Who do you train dogs for?

We train dogs for people across the USA, of all ages, who are in need of a Service Dog to assist them in their daily life.  We train dogs for people with:

Seizure disorders (Epilepsy)

Stability or mobility disorders

Anaphylactic food allergies and

Mental health disorders.

 

How old do I have to be to get a Service Dog?

There really is not an age limit.  We have placed service dogs with children as young as two years old; however an adult responsible for the child is also trained to handle the dog.

What breeds of dogs do you use and why?

We generally use Golden Retrievers, Golden Doodles, and Labrador Retrievers. We have found through years of training, that these breeds have the best size and temperament to become a service dog. We also use other breeds when needed. 

What if I am allergic to dogs?

If you are diagnosed with an allergy to dogs, we would first want you to speak with your allergist; however some of our clients are allergic to dogs and still have a service dog.  We can use a lower allergy breed such as the Golden Doodle.

Can I choose my dog?

No,  we do not allow you to choose your own Service Dog. We do match you with a dog that will best fit your particular lifestyle and medical needs based on factors such as your activity level, age, size and most of all your need of assistance.  This information helps us hand pick your service dog specific for your needs.

Once I get a Service Dog, can I take it out in public with me?

Yes. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Service Dogs and their handlers are given equal access to any public place. This includes hotels, dining establishments, buses, airplanes, etc.  Also, this act enables service dog handlers to live in places where pets are usually banned.  FOr more information please visit http://www.ada.gov  or http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.html.

Seizure Disorders:

What does a dog for a seizure disorder do?

A dog for a person with a seizure disorder is a Seizure Response Dog.  The dogs can be trained to do many things.  We can train dogs specific to your needs such as, but not limited to: retrieving emergency medicine and a cell phone, getting help from someone else who is in the house, laying with the person having a seizure, and hitting an alarm to signal for help.

I've heard that some dogs can actually alert a person when they're about to have a seizure. Is this true?

Yes. Research has shown that many dogs can alert to seizures, giving the person with epilepsy  a chance to get somewhere safe or into a safe position.  It is not understood how a dog can sense an oncoming seizure but it is believed that they detect subtle behavioral changes or scent changes in the person.  We do not train our dogs to alert, nor do we guarantee that any of our dogs will alert.

It is our belief that  Noelle's Dog's Four Hope does have a higher chance that a dog will alert  because we employ a few people who have epilepsy, and proximity to a person with epilepsy may give the dog a greater chance to alert.

PUPPYS 

I've got a puppy that I would like to donate to your organization so it could become a Service Dog. Is this possible?

Possibly.  We are very thankful that you are even considering donating a dog to us, but to become a Service Dog, the puppy must meet very specific criteria.  You can contact us to set up a meeting with the puppy so that we can perform an examination and tests to see if it meets the our requirements.

Your training methods are different from mine. As a puppy raiser, do I have to train with your methods?

Yes.   We train with only positive reinforcement methods.  It is important that each command and signal is taught to the puppy exactly as we ask you to.  If you have any questions about why we train the way that we do, please feel free to contact us.