Medical / Service Dog Training:
Medical and / or Service dog training involves an extensive training process to ensure the dog meets state and federal requirements to be certified as a service dog. You MUST have a legal medical reason to have a service dog. The ADA defines a service dog as the following, “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure…”
1. You must have a letter from your medical doctor with his/her reason and signature certifying why you need a service dog. This will have to be kept for your records as well
2. Your dog will need to go through an assessment to determine if it’s a proper fit to be trained as a service dog, and to determine if your dog is capable of completing the tasks required to assist you.
What commands will/can my service dog learn?
That question is truly dependent on your disability needs. Each service dog and what they must be taught is unique in regards to what you and your doctor have determined to be necessary.
Some service commands / tasks include (but are not limited to):
- Chores such as picking up clothes / objects
- Opening / Closing doors
- Auditory Support Services / Deaf / Hard of hearing
- Alerting you of someone knocking
- Alert to doorbell
- Alert to alarm (Fire / Smoke / Evacuate)
- Alert to intruder
- Alert to name being called
- Alert to Police / Fire / EMT Sirens
- etc
- Walking support
- Medical Alerts (Seizures, Heart Attacks, Migraines, Narcolepsy, Diabetic, Etc)
- Stand between owner and stranger for people with social disabilities / protection
- Press a doggy 911 device to alert police of an emergency
- Fetch a bottle of water from fridge
- PTSD, Suicidal, Psychiatric, Assistance
- Neuro-divergent
- Autism
- Asperger’s (No longer diagnosed)
- Down Syndrome
- DPT (Deep Pressure Touch / Deep Pressure Therapy)
- DTP (Deep Tissue Pressure)
- Turning on / off lights
- Retrieving Medications
- Alert to a wandering child
- Prevent a child from wandering / eloping (grab belt, block door, etc)
- Child locating (Scent work – Dog will track child that has successfully eloped)
- Scent Detection (Celiac Disease – Gluten Allergy, incontinence, peanut allergy, etc)
- Somatosensation (Tactile / Sensory Petting)
- Wheel Chair assistance (Forward momentum, Pulling)
- Stimming Redirection / Harmful Behavior Redirection (Redirects individual who punches, slaps, etc, themselves)
- Self mutilation prevention
Cost of Service Dog Training:
The cost involved of training a service dog can range GREATLY depending on what tasks your dog must complete. First and foremost your dog must be obedient and listen to commands given 99.9% of the time. That process alone usually takes the majority of the dogs first year. Once maturity is established and obedience / commands are reliable, then you can graduate to the second step. Through our service dog program you will exceed ADA requirements to ensure a greater standard for service dog work and accountability.
- Primary Training:
- $225/HR – Private Sessions
- Training Included but not limited to:
- Beginner through Advanced Obedience
- Service Dog Tasks
- AKC CGC / Urban Certifications
- Public Access Training
- Training Included but not limited to:
- $225/HR – Zoom / Virtual Private Sessions
- For those located 35+ miles out of Rochester NY such as NYC (New York City) You can get specific and tailored training via zoom
- $225/HR – Private Sessions
- Addon’s (Depending on training will be required):
- TBD – Board and Train Program
- Cost will be determined after discussion and will be dependent on whether or not we’re doing a full 100% board and train, or a board and train mixed with private training.
- $3240 – Airport / Airline training
- 1 day trip to another major airport such as LGA, JFK
- Flight out and back same day
- Will practice in airport as well as in flight training
- Desensitize dog to take off
- Will practice in public training, crowds, events, and in restaurants
- 1 day trip to another major airport such as LGA, JFK
- $5184 – Airport / Airline / Train / Public Transit / Cabs, Uber, Lyft / Restaurant / Hotel
- 2 day trip – Destination TBD
- Transportation to location can include flight, car, public transit, train, etc. Not all are required
- Will include stay at hotel to teach and discuss hotel requirements
- We will also train at multiple local restaurants
- You will be responsible for your own meals
- Depending on location will include multiple public trainings such as stores, malls, parks, etc.
