CST Service Dogs
We train and place service dogs with disabled clients who have various disabilities including, but not limited to: Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Cystic Fibrosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Military-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Limited Mobility, and more...
Our Service Dogs
Our dogs are either donated by private breeders or rescued from various shelters. They are accepted into the training program after passing rigorous health and temperament assessments.
CST adheres to the highest standards of training, behavior, and health for our service dogs. All of our trainers are committed to humane treatment of our dogs at every level of training.
For the first 18 months, the dogs are raised by volunteer Puppy Raisers who provide the foundation of training and socialization. After the Puppy Raiser completes the program, the dog then is moved into our Prison Pup Programs. At this point, the dog is paired with an Inmate Trainer who is tasked with training the dog for the next four to six months until placement.
Who We Serve
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Veterans and Civilians with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
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Veterans and Civilians seeking outside certification
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Military or Veteran Handlers seeking a facility dog
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Active-Duty Military with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
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Reserve status Military with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
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National Guard with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
At this time civilian applications are currently CLOSED. Please follow our social media for an announcement concerning our next civilian open application period.
CST Lives Changes Forever
What they’re saying
This is your Testimonial quote. Give your customers the stage to tell the world how great you are!
This is your Testimonial quote. Give your customers the stage to tell the world how great you are!
This is your Testimonial quote. Give your customers the stage to tell the world how great you are!
A CST Story:🐾 FROM SURVIVING… TO STANDING TALL AGAIN 🐾
After 24.5 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, Cathy’s body slowly gave out — not from one single moment, but from decades of service, sacrifice, and wear and tear. Surgeries. Paralysis. Falls. Anxiety. Isolation. Her world kept getting smaller… until a service dog named Oakley changed everything.
Apply For A Service Dog
Take the First Step
CST Service Dogs are placed with disabled veteran and active duty military 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.
The first step is to complete an application. Your doctor that is most familiar with your disability must complete Part 2. Fill out the application below or 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.
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 AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY
