It is the mission of Animal Farm Foundation to secure equal treatment and opportunity for “pit bull” dogs. In an effort to meet that mission, Animal Farm Foundation has established a Service Dog Training program so rescued and sheltered “pit bull” dogs can be considered for the same work traditionally reserved for pure bred, purpose bred dogs.

Animal Farm Foundation is accepting submissions for our Assistance Dog Training Program. Dogs accepted into our program will be transported to Animal Farm Foundation at our own expense. Ownership of the dog must be transferred to Animal Farm Foundation for training to occur. The dog will be trained by a Certified Assistance Dog Trainer and will be matched with a client who meets the requirements established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for service dog eligibility. All dogs and clients will receive training support for the duration of the match.* There is no cost to the client for the dog or for the support training.

TO BE ELIGIBLE:

• The dog must be homeless and residing in a shelter or rescue.
  
  
• The dog must be a “pit bull” dog.**
  
  
• The dog must be physically sound with good bone structure.
  
  
• Estimated age should be between 15 months and 3 years.

 
REQUIREMENTS:

• The dog must be tolerant with all handling that may be done by the client including nail trims, teeth cleaning, ear cleaning, grooming, etc.
  
  
• The dog must tolerate the presence of all other animals, of any kind.
  
  
• The dog must be tolerant of all people.
  
  
• The dog must demonstrate a desire to work.

Dogs who are reactive in any way, regardless of the reason or circumstances, are not eligible.

*All dogs accepted into our program will have a lifetime commitment from Animal Farm Foundation. Any dogs who do not succeed as service dogs will be moved to our adoptions program to be placed as a companion pet. Any dogs who, after being trained, matched and placed, are returned to Animal Farm Foundation will be reevaluated and either placed with a different client or moved to our adoption program.

** What shelters and rescues consider a “pit bull” dog varies significantly from place to place. If the shelter or rescue staff labeled the dog a “pit bull” at intake, the dog is eligible for consideration.

SUBMISSIONS:
Include any known health and medical information (official shelter/vet/rescue records).
Include all known history of the dog (in detail).

VIDEO OF THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED:
The dog experiencing the entire standard evaluation used by your shelter or rescue. If your organization does not have an evaluation, please contact a local professional who can complete an evaluation for you.

If not included in the standard evaluation, please include:

• Dog in a kennel or crate with strangers approaching one at a time – adult female, adult male and then child
  
  
• On-leash greeting of a dog of the opposite sex first, then a dog of the same sex
  
  
• Resource guarding test – dry food, wet food and rawhide
  
  
• Resource guarding and arousal recovery test – ball, tug and squeaky toy
  
  
• Dog in a city-type environment with pedestrians, vehicles, noise, etc.
  
  
• Dog’s reaction to loud noises such as the doorbell and smoke alarm
  
  
• Dog showing a desire to work for food

Submissions are accepted electronically or by mail.

If submitted electronically, the video should be saved to a video sharing account. The link and password to the account should be included in an email with the other required information attached. The attachments must be scanned copies of the original paperwork. No copied and pasted information will be accepted. Please send to info@animalfarmfoundation.org with the subject “Service Dog Program”.

If submitted by mail, please save the video on a jump drive or disc and mail all the required information in one envelope to:

Animal Farm Foundation
Attn: service Dog Program
Po Box 624
Bangall, NY 12506.

In both electronic and mail submissions, please include the name, direct phone number and email address of the contact person. Training and placing certified assistance dogs can be a long process, governed by federal laws and requirements and respect for client privacy. Animal Farm Foundation will be pleased to work with transferring organizations to develop any PR content that frames this exciting program in a positive light while respecting the partnership between the dog and the client.

Interested in applying for one of our assistance dogs? Please fill out this pre-application.