Service Dogs

We all value our independence!

Someone who is physically challenged values their independence even more, because the daily chores which we often take for granted are more difficult for someone with limited mobility.  Paws’itive Teams trains and places dogs specifically for persons with mobility limiting disabilities.

Our dogs are trained to:

• Retrieve items dropped or out of reach
• Bring the phone in emergencies or on command
• Retrieve a wheelchair out of reach
• Put trash in containers or laundry in a basket
• Open or close doors, drawers, cupboards
• Take clothes out of the dryer
• Prevent serious falls by helping an ambulatory partner transfer
• Activate adaptive switches to aid with daily living chores
• Aid in undressing, including removal of shoes or sweatshirt
• Perform other specialized tasks required

Visit to Petco Park with graduate Robin and his service dog Chauncey.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3e9LNmqcOA&feature=share&list=UUzCoYJ9Ad1Iy5IOWnOFvVbQ

We do not train and place dogs for the following:

• Seizure response
• Hearing alert
• Psychiatric disabilities
• Autism
• Developmental disabilities
• Diabetic Alert
• PTSD
• Guiding for visually impaired

Privately Owned Dogs: Our structure does not enable us to work with dogs not owned by Paws’itive Teams and cannot certify dogs not trained by Paws’itive Teams’ certified trainers. 

Eligibility Requirements: If you feel a service dog will significantly enhance your life and are able to answer the following questions with a Yes, we invite you to complete the on-line Pre-Application form.

1. Do you live in San Diego County with no plans of moving out of the area for at least 18 months?
2. Do you have a mobility limiting disability?
3. Are you physically and financially able to take full responsibility for the dog after certification?
4. Are you willing to commit to a four-month transition training, meeting with a trainer three times a week during this time?

Pre-Application form:  Click here to start your pre-application process. After receipt of this form, our Applicant Coordinator will contact you for additional information.

Financial Commitment:

The applicant will be required to pay a $50 non-refundable Application Fee.  Once a potential match has been identified, the applicant will be expected to contribute towards a portion of the cost of preparing the service dog during the two years it is in the training program.  The placement fee is $2,000.  Paws’itive Teams will provide help and guidance if assistance is needed to complete this requirement.  No person will be denied the opportunity to be considered as an applicant because of limited financial ability.  Applicants and graduates are not required to participate in fundraising or public relations activities to support PT.

The Matching Process:

We wish we could provide a dog to each person who contacts us, but we are careful not to make promises we can’t keep as the match between dog and disabled handler is an important part of the formula for a successful team.  We do not place dogs based on the date a person first contacts us.  Because we are a small program and cannot guarantee a match for every applicant, we urge individuals to apply to more than one organization.  We encourge you to check the website for Assistance Dogs International as they have links to all their members organizations.   www.assistancedogsinternational.org

Accreditation with Assistance Dogs International:  www.assistancedogsinternational.org

Paws’itive Teams is an accredited program with Assistance Dogs International and meets all minimum standards set by this organization.  We were first accredited in 2006 then received re-accreditation in 2010.

Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is a coalition of not for profit organizations that train and place Assistance Dogs. The purpose of ADI is to improve the areas of training, placement, and utilization of Assistance Dogs as well as staff and volunteer education. Members of ADI meet regularly to share ideas, attend seminars, and conduct business regarding such things as educating the public about Assistance Dogs, and the legal rights of people with disabilities partnered with Assistance Dogs, setting standards and establishing guidelines and ethics for the training of these dogs, and improving the utilization and bonding of each team.