt A Service Dog Puppy?
Service Dog training programs are very rigorous and not all puppies will become Service Dogs. At Guide Dogs of America it is said that approximately 40% of the puppies who start the program will not make it as a Guide Dog. So what happens to the puppies that are career changed (don’t make the guide dog program)? The puppy raiser has the first choice to keep the puppy. If the puppy raiser declines to keep the puppy then the puppy is adopted out. Who gets to adopt the puppy? Currently at Guide Dogs of America there is a 5 year wait list for people interested in adopting a retired or career change guide dog. They are not accepting new applications.
Guide Dogs are not working service dogs their entire lives. Working Guide Dogs can be retired due to health problems or old age. The blind partner has the first option of adopting his/her retired working Guide Dog. The puppy raiser has the second option of adopting the retired Guide Dog. Finally, if neither opt to adopt the dog then the dog is adopted out to a family/individual who applied for puppy/dog adoption.
What about other Service Dog Groups?
There are many other Service Dog groups and their policies and procedures for puppy adoption are probably similar to Guide Dogs of America. However, other groups may be accepting applications for new adoption families. Here are a few groups I’ve come across on the web with headquarters in California:
Guide Dogs of the Desert International
Canine Companions for Independence
Are you interested in Service Dog puppy adoption? Have you ever raised a Service Dog puppy or adopted a Service Dog? I’d love to hear what you have to say. If you’re interested in adopting a service dog then check out our list of service dog schools with adoption programs.
Nancy Shaffer says
The Southeastern division of Canine Companions is not conducting any interviews at this time.
Last spring (2010) and early summer, I went through the preapplication, application, dr. referrals with no problems. The next step was the formal interview and then IF I met their criteria I would be invited to attend a 2 week training session and leave with a Service Dog.
In December 2010 I received an email stating that no interviews would be scheduled due to the number of people already on the waiting list. CCI reviewed the decision in June and another email was received. No interviews would be scheduled at this time. Another review is scheduled for this December.
Colby says
@Nancy, thank you for telling us about the process you are going through with Canine Companions. I just took a peek at the Guide Dogs of America website and they still are not taking new applications and it also lists that the waiting list is 6 years. Good luck to you and hopefully everything works out soon.
Mike Logan says
We have adopted an 8 year old former seeing eye dog, who developed seizures as a result of his work. The dog was given to someone who died one month later, so he has had some transitions in the last month. All of us, two adults and two kids, are sighted, which I think he has picked up on. But he often watches me very closely to see what I am up to. I have never seen a seeing eye dog work in the home with their blind master, so not sure if I am seeing him on task or not. I am wondering if he has ever been alone, and how to make his transition easier. We also do not want to lose the effectiveness of his training, so when we give him a command, like ‘down’, and he does it, do we give him an ‘attaboy’? Thanks. All hints appreciated.
Colby says
@Mike, as a guide dog puppy raiser I only take the guide pups through there first 18 months of training and socialization. The final 6 months of formal training is done at the school. As for your question: If it were me I would continue to praise your dog when he obeys his commands.
stacy mcnicholas says
Can you guide me to an organization in the Central NY area that have dogs that can be adopted that just did not make the cut at a Companion training program? Don’t they go up for adoption? But where? Thanks!
Stacy
Colby says
Hi Stacy,
We’re in Southern California, but a while back we put together a list of guide dog schools in the United States. Take a look at this article: https://puppyintraining.com/dog-training-schools-a-list-of-guide-dog-schools/.
Hopefully that helps.
Take care,
Colby
stacy says
thanks so much
Dennis Rabalais says
Hi. i’m a quadriplegic male and I live in a nursing home. I want to transition to independent living. Can I still train assistance dogs in nursing home until I get housing (example. if I will be transitioned to home within two weeks)? Reason is, I cannot live alone.
Colby says
Hi Dennis,
You might want to check with some of the different assistance dog schools and trainers in your area to see what they recommend. One of the largest in the United States is Canine Companions for Independence. There website is http://cci.org. Good luck with your training!
Colby
Nicole says
Howdy all 🙂
My 11mo old daughter is legally blind (has some light perception) & I am curious as to when (what age) & where we could obtain a guide dog for her. We live in the mid Hudson Valley region of NY. Thank you 🙂
Our Best,
The Sheridans
Colby says
Hi Nicole,
The best thing to do is to contact one of the guide dog schools in your area. I’m sure each organization has different age requirements. You might check with the Seeing Eye: http://www.seeingeye.org.
Take care,
Colby
Colby says
By the way, here’s a list of other guide dog schools in the United States: https://puppyintraining.com/dog-training-schools-a-list-of-guide-dog-schools/
Courtney Smith says
How can I get my dog to love people and other animals? I would love for her to be my emotional support dog but she doesn’t do well with other dogs really. 🙁
Colby says
Early socialization with all people, dogs, places, sights, sounds, and smells always helps to make a dog better adjusted to different things including people and animals. However, not all dogs are meant to be service dogs or emotional support dogs. “At Guide Dogs of America it is said that approximately 40% of the puppies who start the program will not make it as a Guide Dog.”
Mary fink says
I am 62 and deaf in one ear i have a degenerative back decrease that will in time make it hard to walk i fight depression …not sure if you can help i would like a dog for a companion to be with me at all times go every where with me so i am never alone..i live with my daughter and her kids i was told a sevice dog might be best for me possibly a retired one …what do you think… ty for your time god bless you…. mary
Colby says
Hi Mary, we are currently working on placing more service dogs, but unfortunately we won’t have any available for approximately two years time. If you’re interested in a service dog check the Assistance Dogs International (http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org) website for service dog organizations in your area. Good luck with your search.