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Standards of Performance and Conduct

Background:

The paws4people TM foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, that privately places trained, certified and insured Assistance Dogs (AD) with individuals with physical, neurological, psychological and/or emotional disabilities; including civilians (generally adolescents under the age of fourteen) through its paws4people TM Assistance Dog Placement Program; and Veterans (as well as Active-Duty Service Members or their dependents) through its paws4vets TM Assistance Dog Placement Program.

paws4people TM was founded in 1999. Since then the organization has grown to service the entire mid-Atlantic region (nine states) and currently is comprised of 150+ (unpaid/civilian) volunteers, approximately 70 federal inmates and 20+ Wounded Warriors (both Army and Marine).  To date, paws4people TM dogs and handlers have conducted over 322,000 educational and therapeutic contacts during more than 19,200 visits, and paws4people TM has over 150 dogs under private placement, operational or training management.

All paws4people TM foundation Assistance Dogs receive their Basic and Advanced Assistance Dog Training in our paws4prisons TM Assistance Dog Training Program.  This program provides male and female federal inmates within one of the five federal prisons hosting our program, with an opportunity to train Assistance Dogs, experience the Human-Animal Bond, and to give back to society in a very important and meaningful way. The program also provides significant rehabilitative aspects, re-entry opportunities, and helps to decrease recidivism rates.

Selected paws4people TM foundation Assistance Dogs are provided Public Access Training in our paws4vets TM Wounded Warrior Assistance Dog Training Program in the U.S. Army’s, 3rd Infantry Division, Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB), Ft. Stewart, GA.  In addition to training Assistance Dogs, this program is also an adjunct therapeutic intervention program for Wounded Warriors with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic/Complex PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other psychological, emotional and physical disabilities.  In this program, the Wounded Warriors are taught how to train Assistance Dogs, then actually train Assistance Dogs for other Wounded Warriors.

paws4people TM  has established for itself the following Standards of Conduct and Performance:

paws4people TM  SHALL:

  • produce a minimum of 10 effectively working Psychiatric, Mobility/Balance, Seizure Response, Seizure Alert (Diabetic), Laser-Designated Retrieving Service Dog Teams and/or Psychiatric Rehabilitative Assistance Dog Teams per calendar year.
  • make each of these working Service Dog Teams or Rehabilitative Assistance Dog Teams available, independently and individually, via the internet and/or telephone, as “references,” to interact with and answer questions posed by qualified conditional paws4people TM Clients.
  • maintain contact with each Client, as a minimum, on a quarterly basis after the placement of the Service or Rehabilitative Assistance Dog.  This contact may be in the form of face-to-face meetings, telephone, emails, blogs, social-media websites/pages, etc.
  • NOT charge any specific or required fee for its Assistance Dogs.  Clients may be requested to engage in Public Awareness and/or fundraising activities in support of the organization.  Such participation shall NOT be required prior to placement or as a condition of placement of the Service or Rehabilitative Assistance Dog.
  • have a written/published “contract” governing the Terms and Conditions of the placement and continuing custody/ownership of the dog.  Clients shall have the opportunity to review the contract as part of their application process.

The paws4people TM  K-9 Training Staff Requirements for:

Assistance Dog – Apprentice Trainer:

  1. an Associate of Science Degree, and
  2. at least one professional canine-related training certification1, or,
  3. at least three or more years of documented dog training experience2.
  4. has the following minimum requirements for an Assistance Dog – Trainer:
  5. an Associate of Science Degree, and
  6. at least two professional canine-related training certifications1, or,
  7. at least five or more years of documented dog training experience2, two years of which MUST be documented experience directly training (hands-on, one-on-one with specific dogs – under supervision) of a minimum of five (5) Assistance Dogs who have been successfully placed as Psychiatric, Mobility/Balance, Seizure Response, Seizure Alert (Diabetic), Laser-Designated Retrieving Service Dogs and/or as a Psychiatric Rehabilitative Assistance Dogs.

