Training starts as soon as we get our puppies which is typically between 8 to 10 weeks of age.
The first several weeks are dedicated to giving the puppies the most “pawsitive” experiences possible. This part of training helps ensure that our dogs are confident for their future job.
Training, which includes learning both general obedience skills and tasks, progresses over the course of 2 to 3 years.
PawPADs recognizes that in addition to changing the lives of their future partner, our dogs can impact people during the training process in profound ways.
Through this realization, the second part of our dual mission was born—utilizing the power of the human-canine bond as a therapeutic, educational, and healing tool.
THE POWER OF PUPPIES
From the moment we bring our puppies into public, we begin fulfilling the second part of our mission.
Public access trips provide an opportunity to educate the community about service dogs. Our trainers field questions related to service dog laws, what jobs dogs can be trained for, and how they can assist a family member in need of a service dog.
Visits to places in the community, like schools and senior living facilities, can also be an educational and therapeutic experience for audiences.
PawPADs’ PROGRAMS
Every dog that we train participates in a program specifically designed to help further our mission.
Our programs have touched the lives of incarcerated individuals, veterans, students, survivors, and international entities interested in developing assistance dog programs.
ASSISTANCE DOG EDUCATION PROGRAM AND TRAINING (ADEPT)
Our ADEPT interns learn not only how to train service dogs, but also how to educate and advocate on behalf of their dogs’ future handler as well as the assistance dog industry as a whole.
Beyond that, our students gain valuable personal and professional skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, and time management. They also begin to understand the fundamentals of a nonprofit organization.
PLACED DOGS
Our dogs are paired with their partner after a 2 week training camp. During this time, we provide our clients with both the skills and education necessary to succeed with their dog.
We remain close with all of our teams which allows us to guide clients through access issues and provide advice in regard to their dog.
SURVIVOR SUPPORT DOGS
We recognize that not every dog that goes through our program will be fit to be a physical assistance dog or diabetic alert dog. It is essential that our dogs enjoy the job they are going to do, so we would never give a dog a job we didn’t feel would be perfect for them.
We have partnered three Survivor Support Dogs in Dakota County with 360 Communities. These dogs provide comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence from the moment police are notified until their court proceedings are complete.
Their compassion and strong emotional intuition allow them to provide comfort and courage to the individuals they work with.
SCHOOL RESOURCE DOGS
We have also placed School Resource Dogs throughout the Lakeville School District, at Hopkins West Middle School, and at Breck School.
These outgoing, friendly canines participate in animal assisted activities to keep students engaged and to help them succeed. They also benefit the school community by providing a greater sense of wellbeing and belonging for staff and students alike.
Whether our dogs enjoy life as a pet or placed as an assistance dog or facility dog, we take pride in knowing that each dog has impacted program participants in immeasurable ways.
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