Owner-Provided Dog Program

Owner-Provided Dog Criteria

We offer this option for hearing, mobility, seizure and diabetes applicants, but not autism applicants.

Physical Criteria

• Your dog must be between 1 and 4 years of age.
• Your dog must be spayed or neutered.
• Within the last year, your dog must have had a complete physical and be current on vaccinations including rabies.
• Obtain a letter of reference from your veterinarian stating your dog is a good candidate for an assistance dog.
• Your dog, if appropriate, must have OFA view x-rays of hips and elbows after they are one year old. This will only be required after the application and temperament testing are complete. This is the final step before acceptance into the program. Can Do Canines will notify you if this is necessary.

Training Criteria

• You dog must have completed at least two levels of obedience class within the last year at a training school of your choice, and/or your dog must have passed the Canine Good Citizen test within the last year.
• Obtain a letter of reference from your obedience trainer stating that your dog is a good candidate for an assistance dog.
• Your dog must demonstrate ability to perform at least one skill that assists you in your daily life.

Behavior Criteria

• Your dog must be confident and well behaved in all public situations and socialized to as many different exposures as possible.
• You dog must pass Can Do Canines’ temperament evaluation.

Assistance Dog Criteria

• Your dog must be the only dog in the home, unless it can be demonstrated that the other dogs will not interfere with the assistance dog’s tasks.