Assistance Dog – Chief/Master Trainer:

  1. A Bachelors of Arts/Science Degree, or
  2. at least three professional canine-related training certifications1, or,
  3. at least seven or more years of documented dog training experience2, four years of which MUST be documented experience direct training (hands-on, one-on-one with specific dogs) and/or supervisory training of a minimum of ten (10) Assistance Dogs who have been successful placed as Psychiatric, Mobility/Balance, Seizure Response, Seizure Alert (Diabetic), Laser-Designated Retrieving Service Dogs and/or as a Psychiatric Rehabilitative Assistance Dogs.
  4. has policies and procedures that specify that ONLY a Chief / Master Trainer has the authority on behalf of the organization to:
  5. Certify a dog as a Service Dog or a Rehabilitative Assistance Dog
  6. Certify a dog as an “ADA Public Access” dog.

The paws4peopleTM  Assistance Dog – Training Requirements:

Service Dog – Psychological or Emotional Diagnoses (Psychiatric)

A Psychiatric Service Dog is an Assistance Dog specially trained to enable individuals with Psychological or Emotional Diagnoses to lead more independent lives by performing at least 1 or more tasks that the person otherwise could not do, or would have extreme difficulty doing for him/herself. The Client for this type of dog is generally under medical care or have been diagnosed with a psychological or emotion condition(s), with the most common diagnoses being: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic/Complex-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

A Psychiatric Service Dog shall receive:

  1. a MINIMUM of 480 hours of training against the Assistance Dog Command Set Matrix (attached), over a period of at least 12 months,
  2. a MINIMUM of 240 hours of General Obedience Training, over a period of at least 12 months,
  3. a MINIMUM of 120 hours of “socialization” Training, over a period of at least 12 months, and,
  4. a MINIMUM of 60 hours of “Client Specific Custom” Command Set Training during its final 3 months of training.

Service Dog – Physical or Neurological Diagnoses (Mobility/Balance)

A Mobility Service Dog is an Assistance Dog specially trained to enable individuals with disabilities to lead more independent lives by performing at least 3 or more tasks that the person otherwise could not do, or would have extreme difficulty doing for him/herself. The Client for this type of dog is generally a wheelchair user as a result of a mobility limitation, or has another type of physical or neurological disability which alters or limits their mobility.

A Mobility Service Dog shall receive:

a MINIMUM of 600 hours of training against the Assistance Dog Command Set Matrix (attached), over a period of at least 15 months,

  1. a MINIMUM of 300 hours of General Obedience Training, over a period of at least 15 months,
  2. a MINIMUM of 150 hours of “socialization” Training, over a period of at least 15 months, and,
  3. a MINIMUM of 60 hours of “Client Specific Custom” Command Set Training during its final 3 months of training.

Service Dog – Seizure Response

A Seizure Response Service Dog is an Assistance Dog specially trained to respond to and provide specific services to or on the behalf of individuals with seizure disorders.  [SPECIAL NOTE:  These dog DO NOT pre-alert or sense a seizure before it happens. Therefore, these dogs are NOT, what is commonly referred to as “Seizure Alert” dogs.]  A Seizure Response Service Dog is trained to react to a person’s seizure, and then to perform a pre-defined set of commands to provide notification of or service to aid in the response to the individual’s seizure.  The Client for this type of dog is generally under medical care for or has previously been diagnosed with a seizure disorder.

A Seizure Response Service Dog shall receive:

  1. a MINIMUM of 480 hours of training against the Assistance Dog Command Set Matrix (attached), over a period of at least 12 months,
  2. a MINIMUM of 240 hours of General Obedience Training, over a period of at least 12 months,
  3. a MINIMUM of 120 hours of “socialization” Training, over a period of at least 12 months, and,
  4. a MINIMUM of 60 hours of “Client Specific Custom” Command Set Training during its final 3 months of training.

Service Dog – Seizure Alert

A Seizure Alert Service Dog is an Assistance Dog specially trained to pre-alert or sense a diabetic (ketoses) seizure before it happens and then to respond to and provide specific services to or on the behalf of the individual experiencing the seizure.  A Seizure Alert Service Dog is trained to then react to a person’s seizure, and then to perform a pre-defined set of commands to provide notification of or service to aid in the response to the individuals seizure.  The Client for this type of dog is generally is generally under medical care for or has previously been diagnosed with diabetes.

