Once we receive your application (either by post or through email) we will add you to the waiting list for a service dog. As you will see the application is quite thorough and this will help us to assess your needs and what kind of dog would best suit you.
When we have a dog who is nearing the last phase of his training and who we think could match your needs and family situation we will contact you to set up a meeting to get to know you better and to introduce you to the dog. If the dog fits in well with your family we will embark on a series of training sessions that are tailored specifically to your needs. During this last phase you and the dog will be trained as a team and, if all goes well, you will qualify as a service dog team.
Once the dog qualifies as a service dog and you qualify as a handler we will place the dog with your family at no charge on condition that the dog will continue to be monitored on a yearly basis. This service is not provided on a first-come first-served basis because we look for the best match between dog and client. The process of matching the right dog with your family can therefore take some time.
The Service Dogs are given to the persons who need them for free (subject to certain terms and conditions). However, one should remember that these dogs cost us approximately €15, 000 each to train and maintain and persons who are matched with a dog are expected to care for them as instructed by our trainer. The dogs remain the property of the Foundation so should we feel that there is any form of mistreatment or lack of care the dogs will revert back to the Foundation.
