FAQ

We are currently ADI Accredited and follow ADI’s standards to the highest degree.

If you are 16 years or older and have a diagnosed disability that a dog can be specifically trained to do three or more tasks to mitigate the effects of your disability you are eligible for a service dog. Children under 16 are considered on a case-by-case basis. This does NOT mean you will be guaranteed a dog.

Canine Support Teams does currently work with owner trained dogs. Please check out our outside certification program for further information.

Applicants must be a minimum of 16 years old but must be mature enough to be able to handle a service dog appropriately. CST considers children under 16 years on a case by case basis. 

We do not train guide dogs for the deaf or blind.

At this time, we do not train medical alert dogs, but we can train handlers to teach medical response to their dogs.

CST prides itself in matching the right dogs with the right clients based on a variety of factors, including needs, capabilities, temperament, disability, and task work. CST’s professional trainers will personally work with clients to assess and identify the best match based on the client’s needs and lifestyle as well as the capabilities of the dog.

We will place poodles and doodles with people that have allergies, but we will never guarantee someone will not be allergic.

Yes, for a full description of our services for veterans, please visit our PAWZ for Wounded Veterans page.

Must be a veteran. To request the placement of a PTSD service dog for a veteran, complete and submit an application, including a copy of the DD-214.

Once a potential match has been identified, the applicant is required to travel to CST for two weeks of Team Training (travel, lodging, meals, and activities are the responsibility of the applicant).

Applying for a service dog is easy, simply complete our service dog application

Our wait time is up to 2 years on average.

There is a $100 non-refundable application fee that is due upon submission. Once a potential match has been identified, we ask a nominal donation of $9,500.00 from clients prior to Team Training. The actual costs of two years’ preparation and training for a working service dog are upwards of $30,000.

In most cases, the program requires travel to CST for two weeks of Team Training at our expansive Murrieta facility. Travel, lodging, meals, and activities are the responsibility of the applicant). If special cases, if traveling to Murrieta is not possible for a client, CST may accommodate with off-site training, to be determined at the sole discretion of CST.

Annual re-certification is required, $150/year. (All fees are waived for veterans.)

The application fee is waived for veterans, and veterans receive a service dog at no cost through our Pawz for Wounded Veterans program.

There are many ways to secure a service dog, either through donations, qualifying for a grant, or sponsor support. Please email or call 951-301-3625 to learn more about opportunities for support. 
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