#program dogs

Program Training: A professional organization raises and trains the service dog, which is then matched with a client and placed after formal team training is complete.

Pros:

Client receives a polished and almost fully trained service dog upon arrival at team training.

Some programs have handlers train and interact with their dogs over a longer time period, usually in weekly sessions. 

May be free or lower cost than owner training.

Organizations often offer (some require) additional training when necessary, and help if problems arise or a dog “washes out” for whatever reason.

Many programs offer assistance getting a new dog for a client following the initial retirement of their original dog.

Program training has been around a lot longer, and is often viewed by society as the traditional method of obtaining a service dog.

Cons:

Programs often have very long waiting lists and application processes.

There may be application fees, and fundraising or other payment may be required before the dog is placed/formal training is attended

Programs are often highly selective as far as who they will accept as clients, and many train dogs only for specific disabilities/will not cross train for multiple disabilities. They also may not allow a service dog to be placed in a home with other pets.

It can be very difficult to find a program that meets your needs, especially a local one. Travel/other related cost for team training is often the responsibility of the handler.

Some programs are scams. They either do not train the dog accurately, place the dog prematurely, suddenly change requirements for placement to be finalized etc.

Owner Training: A term for a service dog trained primarily by the handler who will eventually be utilizing the dog’s assistance. The assistance of other loved ones/family members may be used as well as a private trainer for support.

Pros:

The dog is selected by/specifically for the handler before their training even begins. 

The dog is often raised in the handler’s home from the very beginning and if not, updates are often more frequent than when applying for a program dog.

There is evidence that the bond between dog and handler is stronger than those teams from program dog origins. 

Training can be more specific/adapted specifically to the needs of handler and pup from the very beginning.

Cross training a dog (so it mitigates more than one type of disability) is more of a possibility when a dog is owner trained.

Dogs used for owner training can come from a variety of sources, such as shelters, breed rescues, and breeders. (Necessary temperament and health testing is important)

Cons: 

Much higher cost than program dogs, in 99% of cases.

Much greater chance of “wash out” or inability of a chosen dog to complete its training or its working life (especially in rescue/shelter dog situations)

Handler assumes all responsibility for the dog’s care from the very beginning. (Food, toys, health, training, grooming, etc)

Very time intensive and a big commitment.

Finding an appropriate dog for service dog work can be very difficult.

Less socially visible/acceptable method of obtaining a service dog. Access issues are often more frequent, and handlers’ rights are often more aggressively challenged (both by public/formal entities, and also by general population or family)

Due to her circumstances when Mom first began her service dog search (still in college and living in a dorm), she initially chose to pursue a program dog. She researched and contacted roughly 20 programs, but ended up applying only to 4.

One was the well known program Paws with A Cause Inc. Due to their extremely long waiting list, she chose to apply to others as well.

Another was a small but well renowned program through the University of Illinois, Illini Service Dogs. That application did not receive much response, but technically she is in their database.

The other two are a story for another time!