Dear Prospective Client,

Thank you for your interest in being matched with one of our incredible Emotional Support Dogs! Please read the instructions carefully, we cannot process applications until we have received all of the required information. In order for New Life K9s to continue best serving its mission, applications must be completed within 90 days of the start process. Our program manager will do their best to accomodate every applicant's needs throughout the process, however, if your application is incomplete after 90 days, it will be removed from the waiting list. If you have any questions about the application process please email us at newlife@newlifek9s.org.

Emotional Support Dogs are dogs who have been in the New Life K9s program, being raised and taught to work as a service dog, but have not made all the requirements due to a certain behavioral issue out in public, making them not fit for a working as a service dog. 

These dogs are still highly educated and could benefit a person in all aspects of their daily life, excluding places where only service dogs are allowed. Emotional Support Dogs are still only given to Veterans and First Responders.

Before you get started

Please note that a completed application includes the following:

 

1. Your photo (within the last year)
2. The copy of your DD214 (Veterans) or proof of duty (First Responders)
3. The completed Emotional Support Dog Application (this form)
4. An emotional support animal recommendation letter from a licensed mental health professional
5. The Consent to Contact and Authorization form identifying the licensed mental health provider we may need to contact for information on your need for an emotional support dog.
6. A personal letter of reference from a friend, teacher, or family member explaining how they see you benefitting from an emotional support dog.
7. A one-page letter stating your reasons for wanting an emotional support dog and how you feel the dog would benefit you.

Application Steps

Step 1: Complete the application 

Step 2: Preliminary Acceptance and Addition Paperwork 

After a succesful application review by our staff, the next step in the process is to have seven social style forms completed on your behalf by people you select. Once we recieve all the social styles forms we will add you to our interview waitlist. 

Step 3: Interview and Follow-Up

We will contact you to schedule an interview with staff. If you are unable to travel to our campus, we will arrange to conduct the interview via video conference. The interview is the final step in the process that enables us to determine if our service dogs are able to meet your needs. After the interview, we may conduct further follow-up with providers and family members. During this time, you will be on our waitlist. *Note: there will be quarterly follow-up with staff to update the application after acceptance to the waitlist in order to keep all information up to date. 

Step 4: Final Acceptance 

If your application is accepted after the interview, we will notify you approximately 2-4 weeks after the interview. If you are selected for placement, please understand that it may take more than 2 years to match a client with a dog due to the high demand for emotional support dogs and the necessity of matching each dog carefully to the personality and needs of each client. 

Step 5: Match and Placement 

Once a potential match has been determined, you will be invited to attend the two-week Client Training course held in San Luis Obispo, CA. The course will be held at our training facility as well as at the prison where the dog was taught. The class will culminate in a graduation ceremony where your dog will be formally transferred from the dog's inmate handler, who has been caring for the dog, to you. While attending this training, our Campus/Prison Rules will apply to you. Please note that New Life K9s is located on a "no smoking" campus. The related expenses you will need to plan for are: transportation, food, movies, housing, ect. while attending the training course. Once you graduate with your dog, you will be responsible for the ongoing costs of caring for your new partner, including: food, grooming, and veterinary expenses.

 

 

**Please note that we cannot guarantee you will be matched with an emotional support dog. We also cannot guarantee time frames on how long the process will take. 

Ongoing Support

Once a dog is placed with you, we provide ongoing support for the remainder of the working partnership. We work in partnership with you to support the dog's health, behavior, temperament, and training through written, phone, video, and in-person follow-up. We have a staff member dedicated to client services available to communicate with you whenever you need advice, and we have training staff that are ready to consult with you and support your needs on an ongoing basis. 

At a minimum, we proactively reach out for regular follow-up every month for the first 6 months of placement, at 9 months, and then annually thereafter. The annual report will require a veterinary health report. 

In addition, we are proud to offer our clients the oppurtunity to become full owners of their dog, depending on the specifics of each case. We also know that when a dog approaches retirement, it can be an uncertain and stressful time for our clients, so we give priority to our existing clients who seek a succesor dog when their dog approaches retirement. 

Please note: This application must be completed by the applicant or answered under the direction of the applicant. Questions in the application are our only source of information by which we can ensure that we are prepared to best meet the needs of our applicants.

Qualification Questions

By typing my name below, I acknowledge that I am aware of the expenses involved in owning a dog and that they can be very high.

I acknowledge that the information contained on this form is true and correct, to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any misrepresentation of fact may result in the removal of the adopted dog from my home.

In addition, I understand that an emotional support dog does not have legal access to areas where dogs are not permitted and that misrepresenting a dog as a service dog is a violation of Penal Code, Section 365.7(1994) which could result in a fine, six months in jail, or both.