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Frequently Asked Questions
About PADS Dogs
Are Assistance Dogs allowed to go everywhere?
In B.C. PADS dogs are protected under the BC Guide Animal Act (1990). This act protects PADS clients from being discriminated against because of their disability (and therefor allows their dog access as an adaptive aid). Puppies-in-training do not have the same legal rights as the certified working dog, but the government realizes that puppies-in-training do not become assistance dogs without daily socialization in the human "world" of malls, restaurants, movie theaters, doctors office, etc beginning at a very early age. They issue puppies-in-training government identification to help ensure they receive as much public access as possible.
At what age will the dog retire and what happens to him or her?
The dog will usually work for up to 8 years and will then retire to the client or their family. If that is not possible, PADS will find a suitable home with either the dog's puppy-raiser or another pre-screened family. Hearing dogs tend to work longer though as they live longer. The dogs will let us know when they are ready to retire. When they start to slow down or show signs of not working, we allow them to retire, so the 8 years is a guideline and dogs are always assessed on a case by case basis.
What happens to the dogs that do not qualify for the program and can I adopt one?
A common misunderstanding is that dogs that do not qualify to be trained as assistance dogs are perfect. This is simply not so, or they would have been placed. Dogs are released for a number of reasons, including temperament and health concerns. If the dog was donated by a breeder they have first refusal for taking the dog back. If this is not the case, we do maintain a list of families with a disabled child or other disabled family member who are interested in a well-trained companion who did not qualify for our program. Dogs that go into this program are referred to as VIP's (Very Important Pets). Other dogs may be suitable for other working careers such as detection, border services and police work and will be assessed for usability by those groups. If dogs cannot be placed in either of these groups and the puppy-raiser turns them down, we will offer them to the general public. They can complete an application form online. They must also understand that the dog will have health health or temperament issues.
What types of dogs do you use?
We use mostly Labrador Retrievers (75%) and Golden Retrievers (25%) for service dogs. For hearing dog candidates, we are looking for dogs between 15 and 30 lbs when full-grown with a high activity level and a keen interest in sounds. These dogs are typically breeds that enjoy being active and working. Hearing dogs include Shetland Sheepdogs, Schipperkes, Miniature Poodles, Smooth Fox Terriers and any other small dog with a high sound drive and activity level. Therapy dogs can be any of these breeds that have a suitable temperament.
What are the differences between service, facility/therapy and hearing dogs?
Service dogs are larger dogs that can assist a person that may be in a wheelchair or have a balance problem. These dogs are taught to pick up and retrieve items, open and close doors and cupboards, turn off and on lights, pull a wheelchair, help a person in and out of bed and carry items. They also act as a post to help their partner up and down stairs or as a lift if a person falls over.
Facility/Therapy dogs are placed with a professional caregiver in a nursing home or long-term care facility. They are also used in other areas such as counselling, and animal assisted therapy.
Hearing dogs are smaller dogs that are placed with persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and are trained to alert them to sounds such as the smoke alarm, the doorbell, the telephone, the kettle, the oven timer, a cell phone and a baby crying.
Do you train guide dogs or seizure alert dogs?
No, but there are many guide dog schools in North America that train guide dogs. Seizure response dogs and those that alert are not common. Visit the Assistance Dogs International site for more information (www.assistancedogsinternational.com).
Where do you get your puppies?
PADS has their own breeding program and the majority of our service dogs come from there. We also accept donated puppies from other Assistance Dog schools and breeders. Most of our hearing dogs come from breeders or rescues and animal shelters.
How old are the dogs when they begin training?
Puppies generally enter the program at 8 weeks of age.
Are PADS dogs spayed or neutered?
Yes, at 8 months of age and at the same time they have preliminary x-rays of their hips unless they are being considered for our breeding program.
How does the dog adapt when he arrives for advanced training?
There is a short adjustment period for some dogs, but as a rule, the dogs do much better than the raisers. The dogs always have lots of playtime, both in the kennel and at local leash free areas, and new dogs always go home with the instructors to create an immediate bond. They are always given time to adjust before skill training begins.
