Frequently Asked Questions
01
Can I use my own dog?
Yes, you can use your personal dog. They are required to be up to date on their vaccinations, spayed or neutered, and under the age of four. Also, our trainers will conduct a test of your dog's temperament for suitability to be a Service Dog.
03
How much does the program cost?
As a non-profit, training is of no cost to the veteran. Purchasing a dog, most equipment, healthcare and food is the veterans own financial responsibility though
02
How old does my dog need to be to start training?
The earlier we start training the better. Our program can start a dog as early as 9 weeks old as the puppy is very moldable at this age and the bond between owner and service dog can really be influenced in a positive way
04
How long does training take?
Our program is anywhere from 6 months to one year long. This is all depending on the dog, the veteran and the disability the dog is training to assist with. We have a 6 month minimum requirement, but there is no set timeline; as we work with our veterans one on one and every service dog team progresses at a different pace
05
What if I don’t have a dog yet?
Paws 4 Liberty will take the veteran through a few weeks of handling skills training sessions with our demo dogs on property to find out the best breed that fits the veterans disability, needs and lifestyle first. Once the trainer has a better understanding of the veteran and their disability, we will search local rescues to find the best service dog prospect for the veteran. On rare occasions Paws 4 Liberty accepts dogs that are donated to the program and our veterans are first candidates for donated dogs.
08
Are all dogs in Service Dog Vests considered Service Dogs?
The ADA does not require Service Dogs to wear vests or display identification, but some may wear vests, special harnesses, collars or tags. Many dogs that do wear ID vests or tags are not actual Service Dogs.
11
If I have a smaller dog, are they allowed to be placed in a shopping cart or on a seat next to me in a restaurant?
No, the dog must stay on the floor and heel next to you. Seating is provided for customer use only and carts are for store items only and children that fit in safety seating.
06
What is a Service Dog?
A Service Dog helps a person with a disability lead a more independent life. According to the ADA, a Service Dogs is “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability”. A Service Dog is trained to take a specific action that helps mitigate an individual’s disability. The task the dog performs is directly related to their person’s disability.
09
Are Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) considered Service Dogs?
NO. ESAs are animals that just provide comfort just by being with a person, but these dogs are not trained to perform a specific job or task for a person with a disability, they do not qualify as Service Dogs under the ADA and they have no public access rights.
12
Does my Service Dog have to be registered?
No, officially there is no registry for Service Dogs. Everything you see online or on “Google” is a scam to take your money.
07
Are there certain breeds that make good Service Dogs?
There isn’t a specific breed over another that makes a good Service Dog. Regardless of the breed or mix, the best Service Dogs are handler-focused, desensitized to distractions, and highly trained to reliably perform specific tasks. They are not easily diverted from their tasks at home or in public and remain attentive and responsive to their owners while working. Big and small dogs can be legitimate task trained service animals.
10
Does the ADA require that service animals be certified as service animals?
No. Covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry.
There are individuals and organizations that sell service animal certification or registration documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal.
13
Does Paws 4 Liberty accept donated dogs?
Paws 4 Liberty does accept donated dogs, but we do not keep them on property to find homes for them. We can only accept donated dogs if we have a veteran on a waitlist looking for that specific breed that fits their needs and disability and if the dog fits the qualifications of our program.