Getting A Poodle

American Poodles At Work is a Massachusetts-based program which breeds, raises, trains, and places Standard Poodles as assistance dogs. We are dedicated to providing well-trained, intelligent, healthy Poodles who enjoy working for their partners, fulfilling the assistance dogs' purpose as an unobtrusive helpmate.

Jillian out at Klems department store with a training pup

Service Dog Acquisition

Application

  • Find out about APAW
  • Pre-application (on website), or phone/email APAW contacts potential client and informs of current estimated wait for a dog, asks if would like an application packet
  • Client shares mailing address
  • APAW mails packet
  • Client chooses whether to fill-out or keep for a while -- no deadline/obligation
  • After application and medical history are received, APAW schedules an interview (in person if possible, otherwise by phone)

Acceptance

  • Client will then be sent an acceptance letter and be placed on the waiting list OR denial notification with reason(s) -- if reason can be corrected client will be kept on file for another interview when they are ready
  • Completed questionnaires are needed to determine social style When a couple of possible dogs are ready, client will be invited to team training.

Training

  • Client travels to APAW for two weeks of training with propsective Assistance dog (one week for a Social/Therapy dog) -- no housing on campus so client must have transportation* Client attends lectures and training sessions working with multiple dogs
  • After 3 days APAW selects a dog for client based on personality, skills, and how well the team communicated in training sessions*
  • Umbilical process begins -- dog and client are never separated and no other person makes contact with dog
  • Client finishes lectures and command list at end of first week Spend weekend relaxing at home/hotel bonding with dog
  • Next week is fieldtrips every day to restaurants, movies, malls, concerts, ... everywhere
  • Final day is big test and graduation!

Costs

  • Application is Free
  • Interview is Free
  • Team training is $500 for Assistance Dog and $300 for Social/Therapy Dog covers materials, training equipment, dog care items and dog food)*
  • Placement Costs:
    • Assistance Dog is $10,000 (fundraising/sponsor resources and payment plans available -- no client denied a dog based on funding issues alone)
    • Social/Therapy Dog ranges from $2,000-$5,000 depending on the level of training.
APAW does not cover transportation, housing, or human food costs
Attentive Sitting

If you have a disability you may choose to train a dog for yourself -- as long as you can manage their behavior and they will perform the tasks you request, your dog does not need to be certified for you to have public access.

Consider donating dog food, materials, your time or funds to help APAW fulfill its mission. We have many volunteering opportunities, a wish list for supplies and services and even a handy Paypal Account for those that wish to make small cash contributions.

Not every dog is suitable for Service work, even if they receive all of the correct training and socialization. There are many factors involved, from genetics, to health issues, to a personality that is not quite willing/gentle enough.