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Eligibility for a Service Dog

Canines for Service works with individuals who 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  

Canines for Service specializes in working with people with mobility limitations.  We do not provide services in the following areas:

Visually or hearing impaired or non-verbal individuals

Seizure Disorders

Autism

Certification or training of an individuals own dog as service dogs

Children under the age of ten years

Diabetic detection

Points to Consider


The ADA defines a service animal as a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability There are many organizations that train service dogs, but the standards are not the same.

  • When evaluating an organization a person should consider the following:
  • How long has the organization or person been training service dogs?
  • How old are the dogs when provided to a client?
  • How have the dogs’ been evaluated for temperament and health?
  • Are the dogs hips assessed by x-ray?
  • Can the dog handle the public settings or is it timid or fearful?
  • When training is done with a client is it provided in a group or individually?
  • Is follow-up training provided?
  • Who owns the dog after it is placed with a client?
  • Is there liability insurance coverage provided by the organization providing the service dog?
  • Is the organization a legal organization in compliance with state and federal laws?

Working dogs are highly skilled with many hours of training to help a person as a guide, hearing or service dog. While a Service Dog can benefit many people with disabilities, not everyone can use a Service Dog  therefore each individual’s disability must be evaluated as to whether a Service Dog is appropriate for the individual.

Carolina Canines strives to provide the best possible match between the person and the service dog.  We provide a follow-up program  for each new service team with periodic check-ups via phone or home visits.
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information@caninesforservice.org                          866-910-3647                         Canines for Service, PO Box 12643, Wilmington, NC 28405                              Content copyright 2010 - 2012. Canines for Service. All rights reserved.

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Registered 501c3 tax exempt organization. 56-2118747 registered as Carolina Canines for Service Inc.
Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the NC Charitable Solicitation Licensing Section at 888-830-4989. The license is not an endorsement by the State.