Assistance Dog Program | Assistance Dog Types | In-Home Assistance Dogs | Owner-Trained Assistance Dogs | Assistance Dog Teams | Assistance Dogs in Training | Retired Assistance Dogs

Is an Assistance Dog Right for You?

Circle Tail provides primarily service and hearing dogs.

Age Policy

Our minimum age requirement is generally 10 (ten) years of age. Placement is based on maturity and the disability of the child. The child must be able to give clear commands and maintain control of their assistance dog at all times, including public places.

We receive a great number of inquiries about placement of assistance dogs with very young children. We understand and empathize with the challenges faced by parents with children with disabilities. While we would very much like to help parents and children with these challenges, younger children often do not have the cognitive function and maturity to work appropriately with an assistance dog.

NOTE: It generally takes us 12 – 18 months from the time of application to placement of an assistance dog. If your child is 8 ½ years of age or older, you may want to consider beginning the application process now.

Questions to Consider

Working with an assistance dog can be a rewarding and liberating experience. These wonderful animals can have a tremendous impact on your life. However, it can also prove to be a frustrating and demanding endeavor.

• Countless hours and money go into training and shaping each Circle Tail Assistance Dog. The dogs have been educated to perform certain skills and tasks. As the recipient of an assistance dog, it will become your responsibility to follow through with the training that started at Circle Tail. At this point you must ask yourself, “am I prepared to work with a dog to perform skills and reinforce behaviors everyday for the next 8 to 10 years?”
• Timing the receipt of your new assistance dog is crucial. If you have just started college, recently moved or planning to move, or started a new job, it is best to wait before obtaining an assistance dog. The first year with a new assistance dog is a critical period. It is best if you can give 100% of your time and attention to the assistance dog.
• The period of time that you spend at Circle Tail is referred to as “partnering” or “team training”. The four weekend period at the training center is intense, stressful and exhausting. You must ask yourself, “can I afford (time, money, energy) for the team training?" Unfortunately, there is no on-site lodging available. You will need to supply lodging, meals, and transportation to and from Circle Tail.
• As part of the partnering process, you will be required to complete 60 hours of classroom and hands on training on assistance dogs. Some of these hours will be completed through the four weekend partnership period.  Additional hours will be completed through attendance at public obedience classes conducted at Circle Tail. 

Please read the pre-application information thoroughly and carefully. We will pose several questions for you to consider.

1. Do you live in Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana, and reside within a 75 mile radius of Circle Tail? Special consideration may sometimes be made for individuals outside of our service radius and within Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana.
2. Are there any other dogs living in your home? Please note, we generally do not place assistance dogs in homes with young or adult dogs. Exceptions may be made for homes with senior dogs.
3. Will an assistance dog increase your independence and be able to assist you with everyday tasks?
4. Will you take your dog into public with you (i.e., work, school, restaurants, stores) at least once a week? If you are in need of a dog to assist you at home only, please consider contacting us about the possibility of an in-home assistance dog.
5. Are you able to financially provide for all care and supplies (including high-quality food) required for your canine partner? Costs can range from $500 to $1000 or more annually depending on the size and needs of the dog. You must plan in advance how you will afford it.
6. How will you provide DAILY exercise (at least one hour per day) for your dog? Please consider your living arrangements, physical condition, and family/friend support.
7. Are you able to attend partnering at Circle Tail? Partnership consists of four weekend sessions (Friday through Sunday) at Circle Tail. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide travel to and from Circle Tail, lodging, and meals costs.
8. Are you able to complete the 60 hours of required classroom and hands on training with assistance dogs? The four weekend partnership sessions will count toward the 60 hours.
9. Are there at least three people that would be able to care for your dog if you have an unexpected emergency arise and need to find someone to care for your dog for a short time?

What is Required After Partnership?

In addition to daily exercise, care, and working with your dog’s skills, we request additional requirements be met to maintain partnership. We don’t intend these items to be cumbersome for the recipient. We ask that the recipient demonstrate commitment to the assistance dog partnership by participating in activities that will improve their partnership experience.

• Maintain membership in the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) for the first three years of partnership (total costs for first three years is $40)
• Complete the Assistance Dogs International Public Access Test within the first year of partnership
• Obtain an Assistance Dog License as required by local laws
• Complete monthly progress reports the first 6 months of partnership and then yearly

If you have carefully considered the questions posed above and feel that an assistance dog is right for you, the next step in the process is to complete a pre-applicant questionnaire. Because there is a $25.00 non-refundable application fee, we use the pre-applicant questionnaire to ensure that the person would be appropriate for an assistance dog before we send an application packet.

Based on the results of the Pre-Application Questionnaire, an application may be provided. Following receipt of the completed application, we will contact the applicant to setup a time to visit Circle Tail. A home visit is the final step in the application process.

Please click here for the pre-applicant questionnaire.