A Seizure Alert Service Dog shall receive:

  1. a MINIMUM of 480 hours of training against the Assistance Dog Command Set Matrix (attached), over a period of at least 12 months,
  2. a MINIMUM of 240 hours of General Obedience Training, over a period of at least 12 months,
  3. a MINIMUM of 120 hours of “socialization” Training, over a period of at least 12 months, and,
  4. a MINIMUM of 60 hours of “Client Specific Custom” Command Set Training during its final 3 months of training.

Service Dog – LASER Designation Retrieving

A LASER Designation Retrieving Service Dog is an Assistance Dog specially trained to retrieve items that are designated with “red” Laser light.  This enables individuals with a multitude of physical limitations to simply point a “LASER” pen at an item and thereby cue their Service Dog to retrieve that item.  The Client for this type of dog generally has been diagnosed with physical disabilities that restrict their range of motion, balance, gross or fine motor skills, or otherwise alter their ability to pick up items.

A LASER Designation Retrieving Service Dog shall receive:

a MINIMUM of 480 hours of training against the Assistance Dog Command Set Matrix (attached), over a period of at least 12 months,

  1. a MINIMUM of 240 hours of General Obedience Training, over a period of at least 12 months,
  2. a MINIMUM of 120 hours of “socialization” Training, over a period of at least 12 months, and,
  3. a MINIMUM of 60 hours of “Client Specific Custom” Command Set Training during its final 3-months of training.

Rehabilitative Assistance Dogs – Psychiatric

A Rehabilitative Assistance Dog – Psychiatric is an Assistance Dog specially trained to work with and is placed with an individual (most often a Veteran or an Active-Duty Military member) who has experienced a physical or psychological trauma which has resulted in a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic/ Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  These dogs are generally “rescued” from a shelter environment and are trained to the intermediate or advanced obedience level.  They are placed with Clients as personal companion therapy dogs, and DO NOT have public access under the 1990 ADA laws.

A Rehabilitative Assistance Dog – Psychiatric shall receive:

  1. a MINIMUM of 160 hours of training against the Assistance Dog Command Set Matrix (attached), over a period of at least 4 months,
  2. a MINIMUM of 80 hours of General Obedience Training, over a period of at least 4 months,
  3. a MINIMUM of 40 hours of “socialization” Training, over a period of at least 4 months.

Additional Certification Criteria

paws4people TM shall provide a Certificate, endorsed by – at a minimum – a Chief/Master Trainer and the Executive Director, specifying that the dog meets or exceeds the minimum training criteria for a Service Dog as established above and that the dog has been trained and certified by paws4people TM .

paws4people TM shall provide a Certificate, endorsed by – at a minimum – a Chief/Master Trainer and the Executive Director, specifying that the dog meets or exceeds the minimum training criteria for Public Access by a Service Dog and is thereby authorized Full-Public Access as provided for in the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, and that the dog has been trained and certified by paws4people TM.

paws4peopleTM  shall provide a Certificate, endorsed by – at a minimum – a Chief/Master Trainer and the Executive Director, specifying that the dog has received and successfully passed a Transfer Training Course.

paws4people TM shall have in place policies and procedures which require and detail the annual refresher training and re-certification requirements for all Psychiatric, Mobility/Balance, Seizure Response, Laser-Designated Retrieving Service Dog Teams.

The Client – Selection & Training Requirements:

The selection of Clients, particularly Clients with psychological and emotional diagnoses, is CRITICAL to the successful formation of an effective working Service Dog Team or Rehabilitative Assistance Dog Team.  As such, the more thorough an application process an organization has, the more likely they are to have successful placements.

paws4people TM shall have an application process which provides the applicant with ALL selection, training, contractual, policies and procedures information/requirements they will encounter during the application process, the dog selection process, the transfer training process, the final placement process and the after-placement process of their Service or Rehabilitative Assistance Dog.

The paws4people TM application process includes the Client obtaining and providing the organization with at least one Letter of Medical Necessity.  The Client’s Letter(s) of Medical Necessity MUST be a factor in the consideration of the Client’s suitability for the placement of a Service or Rehabilitative Assistance Dog.

All Clients seeking a Psychological Service Dog or a Psychological Rehabilitative Assistance Dog shall, as part of the initial application process, complete a Medical Release form to enable the organization’s medical advisory staff to interface with their medical and mental health treatment teams.

