Apply for an ACTS Dog
If you are looking to apply for a service dog or facility dog, ACTS offers programs for individuals with mobility disabilities and professionals in therapeutic settings.
What geographic area does ACTS serve?
ACTS serves individuals and professionals throughout the Northeastern United States, typically within a 500 mile radius of our New Hampshire training center. This allows us to provide hands on training, placement, and ongoing support for our clients and their dogs.
What types of assistance dogs does ACTS train?
ACTS trains service dogs for individuals with mobility disabilities and facility dogs for professionals working in therapeutic settings such as schools, healthcare, law enforcement and counseling environments.
Mobility service dogs to assist individuals with daily tasks like picking up dropped items, pressing access door buttons, turning on lights and fetching the phone.
ACTS does not train for hearing, Autism, balance dogs, seizure alert dogs, guide dogs for the blind, diabetes alert dogs, dogs for people with Alzheimer's, emotional support, PTSD, or psychiatric dogs. If you are looking for service dogs for these disabilities, please go to www.assistancedogsinternational.org to search for an accredited service dog organization that will serve your needs.
Applications for service dogs are temporarily closed.
At Assistance Canine Training Services (ACTS), our mission is to provide highly trained mobility service dogs to individuals in need. Due to the increasing demand for our dogs and the extended length of our current waiting period, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close our service dog application process.
At this time, our waitlist is full, and we are focusing on serving our existing clients who are awaiting placement. This pause allows us to continue delivering the highest standard of training and care for our dogs and ensures that those currently on our receive the support they need.
When will applications open for ACTS service dogs?
ACTS does not have a set timeline for reopening service dog applications. We are committed to ensuring every client and dog receives the time and support they need, and will reopen applications when our capacity allows. If you would like to be added to our mailing list and be notified when our applications open up fill out this form. Service Dog Application Notification.
In the meantime, we encourage those seeking a service dog to explore resources through Assistance Dogs International (ADI) for accredited programs that may be accepting applications.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support of ACTS and our mission.
Our Facility Dog Program is still accepting applications. If you are a professional working in animal assisted therapy and are interested in a Facility Dog, we encourage you to apply.
Please review the application review policy linked below prior to reaching out.
Contact info@assistancecanine.org to request a prescreening questionnaire to determine if our organization is the right fit for your needs. In your email confirm that you have read and agree to our application policies. See below for our required fundraising information.
How much does an ACTS dog cost?
The cost of breeding, raising, training, and matching an ACTS dog averages over $30,000. Clients who receive these dogs do not pay a fee for them. Instead, they collaborate with ACTS staff to raise funds that support the organization. Clients actively participate in the ACTS fundraising efforts and are considered an essential part of the fundraising team.
Fundraising Minimum:
Service Dog $7,500
Facility Dog $7,500
Community Relations Dog $7,500
Do I have to fundraise to get an ACTS dog?
While fundraising is encouraged, it is not mandatory. ACTS anticipates that each client will aim to contribute $7,500 worth of donations, but the organization is flexible in allowing clients to do so in the manner that suits them best. Clients have the option to make out-of-pocket donations or engage in fundraising activities or a combination of both to reach their contribution goal.
Are the donations I fundraise for ACTS refundable?
It's important to note that donations raised by clients through fundraising efforts are allocated to cover the operational costs associated with breeding, raising, training, and matching ACTS Service or Facility Dogs. These contributions are not earmarked for the direct benefit of a specific client or dog and are therefore not refundable.
Furthermore, donations made to ACTS are tax-deductible, but this can only be claimed if the donation explicitly benefits ACTS and does not directly benefit an individual client. This distinction ensures that the organization can continue its vital work in training and providing assistance dogs to those in need.
Fundraising minimum is subject to change at any time, for any reason.
We are committed to inclusive practices and equitable access in all of our programs.