Nelci C. and her ESD Toby (Belgium Shepherd).
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Frequently Asked QuestionsBelow are some of the most frequently asked questions about service dogs, emotional support dogs, training your own dog, donating dogs to True Blue Service Dogs, etc.
If your questions are not in the list, do not hesitate to contact us. We will do our best to reply to your question within 48 hours. |
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What are the requirements to receive a True Blue dog (service or ES)?
You must submit an application and be able to spend two days in San Diego, CA at your own expenses to meet and greet with Lead Trainer and our dogs. The application contains a section for your physician/therapist to indicate that you have a condition listed in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Do I have to pay for a service dog?
True Blue Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization created exclusively to provide service dogs and emotional support dogs to those in need who cannot afford the full cost for acquiring such dogs. However, we have an application fee ($45), and we ask you that, at the time of submitting your contract, you send a deposit of $450 to be placed in our waiting list. This deposit is non-refundable. See Apply for Dog for more details.
Will you train my own dog?
No. Although your dog might have all the characteristics needed for service and support, at True Blue Service Dogs we select our own service dogs based on temperament, structural soundness, and healthy genetics.
Do you offer classes for people to train their own service dogs?
No, we don't.
Do you train service and support dogs for people who are not veterans?
Yes, we train dogs for all adults and children in need of one.
What is the minimum age required to receive a dog?
Our experience is that children older than 6 begin to benefit with a service dog, an adult must be the assigned handler for the dog. However, as stated in the Apply for a Dog section, we want you to talk to us before purchasing an application for a child.
How do you manage your waiting lists?
First come first served. We take the match between dog and future owner seriously. Therefore, even though you are first on the list you might not get the next dog because that dog might be better suited for another type of disability. It could also happen that we have a dog for your type of disability but your personalities do not match. We will move that dog to the next person in line while diligently look for the best companion for you. We hope you understand the flexible dynamic of our list because you are partnering with another sentient being for the next 10-12 years.
If I make a large donation, do I get moved to first in line?
Although we certainly will appreciate your donation, it would not be ethical to change your place in the waiting list. As we said above, first come first served.
How long do I need to wait to receive my dog?
The average wait time is 24-30 months for a service dogs, and 4 to 6 months for an emotional support dog from the moment you are approved.
What breed will my dog be?
True Blue Service Dogs are Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Labradoodle, and Great Danes.. When we rescue dogs, we look for these breeds or dogs with a mix of any of these breeds.
I have other dog(s) in the house, will that be a problem?
In this case, and depending on the disability for which we will provide a service dog, we evaluate the resident dog and we advise you on whether it would be a good or bad idea to add another dog to your household.
I have a litter of puppies, may I donate them to True Blue Service Dogs?
We look for very specific characteristics and temperament for our True Blue Service Dogs, and we would be happy to look at your puppies. However, we make our selection of puppies very early in their development. Thus, let us know when the dam gives birth and we can arrange one of our trainers to visit you if you are in the Southern California area.
Do you foster your puppies until they learn basic obedience?
No. Unlike many other programs, we do not foster our puppies. All training is done at our facilities, and we start at a very young age.
Can I select my own dog?
No. We will learn about your lifestyle and personality, family living with you, environment, etc., and we will use our extensive experience to select the True Blue Service Dog that would be best for you.
Do your service dogs for PTSD and Panic Attacks perform tasks to protect me?
No, a service dog cannot have a defense drive and use as an attack dog. However, we teach our dogs to clear a room, turn on lights, and create a perimeter around you. Although other schools training PTSD dogs believe this is not desirable, in our experience, recovery happens faster when one does not need to worry about certain things. This does not mean that our PTSD dogs are guard dogs. We do not train protection dogs. Instead, our dogs will alert you of the presence of someone in the room, but it will not attack that person.
How do I receive the dog once it is trained?
