Canines for Service serves the southeastern region of the United States, from Virginia to Florida, and east of the Mississippi River for civilian applicants and nationally for Veteran applicants.
The application process helps us to determine the best possible match for a service dog with the person. A video is required as part of the application and is essential to determine the very specific skills the service dog will need to serve the person it is matched with. Canines for Service reserves the right to accept or not accept an applicant based on the information provided in the application and additional information that may be obtained through the review process.
In the civilian population we serve individuals with mobility issues.
For our service members and Veterans, we serve individuals with mobility issues, traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder.
Canines for Service does not work in the following areas: Visually or hearing impaired or non-verbal individuals; Seizure Disorders; Autism; Train or Certify a persons pet; Diabetic detection or serve children under the age of ten years.
If you are not a Veteran and are located outside of this area, we cannot accept an application at this time.
Recipients of our service dogs must travel to Wilmington, NC or Charleston, SC at their own expense for up to 14 days of training with their Canines for Service dog. This team training is the key to forming a life-long bond between human and dog, as well as for the recipient to learn how to utilize his/her canine partner’s skills.
It takes time, energy and a strong commitment to succeed in our program. If you have a disability and feel you could benefit from the assistance of a Service Dog, please complete an application.
As a volunteer based organization, we look to our clients to remain involved with CFS in order to continue providing mobility assistance service dogs. While there is not a requirement to fundraise to receive a service dog, clients are asked to assist in any way they can to promote the mission and services of CFS such as speaking on behalf of the organization, representing the organization in their community and promoting fundraising events.
Eligibility Criteria.
In order for service dog application to be accepted, you must meet all of the following basic criteria:
- Be at least 10 years of age and have a legal guardian request application for a service dog.
- Must be verbal.
- Experience functional limitations due to a variety of disabling conditions, which include, but are not limited to the following:
- Cerebral palsy
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Severe heart conditions
- Limb Amputation
- Muscular dystrophy
- Arthritis
- Spina bifida
- Ataxia/poor balance
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (Veterans ONLY)
- Complete all information on the service dog application including the video, personal references and application fee, if applicable.
- Submit completed application and video.
Application Review.
- Application is reviewed for completeness and if information is missing it is requested by our office staff. Applicants are given no more than 30 days to submit the missing information.
- Personal reference letters are sent by CFS.
- When all components of the application including the application, video and personal reference letters are on file in the CFS office, the application will be placed in review status for the next Client Service Review Committee meeting.
- Review of the application can take up to 12 weeks after all required information is submitted to our office and may include the contact of medical professionals in order to make the best possible determination for placement of a service dog.
- Applicant will be notified in writing of the decision of CFS.
- Once accepted as an Approved Applicant due to the extensive, personalized training for each service dog, it can take years to find the perfect match. The wait list is up to 4 years for a non-Veteran and up to 1 year for a Veteran.
- Approved Applicants are responsible for ensuring CFS is provided any update to information or change in contact information or health status.
For an application for a service dog from our Civilian Program, click here. Please note there is a $25 application fee.
For an application for a service dog from our Veterans Program, click here.
The Matching Process.
Matching is the most important step in the process. It begins once a dog has been appointed to a service category. During the matching process, we review the applicant’s needs, personality and lifestyle to determine the dog that best fits their needs. Each dog receives the same basic skills training for its service category. From there the dog can be trained to meet specific needs its partner may have, such as needing support on the left or right side or needing a bottle of water from the fridge.
Team Training.
Once the dog completes advanced training, an individualized team-training schedule is developed. This intense training spans 1-2 weeks during which the partner learns how to utilize the dog's skills and initiates the life-long bond with their service dog. Team training and all components of it including community outings to restaurants, stores, and public venues is required and not an option. Failure to comply with team training could result in the person not receiving the service dog.
We strive to make the best possible match between the recipient and service dog. But our job does not end there. We establish a follow-up program for each new service team. Periodic check-ups via phone and home visits are required during the during of the dogs working life to ensure that the dog and recipient are adjusting to their new lives together.
A proper fit is crucial to the new team in creating the best relationship between the team. A strong relationship between the two will result in the partner achieving the greatest amount of independence. The experience must be positive for the recipient, as well as service dog, for the new team to work together and do so efficiently.