Canine Companions

Canine Companions for independence

Shepherd Center’s Canine Companions for Independence Greater Atlanta Chapter is an accredited program that gives trained dogs to their companion for free following an interview process. With more than three dozen learned commands, Canine Companion dogs are primarily for skilled companionship, providing help by retrieving and/or delivering items, tugging, pushing, and/or pulling light weights, and turning lights on and off.

Assistance provided by service dogs

Service dogs provide assistance for people with disabilities other than vision or hearing deficits. Service dogs may be used to help people with mobility impairments, balance deficits, autism, seizures, low blood sugar, or psychiatric disorders. For users of manual or power wheelchairs, service dogs can provide assistance with tasks such as retrieving items, opening things, switch use, transfer assistance, and barking for notification.

These dogs are not trained as guide dogs for the blind; to anticipate or detect medical symptoms, including seizure or diabetic alerts; for the primary benefit of emotional comfort or social support; to recognize and/or manage undesirable human behavior; to provide supervision, navigation, or safety from environmental hazards; to respond aggressively or provide personal protection; or to assist with the management of mental illness as a primary condition.

Shepherd Center’s facility dogs program helps motivate onsite patients to reach their therapy goals through support and companionship.

“A service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability,” according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Title II and Title III of the ADA currently state service animals are limited to dogs with the exception of miniature horses. The ADA does not protect emotional support and comfort animals.

Service dogs may be rescued from animal shelters or selectively bred. The majority of service dogs are golden retrievers or Labrador retrievers. These dogs are raised by volunteers and receive formal service training.

  • 90% response rate to commands on first ask
  • Basic obedience skills
  • Consistent performance in home and community
  • Trained in at least three tasks specific to owner to address disability

Service dog programs must meet the standards set by Assistance Dogs International:

  • The assistance dog program must conduct monthly follow-up for first six months of ownership.
  • Identification of service dog as laminated ID card with photo, tags, and best
  • Staff demonstrate educational training yearly reviewing multiple disabilities.
  • Clients chosen must adhere to Assistance Dogs International standards.
  • Dogs must be spayed or neutered and remain current with vaccination.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply for a service dog. Applicants who are 25 years or older with a stable home life are most suitable. Additionally, applicants must be at least one year past their injury.

The organization Canine Companions can only accept a limited number of applicants per year. Many individuals are in need, so the nonprofit must determine and select those individuals who would benefit the most from the trained tasks performed by its assistance dogs. The complete process can take several years.

  1. Application request: Fill out the online form to request an application.
  2. Application submission: Complete the full application to request a service dog.
  3. Telephone interview: Talk with a Canine Companions staff member about needs and interests.
  4. Medical or professional reference forms: Ask your physician or therapist to complete required paperwork.
  5. Personal interview: Meet in person with a Canine Companions staff member to discuss interest and evaluate dog temperament needs.
  6. Selection review: Qualified applicants receive acceptance paperwork and are placed on the waitlist.
  7. Invitation to team training: Accepted applicants attend a two-week Team Training class to be matched and train with your assistance dog.

Continue Exploring

You're on Shepherd Center's patient education website. For our hospital's main website, please visit shepherd.org.