Handi-Dogs,
Inc.
An
Assistance Dog Training Organization
What is a Service or Assistance Dog?
A Service/Assistance dog is one half of a highly trained team. Working with their human partners, the dogs learn to carry out a range of practical tasks which disabled people find difficult or impossible to do by themselves.
Handi-Dogs, Inc.'s Certified Service/Assistance dogs have certain legal rights ensured by Federal and State law. Service/Assistance dogs may accompany their owners into any establishment or conveyance which serves the public.
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Handi-Dogs, Inc., Service/Assistance Dogs, behave well at home and in public, around people and other animals.
The key benefits a disabled person derives from partnering with a service dog are:
- Greater independence
- Renewed confidence
- Increased sense of security
- Improved health
- Companionship
Who Needs a Handi-Dog?
A person who would benefit from the companionship of a well-trained dog but who cannot, for physical reasons, participate in conventional dog training classes
Our clients include:
- People with physical disabilities such as (but not limited to) neuro-muscular disorders, congenital difficulties, developmental disabilities, arthritis, heart, and respiratory illnesses, cancer survival and post trauma difficulties.
- People with partial or total hearing loss. Sign language interpreters are provided when needed.
- People with partial or total loss of vision who do not work with guide dogs but would like to have the help of a service dog.
General public classes are for those who prefer the Handi-Dogs humane training method and wish to train their pets to be well-behaved companions at home and in public.
General Information:
Who Provides the Dog?
Handi-Dogs, Inc., does not provide dogs. Each client provides his or her own dog. Client and dog train together as a partnership.
Can Any Dog Become a Handi-Dog?
Handi-Dogs may be of almost any breed or mix, of any size, and of either sex.
Dogs accepted into the Handi-Dogs, Inc. Program range in age from very young to fully mature. To succeed at any level of training a dog needs a stable temperament, good physical and mental health.
Not all dogs who attend our classes become certified.
Some clients want only enough training to enable their dogs to be well-behaved companions. Some want their dogs to learn to help around the house. Some want their dogs to be reliable assistants both at home and in public, and these clients train their dogs to meet the Handi-Dogs service dog certification requirements.
What training method is used?
We teach our clients to train their own dogs using Handi-Dogs’clicker training, a non-coercive method based on positive reinforcement in which a "click" is used to mark desired behavior. Disability need not prevent clients from achieving their training goals. Equipment and procedures can be adapted so that each person can make the most of his or her abilities.
Classes are taught by experienced Handi-Dogs staff instructors and trained assistants. Dedicated, trained volunteers assist staff and clients. The ratio of client to instructor is low. Handi-Dogs Inc.,provides continuing support during and after completion of training to ensure long term success for each Handi-Dog partnership.
Program Information:
Assistance/Service Dog Training Program:
People with significant disabilities learn how to train their own dogs to become assistance dogs or certified service dogs.
Hearing Ear Dog Training Programs:
People with partial or total hearing loss learn how to train their own dogs to alert them to specific sounds and then to lead them to the source of the sound.
Vision Impairment Dog Training Program:
People with partial or total loss of vision train their dogs to become service dogs. Service Dogs are not guide dogs but they perform some guidance tasks as part of their service dog training.
General Public Obedience Classes:
Because of the enthusiastic response from the public to our Handi-Dogs method of training service dogs, we now offer dog training classes for the general public.
Beginning, intermediate, and advanced companion dog training classes are offered to active people of all ages. All classes use the "clicker" method of training.Class Content includes:
- Dog Management
- Behavior Issues
- Socialization to people and other dogs
- Just for fun: tricks and games.
Classes are held weekly for a period of eight weeks. Each class is 90 minutes long, with time for individual consultation. The cost for each eight week session is $100.00.
How do I apply?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be able and willing to attend classes regularly.
Be willing to work with their dogs between classes.
Agree to use approved training methods only.
Be able and willing to support and maintain their dogs
and to practice responsible dog ownership.
All dogs accepted for training must be currently immunized against rabies, DHL, bordatella, and parvo-virus. The Humane Society of Tucson offers low-cost immunization clinics.
All dogs eligible for certification must be spayed or neutered. The Humane Society of Tucson and Animal Crusaders offer low-cost sterilization services.
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