Our Clients
Our clients are the heart of our program and the reason we exist at all. We place Service Dogs with clients that face the challenge of mobility disabilities, Hearing Dogs with clients that are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Facility Therapy Dogs with caregivers and professionals that work or volunteer in a therapeutic setting(s).
Team Training
The length of Team Training classes depends on the type of dog being placed (1-2 weeks) and are in most cases conducted at the PADS training facility in Burnaby, BC. The waiting period for a client, if accepted into the program, varies by type of dog (Service/Hearing/Facility-Therapy). Dogs are not placed in a first come first serve order, when a dog is nearing completion of his/her training they are then matched to the client on our wait list who is most suited to their personality and strengths.
Dogs in the class are fully trained, and have passed a rigorous pre-placement test. The purpose of Team training is to teach the client the knowledge and skills they will require to utilize and take care of a PADS assistance dog. Several client/dog teams participate in these training classes. There is some individual instruction during the course; however, the majority of teaching is done with lectures, group practice sessions and field trips. All lectures, individual instruction, and written class materials for Team Training are given in English.
During Team Training
During Team Training, clients learn to manage the assistance dog's behaviour, to direct the dog to respond to commands it has learned, and to assume responsibility for maintaining the health and well-being of the dog. Students need to demonstrate proficiency in all these areas in order to go home with an assistance dog.
Clients must attend team training in its entirety in order to be considered for placement. Clients need to be prepared to handle the travel and expense of attending team training. For out of town clients (and in-town clients - space permitting) lodging is provided in our fully accessible client centre. Clients need to demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively handle and care for the dog by the completion of the course. PADS reserves the right NOT to make a placement with any student team that cannot demonstrate these skills.
Graduation
Each year a graduation is held to celebrate the accomplishment of the new team. At the graduation ceremony the assistance dog's puppy raiser will hand over the leash to the new client. It's amazing to see how many people who have "given" the clients each wonderful dog....from the breeder or caretaker that loved the newborn for 8 weeks and the puppy-raiser that gave their hearts and home for a full year to the sponsors who financed the training of the puppy and new team. This is an emotional day, with many family, friends and supporters attending to wish the team well in their new life together.
Think an Assistance Dog is right for you?
After years of working with our clients and assistance dogs, we've learned that while it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, it will also challenge you physically and emotionally in ways you may not expect. As you embark on this adventure, we'd like to ask you to read through Is an Assistance Dog Right for You? before you move forward with completing a client inquiry form.