Apply for A service dog

Looking for a service dog to assist you and serve as your constant companion? Please complete the application below.

Take the first step

CST Service Dogs are placed with disabled clients who have various disabilities. In addition, these dogs help to serve as an ice-breaker in public situations and provide constant companionship for their partners. Children under the age of 16 are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The first step is to complete an application. Your doctor that is most familiar with your disability must complete Part 2. Send your completed application, recent photo of yourself, your autobiography, financial statement, and $100 non-refundable application fee to:  Canine Support Teams, Inc, PO Box 75, Murrieta, CA 92564.

Application Process

Once your completed application is received it is reviewed by our professional staff. If your application falls within our criteria, you will be invited to meet for an intake interview.  This gives our staff & trainers an opportunity to have face-to-face interaction with our candidates. Special arrangements can be made for applicants that are out-of-area or unable to travel. There are many complexities in developing a Canine Support TEAM and personal interaction is invaluable to begin the relationship that, we hope, will provide our clients with years of independence, companionship, service and unconditional love.

ALL of Canine Support Teams’ dogs are ADA Compliant and Public Access Test Certified.  They undergo two years of training before being placed with a disabled client. You can be confident that the Service Dog you receive from CST is an elite “4-legged professional,” ready and eager to fulfill his/her calling.

Cost

Application: $100* non-refundable application fee with your completed application.

Placement: Once a potential match has been identified, the applicant is asked to contribute towards a portion of the cost of preparing the service dog. The actual costs of two years’ preparation and training of a working Service Dog are upwards of $30,000. We ask a nominal donation of $9,500.00 from clients prior to Team Training. We actively assist with fundraising and grant seeking to help them reach this goal. 

Outside Certification: CST accepts personal dogs on a case-by-case basis and starts at $3,000 for training and certification. Please see our outside certification page for more information.

ALL recipients of CST Service Dogs must travel to our Murrieta, CA campus for two weeks of Team Training (travel, lodging, meals, & activities are clients’ responsibility). 

Annual re-certification is required ($150/year) and conducted quarterly by our professional training staff at a nearby locale.  Special arrangements can be made for clients who are out-of-area or unable to travel.

If you are a veteran, learn more about the PAWZ for Wounded Veterans Program.

*FEES WAIVED FOR VETERANS

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