Service Dog Candidate Evaluation Services
Choose a path that works for you
Everyone starts their service dog search with different backgrounds and resources. It’s my goal to meet you where you are and will work with you to find a package that fit your training skills and budget.
Schedule your free consult
Your initial 30 minute consultation is free of charge
Follow up conversations that focus on technical task development, research, or client education are $30 per hour
Shelter Visits
Visits to CACC, Anti-Cruelty, or OTAT facilities to screen potential candidates have a flat rate of $100
Visits to other shelters (PAWS, suburban shelters) are $115 for the first two hours and an additional $65 for each hour after
Able to foster your candidate?
Clients have different risk-tolerances for fostering. If a client is already an active foster and able to take a dog based on surface parameters (publicly posted information, sending shelter assessment, size, weight, breed, etc), there is no finders fee for me suggesting a dog. Hourly fees apply to discussions about the foster’s suitability. Due to my leadership positions in multiple rescues, I sometimes have the ability to add potential dogs to transports from sending shelters, meet them while volunteering, or have screening conversations with the sending shelter staff and/or the local rescue. For dogs that have this additional screening, each dog placed in foster has a finder’s fee of $25. Sometimes a candidate not only fails, but exhibits behavior that makes them difficult to continue fostering. I offer a $50 safety-guarantee where I can take over fostering in an emergency situation in under 24 hours.
Screening
Once your candidate has settled in at home, we need to see how they do in the real world.
On-site screening includes
-travel to a location of your choice
-1 hour of temper assessment
-client de-briefing either in person post-assessment OR written report to be delivered within 3 business days
-observation of the candidate’s behavior in a dog friendly public environment
Cost: $135
At-home assessment includes
-temper and handling assessment
-dog test with an appropriate dog-friendly resident dog
-handler orientation, drive, and biddability observation
-Neurological baseline testing
-with 2 weeks minimal notice, cat neutrality testing
Cost: $75
Foster Packages
Not everyone can open their home to a candidate, and that’s ok! I have established relationships with over a dozen Chicago rescues and am able to foster candidates in my home. Having the candidate in my home gives me the ability to test and observe them every day and to do the maximum amount of hands on work.
These assessments require a minimum of 7 days of observation, clients will not be charged for additional days the dog is in foster care. These dogs are fostered under my name through the partner rescue. Any dog in rescue is eligible for this service, however I strongly suggest only clients who pass my initial screening are selected. Service subject to my availability to take fosters.
FULL Week-long foster assessment includes
-dog, cat, prey animal testing
-minimal of 1 public outing to a pet-friendly venue (home depot, patio dining, agility facility are common choices)
-daily neurological and stability testing
-comprehensive report on the dogs strengths, weakness, and a next steps training plan
Cost: $350
LITE Week-long foster assessment includes
-dog testing
-daily neurological and stability testing
-Verbal client debriefing (minimum 30 minutes)
Cost: $200
Your initial 30 minute consultation is free of charge
Follow up conversations that focus on technical task development, research, or client education are $30 per hour
Breeders and Puppies
While I am happy to screen and train dogs from breeders, I do not have existing relationships with breeders needed to make breeder-referrals. I primarily serve clients looking to find their service dog in rescue. If you would like help choosing a breeder, I am able to screen at my hourly rate ($30).
There is significant risk in choosing a young puppy as your service candidate whether from a reputable breeder or a rescue. However, as this is what many people prefer, I can offer support to clients interested in this path. I am also able to whelp litters and raise puppies. This process is extremely time and resource intensive and each plan is individually tailored to my clients. I usually raise 2-3 litters a year as part of my personal fostering and occasionally have promising options, so get in touch if you’d like to be updated on our in-house puppies!