PLACEMENT & ADOPTION
PPP's vocational education programming includes service, facility, and therapy dog training. Purpose-bred puppies are identified, or dogs are rescued from shelters and live with Program Participants to receive daily training.
Service dogs are trained to assist those who experience mobility challenges, seizure-related disorders, and combat-related PTSD. Facility dogs are trained to provide service and support in clinical settings. Therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort and affection to ill, elderly, and trauma-impacted individuals. Dogs earn certifications from American Kennel Club (AKC) and Assistance Dogs International (ADI) while Program Participants earn certification to become ADI-accredited Service Dog Trainers.
When training is complete, service, facility, and therapy dogs are placed with community members at no cost. Dogs who do not pass certification requirements (as well as dogs and cats rescued from shelters) join PPP's Paroled Pet Program - ultimately adopted by loving families.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ASSISTANCE DOG, SERVICE DOG, FACILITY DOG, THERAPY DOG, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG?
An assistance dog is a generic term for a guide, hearing, or service dog specifically trained to do three or more tasks to mitigate the effects of an individual's disability.
A service dog works for individuals with disabilities other than blindness or deafness. Service dogs are trained to perform a wide variety of tasks including but not limited to; pulling a wheelchair, bracing, retrieving, alerting to a medical crisis, and providing assistance in a medical crisis.
A facility dog is specially trained to work with a volunteer or professional in a residential or clinic setting. The dog must be trained to do specific, skilled tasks in a variety of different situations within the facility environment with multiple clients.
A therapy dog is a pet trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to those it interacts with in many different settings.
An emotional support dog is a companion animal that provides emotional or therapeutic support to an individual with a mental health condition or emotional disorder simply by being present.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TRAIN A SERVICE, FACILITY, OR THERAPY DOG?
According to ADI, the cost of providing high quality training for assistance dogs is approximately $20,000 per animal.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RECEIVE A SERVICE, FACILITY, OR THERAPY DOG?
While dogs are placed at no cost, there is a non-refundable application fee of $150. If an application is approved, there is an additional non-refundable commitment fee of $150. Those who receive a dog are expected to provide food, enrichment, and regular veterinary care.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE A SERVICE. FACILITY, OR THERAPY DOG?
Dogs require two years of training before being placed, however, not all dogs pass their final exams to be certified. If this happens, PPP must start the process over again. It is not uncommon for individuals to wait three to five years before receiving a dog.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Residents of Washington State who require assistance from a service dog due to a disability or plan to use a facility or therapy dog to assist individuals in their community may apply. Residents of Washington State may apply for a Paroled Pet.
CAN PPP TRAIN MY DOG TO BE A SERVICE, FACILITY, OR THERAPY DOG?
Unfortunately, PPP does not train community pets to be service, facility, or therapy animals. Training is only provided to dogs PPP identifies in shelters or as purpose-bred puppies. However, if you would like your dog to receive basic skills training, check out PPP's Board and Train.
CAN I DONATE A DOG TO PPP?
Yes. PPP accepts donations of puppies and dogs. Please contact PPP's Service Dog Training Instructor at sam@prisonpetpartnership.org.