The training of Clients is also CRITICAL to the successful formation of an effective working Service Dog Team or Rehabilitative Assistance Dog Team.

For Clients who are receiving a Mobility/Balance, Seizure Response or LASER Designated Retrieving Service Dog: The organization shall provide the Client with a comprehensive Transfer Training course which will enable the Client and his/her dog to perform as an effective working Service Dog Team.  This course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: the proper care and maintenance of the dog, the dog’s Command Set, how to command and work the dog in public, the laws concerning Assistance Dogs and the team’s rights and limitations as such, and umbilical training.  This training course shall be conducted over no less than a ten-calendar day period of time.

For Clients who are receiving a Psychiatric Service Dog: The organization shall provide the Client with a comprehensive Transfer Training course which will enable the Client and his/her dog to perform as an effective working Service Dog Team.  This course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: the proper care and maintenance of the dog, the dog’s Command Set, how to command and work the dog in public, the laws concerning Assistance Dogs and the team’s rights and limitations as such, and umbilical training.  This training course shall be conducted over no less than a twenty-calendar day period of time. [Note: These “twenty” days of transfer training may be accomplished over an extended period of time, in order to provide the Client with the best opportunity for success and recovery from their psychological/emotional diagnoses.]

For Clients who are receiving a Rehabilitative Assistance Dog: The organization shall provide the Client with a comprehensive Transfer Training course which will enable the Client and his/her dog to perform as an effective working Service Dog Team.  This course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: the proper care and maintenance of the dog, the dog’s Command Set, the laws concerning Assistance Dogs and the team’s rights and limitations as such, and umbilical training.  This training course shall be conducted over no less than a three-calendar day period of time.

paws4people TM shall provide a Certificate, endorsed by – at a minimum – a Chief/Master Trainer and the Executive Director, specifying that the Client has received and successfully passed a Transfer Training Course which meets or exceeds the minimum training criteria established by Assistance Dogs International. [http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/Standards/ClientStandards.php]

Medical Advisory Capability:

As an organization that accepts Clients with psychological and emotional diagnoses, and places Psychiatric Service Dog or Psychiatric Rehabilitative Assistance Dogs, paws4people TM has its own internal medical advisory capability to monitor the training progress, protocols, and methodologies used during ALL transfer training sessions, venues, and/or activities so that the Client’s medical and psychological well-being, nor their recovery and treatment process are compromised.

paws4people TM shall have at least one staff person/volunteer who carries a degree(s), certification(s), and/or licensure in the medical or mental health field (Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Medical Doctor, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker).  Furthermore, this staff person/volunteer must have previous experience with the use of Assistance Dogs as an adjunct therapeutic intervention, so as to understand the goals, methodologies, and capabilities of the organization in regards to these unique Clients.  This staff person/volunteer’s role in paws4people TM
is to serve as the point of contact between the Client’s medical and/or mental health care team and paws4people TM
’s training teams to ensure that the selection process, transfer training process, and utilization of the Assistance Dog serves to enhance – (is NOT a detriment to) – the Client’s care and recovery process.

paws4people TM shall has the services of (on an advisory or consulting basis) at least three Medical and/or Mental Health Professionals (Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Medical Doctor, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker).  These advisors/consultants must have previous experience with, or extensive knowledge of, the use of Assistance Dogs as an adjunct therapeutic intervention; so as to understand the goals, methodologies, and capabilities of the organization in regards to these unique Clients.  These advisors’/consultants’ role in paws4people TM
shall be to serve as references for guidance and advise should the organization’s Medical Advisory Staff need further opinions in specific situations.

Footnotes:

  1. 1. Membership/Certifications in/from Professional Dog Training Organizations/Courses should be encouraged and the organization may provide qualification determinations based on a combination of experience and professionally related training course and memberships.
  2. 2. The trainer must provide documented proof through letters of accomplishment, employment/volunteer service records, and/or Working Service or Rehabilitative Assistance Dogs client reference / recommendations letters their canine training experience.

Copyright © 2008 - 2012 paws4peopleTM. All rights reserved. paws4peopleTM, paws4vetsTM
and the logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of paws4peopleTM Inc. paws4peopleTM is a Non-Profit Corporation (EIN: 54-1948479) and a 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation DLN: 310054406

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