Finding Your Service Dog
Research shows that a special bond exists between humans and dogs that fosters intellectual, emotional, and psychological well-being.
A professionally trained psychological service dog offers more than comfort. These dogs may be trained to:
- Perform essential tasks
- Provide emotional and behavioral support
- Interrupt dangerous or self-destructive behaviors
- Offer grounding cues during moments of distress
Whether through adopting a new dog or training a dog you already own, our goal is to help you find a companion that will meet your unique needs.
What do we look for in a service dog?
In order for your psychological service dog experience to be as seamless as possible, it is important that you form a meaningful connection with your service dog.
Key traits we consider include:
- Age: Dogs between 12 weeks and 2 years old are ideal for training and ensure a longer working lifespan.
- Size: While many people think of larger breeds like Golden Retrievers, small to medium breeds often live longer and may be easier to handle.
- Temperament: The ideal service dog is calm, intelligent, confident, and responsive—gentle, but firm in its ability to support you.
Why Rescue Dogs?
We believe in rescuing dogs… to rescue people.
Rescuing dogs to rescue people gives both parties a second chance to live fulfilling lives. Many dogs of many different breeds—readily available for adoption—have the intelligence, temperament, and potential to excel as psychological service dogs.
Already Have a Dog?
If you already have a dog, you likely feel the deepest connection with the dog already in your home.
We’ll assess your dog’s temperament and abilities to determine whether it’s a candidate for service dog training. We make every attempt to utilize their full potential to meet your needs, but unfortunately, it is possible that your dog may not have the temperament suitable to become a service dog.
If your current dog is not a good fit, don’t worry—we’ll assist you in finding a dog that is.
The Rescue Process
Once we’ve completed the initial steps of the application and evaluation process, we’ll begin working together to find your future service dog.
Here’s how it works:
- Our trainer assesses your needs and recommends the type of dog that will best support you.
- We explore adoption options through our rescue partners and beyond.
- Together, we choose the right dog—and begin the training journey.
Ready to Begin?
Whether you’re looking to train a dog you already love—or hoping to find your perfect match—we’re here to guide you.
If you’re interested in getting started, please contact us online or call 407-657-8555 ext. 116 to speak with someone directly.