What is the value of PADS' dogs?
Service dogs have a value of up to $35,000.00. This includes the costs associated with obtaining/breeding the dog, raising, training, placement and follow up throughout the dogs working life.
How does your breeding program work?
Potential breeding dogs are raised just like all our puppies, but aren't spayed or neutered and are assessed for temperament and health when they return to PADS for advanced training (at approximately a year of age). Those that meet these standards will be placed with a volunteer breeder caretaking family where they live throughout their working life as a breeder. When they retire from the breeding program they will be spayed and remain with this family as a pet. Breeding dogs have approximately 5 litters in their lifetime.
What are puppy-raisers?
The volunteer puppy-raiser is a person or family responsible to teach the dog basic obedience and to socialize it. A puppy is placed in their home after a screening process and will live with them until the dog is ready for advanced training (at around a year). Puppy-raisers must be willing to attend weekly obedience classes for the duration of the commitment so you can be taught how to train our puppy.
Can I pet your dog?
Working dogs with a client shouldn't be approached as this distracts them from their work. Puppies in training can be petted if you ask first. The puppy must be in a sit and please don't be offended if the handler asks you to stop petting the dog if it gets too excited or gets up, this is how we teach the puppy to be well behaved...petting is a “reward” and if the dog is not showing good manners the reward has to be removed.
Can I give your dog a treat?
No. Our dogs are fed only at meal times and by the handler, so they do not learn to scavenge. This also helps to monitor the dog's general health. In addition, the dogs are trained with food so it is important that they only receive food from the person at the end of their leash. Service dogs can be released for taking food from a stranger.
How can you give them up?
It is not easy for puppy-raisers to see them go, but we do live through it. Once you see them working with their partner, it is a very satisfying feeling to know that you have helped another person change their life for the better. A working dog cannot be raised in a kennel - they must have a loving, one-on-one start and lots of socialization in their life. Most puppy-raisers find that it helps if we take on another puppy right away.
Does your dog get any playtime?
Yes, our dogs and puppies-in-training get lots of exercise and it is important for them to do so. If a recipient is not able to exercise their dog, they will have a caregiver who will do so. The puppies in training quickly learn the difference between having their cape on (working) and not having their cape on (free/playtime).
Does your dog bite?
No, and if he/she showed any tendencies to be aggressive, they would be released. PADS dogs are not taught to be protective in any way.
Why is your dog wearing a muzzle?
It is not a muzzle, it is an EasyWay Collar, a Halti or a Gentle Leader which is another form of a training tool, such as a slip collar. It is used primarily to train dogs who tend to forge ahead.
How does your dog know what elevator button to push?
They don't, but they will get the right floor eventually!
General/Administration Questions
I own my dog and would like to have it certified as my assistance dog.
The current British Columbia Guide Animal Act Legislation does not allow for an individual to certify their privately trained dog as an assistance dog. The dog must be raised and trained by a government recognized school. This is for a number of reasons, but among the most important is that the Government has to ensure that the dogs that have public access have demonstrated over their training period (between 8 months and 2.5 years) to have a stable, non-aggressive temperament, and good health as determined by hip x-rays and consistent vet checks. Unfortunately, it is often difficult for individuals to be objective about their own dogs, and not all dogs are born to be assistance dogs (Even though we breed specifically for the temperament we need only 50% of the dogs ultimately are placed with clients). It also protects the schools, as we are responsible for insuring all of the dogs we place, and therefore must be confident that they do not pose any risk to the public. Finally, it protects our clients, who know that all certified dogs that are entering businesses can be reasonably expected to uphold the same level of public etiquette and behaviour as their own dogs.
I would like to breed my dog and donate the puppies to PADS
Many kind-hearted individuals would like to donate the use of their dog for the PADS breeding program. While we are incredibly indebted to these individuals for their generosity of spirit, not all dogs are suitable for our program, and we strongly believe that in order to achieve the best results we have to start with the best dogs. Likewise, not all breeds are suitable as assistance dogs, and we only choose to breed those dogs whose breed is established in assistance dog work, not breeds who have yet to "prove" themselves. The breeds that we use on a regular basis include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Smooth Fox Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) and Schipperkes.
