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Full member of Assistance Dogs International, Inc.
Major Sponsor of the Assistance Dog Program. THANKS IAMS!!!
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What types of Assistance Dogs does Circle Tail train? Circle Tail trains the following types of Assistance Dogs:
How much does a Circle Tail dog cost? A Circle Tail dog and training is at no cost to the individual. It is estimated that it costs an organization between $8,000 and $10,000 to successfully train and partner one dog/person team. There is a $25.00 non-refundable application fee, plus a nominal fee for supplies at the time of partnering. All applicants must demonstrate that the dog will be properly cared for both physically and financially and agree to certain responsibilities. How are Circle Tail dogs obtained? Circle Tail receives its puppies / dogs through donations from families, breeders, humane societies, county shelters, or rescued as strays. Circle Tail promotes the use of unwanted puppies / dogs to help make their lives enjoyable and purposeful. Circle Tail will not purchase puppies / dogs for its program. Selected puppies / dogs are of a size able to do the work required and of a breed or mix that is easy to groom and train. The puppy / dog must be confident and willing to work. They also must be good with other dogs, cats and people of all ages. What breeds of dogs does Circle Tail train? In general, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and German Shepherds make the best assistance dogs. However, Circle Tail doesn't necessarily focus on the specific breed of the dog so much as making sure the dog has the right temperament for assistance work. Dogs are carefully evaluated during the selection process and those dogs that have the character to be a working dog are selected for the program. Assistance dogs can be pure breeds, mixed breeds, large dogs, or small dogs. How are Circle Tail Dogs trained? Circle Tail dogs receive their training through the Inmate/Canine Educational Program. Circle Tail works with the Lebanon, London, Ohio Reformatory for Women, and Ross Correctional Institutes in Ohio. The inmates are responsible for all of the puppies'/ dogs' physical and emotional needs. They oversee their social development and instruct them in good house manners and basic and advanced obedience. Dogs receive critical socialization and refinement of their advanced obedience commands through the Foster Family Program. Dogs are placed in foster families where they are socialized around everyday experiences they otherwise don't experience through the prison program. Families work with the dogs in their home and public places making sure to use their advanced service skills. Dogs are carefully tracked throughout their training by Circle Tail trainers. How long do Circle Tail dogs work? Most dogs are partnered between 2 - 3 years of age. The average "work" life of an assistance dog is 6 - 8 years. When the dog "retires", he/she may remain with the disabled person as a pet or return to Circle Tail. How are Circle Tail dogs funded? Circle Tail is supported entirely by public contributions. Circle Tail receives no government funding. Financial support of Circle Tail is tax deductible as allowed by law. How can I sponsor an Assistance Dog? To sponsor a Circle Tail
Assistance Dog, please print the attached form and send with your
tax deductible contribution to the address on the
bottom of the form. We thank you for your
generosity and consideration and our dogs thank
you as well!
You can also consider sponsoring an
Assistance Dog Team Starter Tote. Circle
Tail would like to provide "Team Starter Totes" to newly
partnered assistance dog teams to help them on a successful path to
partnership. Totes include
start-up supplies such as a collar with ID tag, leash, toy, assistance dog
vest or harness, some grooming supplies, 6 months worth of heartworm and
flea/tick control medication, 1 month supply of food, membership in the
International Association of Assistance Dog Partners and more! Approximate
cost for each tote is $350. Sponsors will receive a photo of the
assistance dog team they helped. Back to Home |
