Overview: Applying for an Assistance Dog

The multi-step application process lasts several months.  When an applicant is accepted as an assistance dog candidate, his or her application is kept on file until a suitable canine partner is available.

When a suitable canine partner is available Partnership Training begins. Partnership Training is designed to give the candidate the necessary skills and knowledge to handle and care for an assistance dog. Partnership Training lasts approximately 2 weeks.

Candidates are evaluated at the end of Partnership Training to determine if they can safely handle and care for their assistance dog partner.  Only those candidates demonstrating competence become clients.
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Mobility Service Dog partnerships are evaluated on a monthly basis for the first year and less frequently over the life of the partnership. Facility Dog partnerships are evaluated less frequently. Follow up support is provided as needed.

The Application Process

All applicants have the right to be considered for an assistance dog without regard to race, color, creed, gender, religion, age and any other category protected by federal law, Colorado state law or local laws. An application can be denied and the application process terminated at any time for other reasons.

The multi-step application process takes several months.  All applicants are notified on a timely basis at each juncture of the application process.

The steps in the application process are:

• Step 1: Inquiry Form. Applicant completes and submits an online Inquiry Form.
• Step 2: Telephone Interview.  After receiving the Inquiry Form, an Applicant Review Committee (ARC) member will contact the applicant to conduct a telephone interview.  
• Step 3: Attend Training Class: Applicant is invited to attend a training class at Canine Partners of the Rockies training facility in Aurora, Colorado. After attending, an ARC member will contact the applicant to discuss any further questions the applicant may have and discuss moving forward. 
• Step 4: Home Interview & Inspection. An in-home interview and inspection is conducted. In the case of a Facility Dog, and inspection of the work environment is also conducted. 
• Step 5: Application Packet. Applicant is invited to apply and application is sent. Application includes a $50 non-refundable fee.
• Step 6: Application Reviewed. CaPR receives and reviews the complete application, including supporting documents, and a determination is made whether to accept the applicant as a Mobility Service Dog or Facility Dog candidate. The applicant is advised, and accepted candidates' application materials are kept on file until a suitable canine partner is available. 

**We DO NOT PLACE DOGS SOLELY FOR: stability and balance.