Thank you for your interest in The Joys of Living Assistance Dogs (JLAD).

When we receive this signed document, we will send you the complete application for a Civilian JLAD service dog. Our mission:

To provide skilled, devoted companions to support and assist veterans, first responders, and others with disabilities, creating cohesive teams focused on building a life of greater freedom and independence.

JLAD conducts its business and acceptance process in a manner that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, genetic information, military assistance, or other protected status.

Services We Offer:

 JLAD dogs assist people with primary mobility impairment such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, paraplegia, tetraplegia, arthritis, amputation, stroke, or traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, and PTSD.  JLAD does not train dogs to assist individuals with seizure disorders, blood sugar disorders, those with significant vision loss, and companion or emotional support dogs.  Dog availability may take approximately two to three years.

All dogs are trained in basic obedience commands, house manners, and how to behave in public. Dogs are also trained in technical skills such as: retrieving, opening doors, balance assistance, bracing, social interaction, and PTSD interrupt. Special skills are trained on an individual basis. However, JLAD will NOT train behaviors that encourage guarding, protecting, or searching for a threat.  In addition, our dogs are not trained for emotional support or medical alert.   In regard to this training, dogs:

1.       The task(s) to be trained must be directly related to the client’s disability

2.     Dogs must exhibit friendly public interaction 

3.     Dogs meet all existing Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards regarding     

         temperament and behavior, as well as exhibit:

·                   tolerance to a high level of stress

·                   sensitivity without anxiety

·                    the ability to perceive environmental and interpersonal cues

·                   the ability to complete tasks in very difficult and emotional situations

·                   no reactivity, possessiveness, guarding behaviors or increased anxiety.

4.      Meet all existing ADI obedience, accessibility and training standards including training with visual, verbal, or environmental cues to do three visually identifiable tasks that directly mitigate the recipient's disability. 

5.     JLAD will determine acceptance of applicant based on the task-based needs of the applicant.

Our Process:

Upon acceptance of the application, JLAD will schedule an in-home visit, ZOOM, or FaceTime, depending or your distance from our headquarters.  The purpose of this visit is to meet with you, as many family members as possible, any others living in your home, and family pets.  This meeting helps JLAD understand all elements that will influence the working environment of a service dog.  JLAD will determine acceptance of applicant based on the task-based needs of the applicant.  Upon acceptance into our program, we will start the process of looking for a suitable match.  Timing and placement of your assistance dog depends on the availability of a suitable dog.

Once a dog that JLAD deems a suitable match becomes available, you will be notified.  We will provide you more information about the dog, and when the next Team Training will be held. Team Training varies depending on the program.

JLAD’s Responsibilities to The Client:

JLAD fill follow up, first weekly, then monthly, with the client for the first six months, at nine months, and yearly thereafter to assure a smooth transition into this new working partnership.   Follow-ups will be accomplished using a real-time, two-way communication by a staff member or trained volunteer. The three-month follow up will be conducted via Google meets, FaceTime, or Zoom. Six months after the client's partnership with a dog, the partnership will be reevaluated, and if appropriate, full ownership of the dog will be transferred to the client. 

JLAD is available for remedial training, and assisting with new tasks to mitigate a client’s functional level, within reason, as well as non-emergency behavior and/or medical issues that may develop. Many training issues can be resolved with a phone conversation or the exchange of emails.  We urge you to contact us “sooner than later” as the sooner you get answers to your questions, the sooner the issue will be rectified.  If the recipient however requests “in person help” to train a new skill, charges may apply for these sessions. JLAD reserves the right to determine if the recipient needs to pay for training session charges. JLAD will provide refresher training as needed as well as support clients with legal issues should they arise.  If a client fails to maintain the training and prescribed behavior of their dog, and the dog becomes non-compliant, JLAD will not be responsible for the re-training of the dog, nor will JLAD be held responsible to replace such a dog. 

