Owner Trained Program
ACTS offers an Owner Trained Program for people who are interested in training their own mobility service or facility dog.
Any persons interested in this type of program are encouraged to consult ACTS PRIOR to the purchase of their puppy. ACTS offers consultations on breed and breeder choices and assistance in selection of puppies at a nominal fee.
ACTS requires a minimum active relationship with clients and their dogs, of 10 months prior to certification. Longer periods of training are desirable but not required. The final 10 months of training must be completed within a 12-month period.
No teams will be certified until the dog is a minimum of 2 years old, and only when the Head Trainer determines that the dog is ready to take the appropriate certification tests.
ACTS enters this relationship with a thorough screening of both the client and dog. Once this screening is complete and teams are accepted into the program, the training process may begin. A dog may be released from the program at any time, should ACTS determine that the dog is not suitable for service or facility dog work.
Clients will be required to attend a minimum of 40 training sessions within a years-time, prior to final testing. Training sessions may include classes, field trips, and/or approved events, with no less than 25 training classes and no less than 10 field trips. While training may start prior to the dog’s first birthday, and is recommended prior to the dog’s first birthday, these 40 sessions must be completed after the dog has reached their first birthday. Clients may be required, at the request of the Head Trainer, to attend additional sessions as needed.
Clients wishing to work with ACTS prior to the dog’s first birthday have the option of attending the A+ Puppy Program as well as classes, field trips, and approved events. While these are not required, they are recommended. Early training offers the opportunity to properly socialize your puppy and properly teach your puppy the foundation skills needed for both service and facility therapy dog work.
Clients must agree to turn in to ACTS all service dog vests that have been purchased by the client for the purposes of public access training, prior to the start of training with ACTS. Clients must also agree that during the training process they will not use any vests or equipment that identifies their dog as a service dog or service dog in training without the express permission of ACTS. ACTS will return all equipment upon completing of or release from the program.
In the case of service dogs, clients will be provided with an “In Training” blue vest when the Head Trainer determines that the team is ready for public access training. Once this vest has been provided, the client must agree to abide by all the standards and requirements set forth by and for the ACTS training program. This vest is the property of ACTS and must be returned upon completion of the program or upon release from the program.
Clients completing the program will be provided with a graduate vest and ID from ACTS Both will have the ACTS logo signifying certification and the Assistance Dogs International logo signifying accreditation. Service dog clients will agree to use the ACTS provided vest and ID, whenever the team is working in public. All certified teams will agree to conduct themselves according to the laws and to the standards of excellence required by ACTS.
Clients will be provided with support from the ACTS team during the training time and post-graduation. Any required post-graduation training, either private or within group classes, will be billed to clients at a predetermined fee.
Clients must agree to comply with the ACTS follow-up procedures including six months of monthly follow-ups after certification, yearly follow-ups, yearly veterinary follow-ups, and recertification when appropriate. Details of these follow-up procedures will be provided to clients upon acceptance into the program.
For more information on this program, how to apply, and pricing please contact ACTS.