- $7776 – Airport / Airline / Train / Public Transit / Cabs, Uber, Lyft / Restaurant / Hotel / Cruise
- Based off of 3 Days – Destination TBD
- $2592 /EA additional day
- More intensive multiple day trip, includes same as outlined above for 2 day trip.
- TBD – Board and Train Program
- Mileage is NOT included in above prices
- Taxes will NOT be charged for service dog training per NY State Tax code
- For individuals paying cash an $8775 down payment must be made before or upon the first session to begin training and will then continue with the hourly charge listed above.
TOTAL COST CAN RANGE DRASTICALLY WITH A MINIMUM (LOW END) OF $25,000 TO A HIGH END OF $85,000
This is highly dependent on your specific situation, the age and breed of the dog we are working with, the age and disability of the individual that’s doing the training, what advanced commands / tasks you are hoping to learn, whether or not we do a board and train along side hands on training, how frequently we’re meeting (EG: Once a week, twice a week), to name only a few factors.
FAQ: Do you have funding or services to assist with the cost?
No, yes, maybe: We do not exactly have funding ourselves however we may know of someone who can assist you. There are non for profits that often will fund the purchase of your dog, the training, or both. However most are disability specific and often have a wait list. Others have been successful at fund raising like gofundme’s. Some local college fraternities/sororities have also expressed interest in raising money to cover the cost of training for people that fall under their philanthropic efforts. The best course of action for service dog inquiries is to reach out to us via E-Mail or Text and give us as much information as possible.
FAQ: Do you have service dog’s available for me to purchase?
No! I focus on private individualized training focused on YOUR needs. I do not recommend “pre-trained” service dog’s as they may not have the skills necessary to your medical / psychological needs. Why pay $100,000 for a pre-trained service dog to then pay thousands more to train it for your needs.
FAQ: Will you help me pick out a service dog?
Absolutely! I can always give my advice and input, however, at the end of the day the decision will ultimately be yours. I recommend doing research prior to contacting me in regards to what breed you are interested in, whether or not you will be getting a puppy and/or adopting, etc. For information and help picking a service dog: “What dog breed is best for service dogs”
FAQ: Should I get a puppy or adopt an older dog?
They both have their pros and cons. Puppies allow the ability to connect much earlier in the dogs life and the ability to train a dog the way you want and need for your medical / service needs right from the start. Pro of adopting means you rescue an older dog that has (potentially) already had some prior training such as house breaking. Second, you can also make sure the dog has the right energy level for service dog work as they’ve already gone through the puppy stages, terrible two’s, etc.
FAQ: What Breed do you recommend?
This is highly dependent on your needs and the tasks the dog must complete. For a thorough break down on what to look for and/or what to consider read our article here: “What dog breed is best for service dogs”
FAQ: Is an emotional support dog a service dog?
The ADA, Federal, and State laws do NOT recognize emotional support dogs as service dogs. If a dog is solely being utilized to assist you with comfort it is NOT a service dog and is not awarded the same rights as a service dog. Your ESA (Emotional Support Animal) is only allowed in housing that typically does not allow pets. You will not be allowed to bring your ESA into public places that do not allow pets, including (airports, restaurants, local stores, etc). Please, please, please understand the difference from an Emotional Support Animal and a Service Dog. A service dog is needed for someone with a disability and the dog must complete tasks to make the owners life manageable or easier.
FAQ: I saw a registry online for $65 that registers my dog as a service dog and gives him/her a service dog card
FAKE! This is a huge scam. There is no “card” or “ID” required for your service dog. No website or business has the right to “certify” your dog as a service dog. You must meet requirements provided by state law and ADA in order for your dog to be considered a service animal.
FAQ: I have a trip coming up in a week, can you certify my dog.
I can’t believe how often I get this question on a call….. NO! I am not going to risk my business and/or reputation on your fake service dog. No amount of money will get me to fake it for you. Sorry
FAQ: I heard airlines are making things stricter, is that true?
Yes, and I’m one of few trainers nationwide helping them do it. I am working hand in hand with multiple airlines and third party companies in understanding how and what they can ask so that they can allow/deny dogs as needed. As well as how to seek legal counsel when someone does fake a service dog and that dog has to get kicked off a flight for any reason, (EG. Biting someone).