JLAD’s Responsibilities to The Dog:

JLAD removes service dog status from a dog whose person fails to care for the dog in the agreed manner, and/or the dog is not kept within the contract weight, or take appropriate action, to ensure the welfare and soundness of the dog, in all circumstances. Should this happen prior to transferring ownership of the dog to the client, JLAD reserves the right to confiscate said dog, without issuing reimbursement for the dog.  JLAD’s policy ensures that, if a dog must be removed from its partnership, someone who is part of the client’s support system will be notified and preferably be present at the time of the dog's surrender to our program.  The veteran’s last known mental health provider will be notified.

Client’s Responsibilities to JLAD:

1.       The applicant must be at least 18 years of age to apply for this program. 

2.       Applicant must have a qualifying disability that impacts their quality of life, independence, and activities of daily living.

3.       The application process must be completed within three months of submitting this form. Any incomplete applications will be deleted from our system at that time, and the application process will need to be restarted.

4.       Applicants must have a stable home environment, support of all other household and family members, be financially stable, open minded, and have a willingness to learn.

5.       Applicants living in group/transition homes are not eligible for a JLAD service dog.

6.       Applicants must have a referral or recommendation by their healthcare provider. This is included in Part C of the application.

7.       The client must attend Team Training and pass the Public Access Test before JLAD will allow you to take your assistance dog home.  

8.       The client must be able to perform all handling requirements.  If the disability limits the client’s ability to participate in Team Training, an assistant may help with writing tasks. 

9.       A yearly veterinary report will need to be submitted by the client for the dog

10.   Recertification is required every two years. Recipients and their dogs will need to return to JLAD for this process.  Virtual recertification arrangements may be requested and scheduled at least two months prior to the scheduled PAT to which the client was invited.  Failure to take the PAT, is cause for revoking the certification of the team. All equipment bearing the JLAD logo will need to be returned immediately. Extenuating circumstances need to be submitted to our board of directors for approval.

Client’s Responsibilities to The Dog

1.       Applicants must be willing and able to provide for the dog’s physical needs:

a.      Food, water, and shelter

b.      Daily exercise, a minimum of 20 min, twice a day

c.       Flee/tick/heartworm medication

d.      Yearly veterinary care as well as emergency medical care

2.       Applicant must be willing and able to provide for the dog’s emotional needs:

a.      Mental stimulation

b.      Love and affection

3.       Applicant must be willing and able to provide for all expenses associated with a dog. The average yearly cost to care for a dog is $2500.00. 

Program Cost:

1. Non-refundable Application fee: $155.00

2. Veteran/First Responder Service Dog cost: Free of charge (Thank you for your service!)

Although it costs between $35,000-$40,000 to raise and train a service dog, a veteran/first responder can receive a service dog free of charge!  The waiting period for a free of charge dog is considerably longer as we can only give away service dogs as our budget permits. Therefore, a veteran can choose to purchase a dog from us at the regular rate of $15,000.00, which will shorten the waiting period. Should you want to exercise this option, please check the box below.  Prices are subject to change each calendar year; however, prices will be honored for the year the application was received. If a veteran opting to pay for their assistance dog decides to withdraw their application at any time prior to Team Training, JLAD will retain $2000.00 of the money collected and reimburse the balance. If the applicant, through no fault of JLAD, fails to complete Team Training, the dog remains the property of JLAD, and the $15,000.00 will be retained by JLAD.

No applicant, client, or graduate is required to participate in fundraising for JLAD, nor be involved in public relations activities without their expressed and voluntary permission. 

The application process must be completed within three months of submitting this form. Any incomplete applications will be deleted from our system at that time, and the application process will need to be restarted.

The cost of a dog is established upon acceptance into the program. If a client declines placement of the dog when a match is made, JLAD will delay placement of a dog one time. Should a client decline placement for a second time, JLAD reserves the right to update the price of the dog to the current price.

If you have further questions, please contact us at:  503-551-4572 or info@joydogs.org.  

By typing my name below, I acknowledge having read the terms of this document and accept the conditions set forth by JLAD.