About the Program
Specializing in psychiatric service dogs, as well as catering to multipurpose disabilities, this program offers a comprehensive approach to matching each client with a fully trained canine tailored to their specific lifestyle and needs. With a commitment to excellence, every dog in the program undergoes meticulous training, ensuring they are adept at assisting their future handlers with tasks vital to daily living.
The Puppy to Lifeline Program prioritizes the health and well-being of its canine participants, sourcing them exclusively from reputable breeders and conducting thorough health screenings, including hip and elbow X-rays, to ensure each dog is in optimal condition before placement. This dedication to quality extends to the post- placement phase, with ongoing support and guidance provided to both the client and their four-legged companion as they navigate their new life together. By combining expertise, compassion, and a commitment to excellence, the Puppy to Lifeline Program continues to make a profound difference in the lives of those it serves, one partnership at a time.
The Matching Process
At K9 Lifelines, we prioritize the well-being and compatibility of both our dogs and clients. Before initiating the matching process, all our dogs undergo thorough training and assessment to ensure they are ready for client-specialized training. We carefully consider factors such as temperament, energy levels, and the dog’s individual strengths and weaknesses to create successful matches.
Due to the individualized nature of our matching process and the limited number of graduates each year, we cannot provide a specific timeframe for when a dog will be available for your specific needs. However, we prioritize clients based on their application date. If the dog we are currently matching isn’t a suitable candidate for the first client we will move down the waitlist or encourage new individuals to apply.
If we identify a potential match, we will arrange a short trial for the team period in the client’s home. This trial allows the client to gauge the dog’s energy requirements and personality, ensuring compatibility.
A trial fee of $350 will be due which will be due prior to any trial placements. This fee helps to cover various expenses, including the time our trainers dedicate to evaluating whether a dog is a suitable match for you, travel expenses, in-home training during trial placements, and transportation for pick-up.
Please note, this $350 fee will be deducted from the total cost of your service dog should you decide to proceed with your match after the trial.
Placement
Upon successful completion of the trial period, a non-refundable deposit of $6,000 is required to secure the match. This deposit will only be refunded if K9 Lifelines determines that the dog is not a suitable match for the client during team training.
Subsequently, custom task training tailored to the client’s specific needs will commence, which may take several additional months.
Once the dog is fully trained and ready for placement, an additional fee will be due. Team training typically lasts 1-3 weeks, to ensure seamless integration and effective collaboration prior to Graduation.
K9 Lifelines offers lifetime support and is invested in the success of our teams. We offer check in with all our graduates teams every 6 months and re-testing every 18 months, to ensure our teams continue to meet our high standards.
Costs, Accessibility, and Payment Plans
We understand that investing in a service dog is a significant commitment. While our current fundraising efforts only cover a small portion of the total $25,000 fee, we are dedicated to expanding our fundraising initiatives to make our service dogs more accessible in the future. We work closely with clients supporting their individual fundraising efforts and to develop personalized payment plans to ensure our service dogs are accessible to those who need them.
*Fee’s may vary based on the clients unique needs
How to Apply
The first step in applying to our Puppy to Lifeline program is to complete our Written Application Form. This allows us to gain insights into your lifestyle and needs, enabling us to determine if we have a dog that would be a suitable fit for you. K9 Lifelines is committed to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities through the use of service dogs. If you are ready to embark on this life-changing journey, we encourage you to take the first step by submitting your application today.
A PDF version of our Application is also available by emailing angela@k9lifelines.ca
