Paws Service Dogs: A Comprehensive Training Program

Paws service dogs undergo rigorous training to become reliable and skilled assistants. This training typically starts from an early age, around 8-10 weeks old.

The training program is designed to be comprehensive, covering various aspects such as obedience, socialization, and task-specific training. Service dogs learn to perform specific tasks to assist their handlers with disabilities or conditions.

The training process involves positive reinforcement techniques, which focus on rewarding good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. This approach helps build trust and confidence between the dog and handler.

Service dogs are trained to perform a wide range of tasks, including opening doors, picking up items, and providing physical support. Their training is tailored to meet the specific needs of their handlers.

Discover more: Tasks Service Dogs Perform

At Patriot PAWS, our mission is to train and provide Service Dogs of the highest quality at no cost to disabled American Veterans and others with mobile disabilities.

We take a long-term approach to training our Service Dogs, which can take up to 2 years to complete. The entire process costs around $46,000, but don't worry, it's fully covered for those in need.

We've also expanded our services to include Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress, because we believe every individual deserves support and independence.

Our mission is to train and provide Service Dogs of the highest quality at no cost to disabled American Veterans and others with mobile disabilities. This allows us to help restore their physical and emotional independence.

We've developed partnerships with state and community organizations to support our goal. This collaboration has been instrumental in helping us achieve our mission.

It takes 18-24 months and costs $46,000 to fully train and certify a Patriot PAWS Service Dog.

Discover more: How Long Does It Take to Train Service Dogs

The demand for service dogs has skyrocketed. Whether working with “owner-trainers,” people with disabilities training their own dogs for service work, or for a nonprofit service dog program, there is a growing need for dog trainers qualified to train service dogs.

It takes 18-24 months and costs $46,000 to fully train and certify a service dog. This is a significant investment, but one that can make a huge difference in the life of a disabled veteran.

Additional reading: Dog Trainer for Service Dogs

Many American heroes are struggling with both visible and invisible disabilities while they wait for a service dog. In fact, there are 50+ American heroes waiting for a Patriot PAWS Service Dog.

The fewer financial resources we have, the fewer service dogs we can train, which means the longer those disabled veterans will be waiting for one of our dogs to help them regain their independence.

Your donation, no matter the size, can help provide the resources we need to continue serving our nation's brave and selfless veterans.

For more insights, see: Service Dogs for Vets with Ptsd

The Paws Service Dogs program is a 12-week comprehensive curriculum that will prepare you to train service dogs with confidence and integrity. You'll learn about service dog laws and how to select the right candidates for training.

One of the key areas of focus is training, which is a crucial aspect of the program. The curriculum covers public access training, ensuring that the service dogs you train will be well-behaved in public.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Service Dogs in Training Laws

You'll also learn how to incorporate service dog training into your business, making it a valuable addition to your services. This could be a great opportunity to expand your business and help more people.

The program covers working with people with disabilities, which is essential for service dog trainers. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that people with disabilities face and how service dogs can make a positive impact.

Here are some of the topics you'll cover in the program:

You'll also have access to an extensive Learning Library of scientific research and resources on service dog specialties, including mobility, guide, hearing, psychiatric/PTSD, autism, diabetic, seizure-alert, and more.

Elaine Chevalier is a certified trainer with a passion for teaching service dogs to perform important tasks. She's CPDT-KA and SDC certified, which means she's got the expertise to help service-dog teams work together in harmony.

Elaine loves being part of the process of building bonds based on trust and mutual respect between service dogs and their handlers. It's a truly amazing experience.

With her extensive knowledge and experience, Elaine is the perfect addition to our team of dedicated professionals who are committed to helping service dogs make a real difference in people's lives.

Worth a look: Do Service Dogs Need Identification

The program is conducted by Warrior Canine Connection, a service dog organization that has partnered with VA Palo Alto health care.

Training sessions take place at the VA Menlo Park campus, specifically at the Welcome Center Canine Corner, Building 400.

This is an outpatient program, meaning participating Veterans attend sessions without being hospitalized.

A fresh viewpoint: Va Service Dogs

Service dog training is a complex challenge that requires a lot of thought and consideration. It involves understanding disability challenges, legal issues, public access, safety, and the dog's needs.

Training a service dog to complex, high-level skills is extremely rewarding. People training their own dogs for service work are some of the most committed clients you will ever find.

The cost to train and place one service dog is $46,000. This is a significant investment, but it's one that can make a huge difference in the life of a disabled veteran.

The demand for service dogs has skyrocketed, and there is a growing need for dog trainers qualified to train service dogs. This is an opportunity for people to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.

For your interest: Do Service Dogs Have to Be Registered

The canine training sessions are conducted by Warrior Canine Connection, a service dog organization that has partnered with VA Palo Alto health care for the purpose of the pilot.

This is an outpatient program, which means you won't have to stay overnight at the hospital. Participating Veterans will attend training sessions at the VA Menlo Park campus, specifically at the Welcome Center Canine Corner, Building 400.

Recommended read: All about Dogs Dog Training

To be eligible for the PAWS Pilot Program, you'll first need to have a screening appointment with a VA clinician from the PAWS pilot team. This initial meeting will confirm whether you meet the program's requirements.

The screening appointment is a crucial step in the referral process, ensuring that participants are a good fit for the program.

Paws service dogs are trained to assist individuals with specific needs, but there are rules and considerations to keep in mind.

In public, service dogs must be under the owner's control and wear a vest or identification that indicates their status.

To qualify as a service dog, the animal must be trained to perform a specific task to assist the owner with a disability, such as opening doors or picking up items.

Service dogs are allowed in most public places, including restaurants, stores, and public transportation.

For more insights, see: Public Access Test for Service Dogs

Participating in the PAWS pilot program is a low-risk opportunity to explore new treatment options.

No, participation in the program should not impact your service connection status.

You'll be dismissed from the program if you're being disruptive, aggressive, or display other inappropriate behavior, like being under the influence, while in class on the service dog organization's property.

You may also be dismissed by the VA if they believe it's not in your best interest to continue, and you'll be referred to the local VA pilot staff to reassess your eligibility for the program.