Can I donate/raise a dog for a specific person on your waiting list?
Sorry, we do not allow individuals or organizations to donate a puppy for a specific applicant on our waiting list, as this negates our "non-profit" status by allowing applicants to bypass the waiting list. This also applies to someone wanting to puppy-raise a dog for a specific applicant, or to someone who is willing to pay for a specific puppy's training to have it targeted for a specific individual. All of our dogs are placed based on their temperament and their strengths and the personality and needs of the client. This allows each client to get the dog best suited to their needs and living situation. Only the best puppies graduate (ensuring the quality of the end result), so if we functioned in this way, many clients may be left without a dog or be placed with a dog that is completely unsuitable.
How do I become a PADS dog trainer?
PADS is a very small charity, and career opportunities seldom arise. Generally, schools like to hire from within their volunteer base, as they can be assured that they are getting someone who is committed to staying with the organization for the long run. Training involves a four year paid apprenticeship. Any experience with dogs, dog training and in particular, working with people with disabilities is an asset. Although the market is small and difficult to break into in Canada, there are a large number of assistance dog schools in the United States, some of which also offer Instructors Training Courses for interested parties. Two of these schools are Assistance Dogs Institute and Canine Companions for Independence.
I would like an assistance dog but do not live in the region PADS services. Could you refer me to another school?
To find a school in your area that maintains the same high standards and code of ethics as PADS, please visit
Assistance Dogs International
Do you provide dogs for BC only?
No. PADS places dogs throughout western Canada (from BC to Manitoba).
How many placements take place in a year?
This past year we placed a record number of dogs with clients. Our current graduation year saw 16 teams and 3 breeding dogs graduate. About 50 per cent of the dogs make it through the program.
Do you do presentations for groups?
We have a group of volunteers and staff who do presentations to the public. We try to fill as many requests as we can based on availability. If you are open on times and dates, we can usually find the time. Because we are a charity, we ask that a small donation be made to PADS for the presentation.
Client Information
Who is eligible to apply for an assistance dog?
People with physical disabilities or have impaired hearing who can demonstrate that a working dog will enhance their independence or their quality of life are qualified to apply. Also eligible are professionals working for organizations that provide physical or mental health care to clients who will benefit from interaction with a facility dog.
How can a person apply for an assistance dog?
Applicants are asked to write, e-mail or fax a short autobiographical letter to PADS outlining their disability, their lifestyle and how they think a dog could help them. They can also apply for an application online. If the instructors believe that one of our dogs would be of assistance to them, they are sent a formal application package. After a completed application package is returned, the individual is interviewed and placed on our waiting list.
How long is the waiting list?
Is between 1-3 years. Placement is not determined on a first-come-first-serve basis, but rather matching the needs of the applicant and the skills and personality of the dog are of the uppermost concern.
How old must you be to apply?
Most of our service dogs are placed with adults, but children could expect to receive a dog at 16 years of age if they can instruct and be responsible for their own working dog. Hearing dogs are placed with those 18 years and older.
Can I apply for a dog on behalf of my friend/relative?
No. Getting an assistance dog is a huge commitment and has to be the decision of the individual. An application completed by the third party will only be accepted if the applicant is unable to write due to their disability.
What kind of training does the client receive?
For service dogs, there is a 2 week training session that takes place daily at the centre. For hearing and facility/therapy dogs, there is a 3 day training session at the centre and then 2 more days in the home or facility. We do regular follow-ups and assessments throughout the dog's working life to see that the dog is continuing to do his work and if the dog and/or client needs our help, we bring them back for "tune-ups". It is very important to us that the dog is kept working as they will very quickly drop their skills if not motivated.
What are the costs to the client?
Currently, PADS applicants pay a non-refundable $50.00 application fee and at the beginning of team training clients currently pay a $200.00 course fee. We provide all supplies such as bowls, leashes, packs or vests.
