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
Charlie with a scruffy head

In general, Service Dogs should start training and socialization by 8 weeks of age. In programs that breed their own dogs, training can begin as early as 3 weeks with astounding results.