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What You Need to Know

Our mission is to educate and empower people to utilize Assistance Dogs to transform their lives. We sincerely wish we had unlimited funds so we could help every applicant. Please understand we receive many more applications than we have Assistance Dogs, Facility Dogs, or Emotional Support Dogs to place. A small number of initial applicants will be invited to complete a long application, and the remaining applicants will be notified that we are unable to proceed with their application.

paws4people®️ reserves the right to decline any application at any time for any reason that is deemed in the best interest of the organization, without disclosing the reason for the organization’s decision to decline.
paws4people Location_United States

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Rigorous research supports the use of psychiatric Service Dogs in helping individuals recover from PTSD (Leighton et al., 2023).

At paws4people®, we specialize in training psychiatric Service Dogs that mitigate the interfering effects of traumatic experiences.  Our proprietary approach to client training teaches recipients how to Control, Regulate, and Mitigate® their symptoms. With the help of our Dogs, handlers intentionally re-engage with the world around them, despite their traumatic pasts. Because this is our specialty, paws4people® screens applications for their appropriateness and readiness for our approach.

A majority of the clients accepted into our program have experienced trauma; therefore, please do not skip over any parts of your story and needs in your initial applications, in order for it to be considered comprehensively. We take your disclosure seriously, and whether you are accepted or denied, we appreciate your trust in sharing your story with us.

-The paws4people® Team

We encourage all our interested applicants to review the Types of Dogs we train as well as the paws4people®️ Training Process. Upon completing the inquiry form eligible applicants will be contacted to schedule a Client Discovery call.

paws4people®️ does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, or creed and other categories protected by law.

Training Process

Start the Journey

Complete an inquiry form to begin the application process.

At this time we are only able to accept applications in English. If you need further assistance please contact us.

Service Dog Application Form

  • Requirements
  • Applicant Information
  • The Applicant's Household
  • The Applicant's Status
  • Miscellaneous Information
  • Legal and Medical Information required by the ADA.
  • Why you want / need one of our Dogs?

In order to apply for a paws4people® Assistance Dog you must meet certain eligibility requirements. It is REQUIRED that you click on, read and acknowledge the below link before you can request an Application.

By indicating No, your application request will be unable to move forward. Medical releases are required by our accrediting body.

You have selected No to travel for training, paws4people only conducts client training in Wilmington NC. If you wish to continue this application you must select Yes or you may reach out to info@paws4people.org to schedule a discovery call.

We receive hundreds of applications per month. Every application is reviewed by at least three members of our Application Committee. At least ONE of those three Committee Members must approve your application for further consideration.

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR APPLICATION!

Therefore, it is HIGHLY recommended that you spend some time and thought completing this section.

  • Please tell us your diagnosis(es).
  • Explain how they affect your life.
  • And finally, tell us how you think a Service Dog would improve your life.


Answer these three basic questions; concisely and succinctly. Write enough to answer the questions, but don't write a "novel".


Exclusive Paws4People Training Model: In-Person Requirement in Wilmington, North Carolina

I understand that paws4people’s model necessitates in-person training based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Few to no exceptions are made to this process. By selecting “no” to travel, I understand that I am most likely not going to be selected for the full application process.