CANINE SUPPORT TEAMS 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
- Veterans with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
- Veterans and Civilians seeking outside certification
- Military or Veteran Handlers seeking a facility dog
- Active-Duty Military with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
- Reserve status Military with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
- National Guard with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
Getting Started
To begin the process of finding a service dog to assist you, please complete the service dog application. There is a $100 non-refundable application fee that is due upon submission. All fees for veterans are waived.
The program requires travel to CST for twelve days of Team Training (travel, lodging, meals, and activities are the responsibility of the applicant). The applicant is also expected to return annually for recertification (recertification is $150/year). The recertification fee waived for veterans.