Dog Program Request for Application

Dog Program Request for Application

Thank you for your interest in The Ability Center's Assistance Dog Program. Please complete the information below in order to request an application, and one of our staff members will reach out with next steps.
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
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Please select the program you are inquiring about:
- Assistance Dog Placement - Service or Skilled Companion Dog for individuals with disabilities and/or Military PTSD
- School Facility Dog - Facility dogs that work in the school setting and provide support for students.
- Facility Dog - A dog that works in a professional setting, including courthouses, rehabilitation centers, and other facilities, to provide support to those recieving services from the facility.
- Agility Program - WAITLIST CURRENTLY CLOSED.
- Pet Dog Adoption - Adopting a dog that is not suited for working roles
- Ineligible Request for Information (Assistance Dog) - If you do not qualify for our Assistance Dog programs but would like referrals or information on other organizations
- Ineligible Request for Information (Agility) - If you do not qualify for our Agility program but would like additional information
Please select which type of request you are making.*
Please select your specific program of interest.*
TrueFalse
So that we are able to better assess our program requirements and the needs of our community, please select the reason you are ineligible below.
If applying for a facility dog, please select the county where the facility is located. Otherwise, please select your county of residence.*

Assistance Dog Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To apply for an assistance dog through The Ability Center, applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements. Please understand that additional, specific criteria may vary based on the type of assistance dog placement.
- Age Requirement: At the time of application, children must be at least 7 years old to be eligible for a Skilled Companion Dog and 12 years old for a Service Dog.
- Disability Eligibility: All applicants must provide documentation from a medical professional verifying a qualifying disability. Military PTSD applicants must submit an additional reference from a mental health professional.
- Interview Participation: Applicants must participate in a three-part evaluation including a virtual interview, an in-facility assessment, and a home visit before they will be considered for approval to receive an assistance dog.
  - Applicants must be able to travel to our facility a minimum of two times during the interview and match process, annually after placement, and additionally as deemed necessary.
- Team Training Participation: Upon being matched with an assistance dog, applicants must attend a Team Training session in Sylvania, OH lasting two-weeks for service teams and one-week for Skilled Companion teams. During this time, recipients agree to cover one’s own expenses for transportation, lodging, meals, and attendant care.
- Long-Term Participation: A strong commitment is essential to the success of an assistance dog team. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient cognitive and physical ability to actively participate in the lifelong care and training of an assistance dog, and commit to continuing the training program that The Ability Center establishes for the team throughout the dog's working life.
- Financial Preparedness: Applicants must be financially prepared to cover the program tuition fee of $2,500 at the time of placement. Applicant must also understand the importance of financial preparedness as it relates to the ongoing costs of dog ownership, including food, supplies, routine veterinary care, and emergency expenses.
- Home Environment: Applicants must reside within a smoke-free home environment, and provide a safe, stable, and supportive setting that promotes the health and well-being of a dog.
- Exercise & Enrichment: Applicants must commit to providing daily exercise and enrichment activities to maintain the dog’s physical and mental well-being.
- Existing Pets: If there are other dogs in the household, they must:
  - Be limited to no more than two (2) existing dogs before placement of an assistance dog would be permitted.
  - Be over the age of one-year old.
  - Be spayed/neutered (with exceptions for medical reasons).
  - Have a temperament that allows for safe socialization with other dogs.
  - Existing household dogs must attend a “Meet and Greet” at The Ability Center to assess compatibility with an assistance dog.
- Ongoing Communication: Applicants agree to notify The Ability Center of any changes that may affect these requirements after submitting an application.
We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, regardless of race, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin.

By filling out the following application request, you agree that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements listed above.

Pet Adoption Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a pet dog through our program, applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements. Please review the criteria below to determine whether a pet dog from The Ability Center is the right fit for your home.

Important Note: The dogs available for “Pet Adoption” have been released from our program due to an inability to meet the rigorous standards required for assistance work. While they make wonderful companions, they are not permitted to be trained or used as service dogs, therapy dogs, or for other working roles.
- Residency: Applicants must reside within the following counties: Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lenawee, Lucas, Monroe, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Williams, and Wood.
- Financial Preparedness: Applicants must be financially prepared to cover the ongoing costs of dog ownership, including food, supplies, routine veterinary care, and emergency expenses. On average, this may cost up to $150–$200 per month.
- Home Environment: Applicants must provide a safe, stable, and supportive home environment that promotes the health and well-being of a dog.
- Exercise & Enrichment: Applicants must commit to providing daily exercise and enrichment activities to maintain the dog’s physical and mental well-being.
- Existing Pets: If there are other dogs in the household, they must:
  - Be limited to no more than two (2) existing household dogs before placement of a pet dog would be permitted.
  - Be over the age of one-year old.
  - Be spayed/neutered (with exceptions for medical reasons).
  - Have a temperament that allows for safe socialization with other dogs.
  - Existing household dogs must attend a “Meet and Greet” at The Ability Center to assess compatibility with the adoptable dog.
- Ongoing Communication: Notify The Ability Center immediately of any changes in household circumstances that may affect eligibility after submitting an application.
By filling out the following application request, you agree that you meet the requirements listed above.

Agility Program Minimum Eligibility Requirements
The Ability Center’s Agility Program pairs trained dogs with individuals with disabilities, fostering confidence, coordination, and teamwork through agility training. While the program primarily serves participants with autism, it is open to individuals of all disabilities and ages, with a minimum age of 8 years old.

To be eligible for participation, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Age Requirement: Participants must be at least 8 years old.
- Disability Eligibility: Open to individuals of all disabilities and ages who would benefit from agility training with a dog.
- Facility-Based Working Interview: Applicants must attend an in-facility working interview before being approved for the program.
- Weekly Class Commitment: Participants must attend weekly classes to ensure consistency in training and progress.
- Long-Term Participation: Due to program demand and a waitlist, a strong commitment to ongoing participation is essential. If accepted, participants are expected to attend regularly to ensure all students have the opportunity to benefit from the program.
- Goal-Oriented Participation: Applicants should have a personal goal they hope to achieve through participation in the program, such as improving skills in the areas of social, motor, executive functioning, etc.
Additional Recommended Considerations:

The following factors contribute to successful participation in the program:
- A support system (family, caregiver, or advocate) to assist with transportation and scheduling if needed.
- Ability to follow basic instructions and engage with the training process in a structured setting.
- Willingness to work in a group setting alongside other participants.
- Willingness to receive and apply feedback to improve skills and teamwork.
- An interest in working with dogs and engaging in their training and care.
We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, regardless of race, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin.

Children must be at least 8 years old at the time of application to be eligible to participate in the Agility Program and parental/guardian support is required for children entering the program.

By filling out the following application request, you agree that you meet the requirements listed above.

Are you filling this out as the ongoing primary contact for a child or adult other than yourself?
TrueFalse

Representative Information
Representative's Relationship to Applicant
Representative's First Name
Representative's Last Name
Representative's Birthdate

MonthDayYear
Date
Representative's Gender

Veteran Information
TrueFalse
Military Service Start Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Military Service End Date

MonthDayYear
Date

Applicant/Requesting Staff Member's Information
First Legal Name of Applicant
Requesting Staff Member's First Legal Name
Last Legal Name of Applicant
Requesting Staff Member's Last Legal Name
Preferred First Name of Applicant, if applicable
Requesting Staff Member's Preferred First Name, if applicable
Requesting Staff Member's Title
Date of Birth of Applicant/Requesting Staff Member*

MonthDayYear
Date
Gender of Applicant
Requesting Staff Member's Gender
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Requesting Staff Member's Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email (if you do not have one, please put "donotreply@abilitycenter.org")
example@example.com
Requesting Staff Member's Email
example@example.com
Street Address (include apartment numbers)
Requesting Staff Member's Mailing Street
City
Requesting Staff Member's Mailing City
State
Requesting Staff Member's Mailing State
Zip Code
Requesting Staff Member's Zip Code

Current Pets
How many pets are currently in your household?
If you currently have pets, please list their species/breeds below.

0/255

Disability Information
Please select the category of the applicant's primary disability.
Please define the applicant's disability.

0/5000
Please describe how the applicant's disability impacts their daily life and independence.

0/5000

Facility's Contact Information
Facility's Name. Please input the complete name of the organization, not an abbreviation. For example, "The Ability Center of Greater Toledo" rather than "ACT" or "Ability Center."
If the facility is a school, please select the served grade levels.
If the facility is a school, please input the number of students.
Facility's Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Facility's Website
Facility's Email
example@example.com
Facility's Street
Facility's City
Facility's State
Facility's Zip Code

Additional Questions
How do you feel an assistance dog can help you/the applicant?

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How do you feel that the Agility Program can help you/the applicant?

0/5000
Additional comments you wish to share:

0/5000
Preferred Method of Communication*
How did you hear about us?*
Respondent Email
example@example.com
Should be Empty:

Dog Program Request for Application

Assistance Dog Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Pet Adoption Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Agility Program Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Representative Information

Veteran Information

Applicant/Requesting Staff Member's Information

Current Pets

Disability Information

Facility's Contact Information

Additional Questions