One of our trainers will fly the dog to your location and remain there for 5 to 10 days or you will be required to spend 10 days at True Blue Service Dogs facilities learning how to communicate and live with your new partner. You must pay for all your travel and lodging expenses. Therefore, before applying for a dog, ensure that you can afford this potential expense.
If you have any other question, please do not hesitate to contact us.
You must submit an application and be able to spend two days in San Diego, CA at your own expenses to meet and greet with Lead Trainer and our dogs. The application contains a section for your physician/therapist to indicate that you have a condition listed in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Do I have to pay for a service dog?
True Blue Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization created exclusively to provide service dogs and emotional support dogs to those in need who cannot afford the full cost for acquiring such dogs. However, we have an application fee ($45), and we ask you that, at the time of submitting your contract, you send a deposit of $450 to be placed in our waiting list. This deposit is non-refundable. See Apply for Dog for more details.
Will you train my own dog?
No. Although your dog might have all the characteristics needed for service and support, at True Blue Service Dogs we select our own service dogs based on temperament, structural soundness, and healthy genetics.
Do you offer classes for people to train their own service dogs?
No, we don't.
Do you train service and support dogs for people who are not veterans?
Yes, we train dogs for all adults and children in need of one.
What is the minimum age required to receive a dog?
Our experience is that children older than 6 begin to benefit with a service dog, an adult must be the assigned handler for the dog. However, as stated in the Apply for a Dog section, we want you to talk to us before purchasing an application for a child.
How do you manage your waiting lists?
First come first served. We take the match between dog and future owner seriously. Therefore, even though you are first on the list you might not get the next dog because that dog might be better suited for another type of disability. It could also happen that we have a dog for your type of disability but your personalities do not match. We will move that dog to the next person in line while diligently look for the best companion for you. We hope you understand the flexible dynamic of our list because you are partnering with another sentient being for the next 10-12 years.
If I make a large donation, do I get moved to first in line?
Although we certainly will appreciate your donation, it would not be ethical to change your place in the waiting list. As we said above, first come first served.
How long do I need to wait to receive my dog?
The average wait time is 24-30 months for a service dogs, and 4 to 6 months for an emotional support dog from the moment you are approved.
What breed will my dog be?
True Blue Service Dogs are Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Labradoodle, and Great Danes.. When we rescue dogs, we look for these breeds or dogs with a mix of any of these breeds.
I have other dog(s) in the house, will that be a problem?
In this case, and depending on the disability for which we will provide a service dog, we evaluate the resident dog and we advise you on whether it would be a good or bad idea to add another dog to your household.
I have a litter of puppies, may I donate them to True Blue Service Dogs?
We look for very specific characteristics and temperament for our True Blue Service Dogs, and we would be happy to look at your puppies. However, we make our selection of puppies very early in their development. Thus, let us know when the dam gives birth and we can arrange one of our trainers to visit you if you are in the Southern California area.
Do you foster your puppies until they learn basic obedience?
No. Unlike many other programs, we do not foster our puppies. All training is done at our facilities, and we start at a very young age.
Can I select my own dog?
No. We will learn about your lifestyle and personality, family living with you, environment, etc., and we will use our extensive experience to select the True Blue Service Dog that would be best for you.
Do your service dogs for PTSD and Panic Attacks perform tasks to protect me?
No, a service dog cannot have a defense drive and use as an attack dog. However, we teach our dogs to clear a room, turn on lights, and create a perimeter around you. Although other schools training PTSD dogs believe this is not desirable, in our experience, recovery happens faster when one does not need to worry about certain things. This does not mean that our PTSD dogs are guard dogs. We do not train protection dogs. Instead, our dogs will alert you of the presence of someone in the room, but it will not attack that person.
How do I receive the dog once it is trained?
One of our trainers will fly the dog to your location and remain there for 5 to 10 days or you will be required to spend 10 days at True Blue Service Dogs facilities learning how to communicate and live with your new partner. You must pay for all your travel and lodging expenses. Therefore, before applying for a dog, ensure that you can afford this potential expense.
If you have any other question, please do not hesitate to contact us.