Our primary focus is on training service dogs for people with physical mobility disabilities. Our dogs can also be trained as Diabetic Alert dogs (trained for detecting changes in blood sugar levels), Home Help-mate dogs (these have been trained in the same skills as Service Dogs, but are NOT granted public access qualifications due to not meeting our high standards of performance. The dogs assist their partners with every day, in-home tasks, such as opening doors, loading the clothes dryer, retrieving items off the floor),and Facility/Animal Assisted Therapy dogs on a case-by-case basis.

After we receive your completed application, our staff will review it. If you meet the criteria and we feel that you may benefit from one of our service dogs, an in-home interview will be arranged so that we may meet with you in person to get a better sense of your needs, abilities and living situation. If accepted as a client, you will be placed on the waiting list for the next suitable dog. If for any reason and at any time during the application process we determine we cannot provide an assistance dog to meet your needs or have concerns about the safety of yourself or a dog in a partnership, we will inform you immediately and the application process will be discontinued. These decisions will not be made lightly and as such will be final.

It is no small endeavor to produce a well-trained assistance dog. It costs between $20,000 - $25,000 to train and place each single service dog. Despite this expense, the life-changing benefits these dogs provide make them a valuable, in fact, invaluable resource to many seeking increased independence. We recognize that many people, though not all, living with disabilities often face financial restraints. While we cannot completely remove the costs, we are able to offset them through our training programs and various other means. Many friends, family members, employers, schools, churches or civic groups will often help to fundraise these amounts to cover your contribution for your dog. Assistance dogs win not only the hearts of their partners, but also the community!

- Application Fee: $25 (non-refundable)
- Placement Fee: $3,500 (This fee is waived for Veterans seeking a service dog through our Paw Corps Program)
- Partner Training Camp: All lunches, one movie, one dinner and lodging.

After Graduation:
On average, it costs approximately $1000 - $1,500 per year to care for your Service Dog
- Dog Food: Approximately $50 per month
- Regular Veterinary Care: monthly heartworm and flea/tick preventative (in Minnesota: 8 months a year); yearly immunizations. Your vet may offer a discount for a Service Dog. We estimate the cost of vet care to be approximately $500/year for well dog maintenance.
- Replacement equipment: including, but not limited to, packs, leashes, collars and bowls. PawPADs can provide most of these items to you at cost. Budget: $50/year.
- Toys and treats: approximately $150/year.

Because each dog is unique and trains differently than the next, it is difficult to predict with certainty the readiness of each dog for placement. Our goal is to have the dogs ready for placement between 18-24 months of age. Although we keep account of the order we receive applications, we place dogs based on the "best match" between dog and client so placements will not necessarily be done on a first come basis. Teams will be formed based on social/personality style matching to create the strongest bond possible and maximum opportunity for a long and successful partnership.

It costs $20-25,000 to raise and train an assistance dog, so we ask each client to help in the process by paying $3,500. However, we do not intend to deny you an assistance dog due simply to your lack of ability to pay. Again, many friends, family members, employers, schools, churches or civic groups will often help to raise these amounts to cover your contribution for your dog. We can provide advice and time-tested ideas for fundraising that really work!

It takes a year and a half to two years to train an assistance dog. The variation in time results from the dog's individual differences and abilities. Following the dog's training, there is a two week client placement training and specialized training as needed.

We primarily work with Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, along with other appropriate breeds.

Most of our dogs are approximately a year and a half of age when they are placed with a recipient.

Currently, Diabetic Alert Dogs are placed as the ONLY dog in the home. Other placements are considered on an case-by-case basis. However, we will consider placing our dogs with clients who have other pets at home, such as dogs, cats, birds, etc.