Service Dog FAQs

Wait times depend on several factors. Priority of applicants is 1) Veterans & First Responders; 2) Children 12+; 3) Non-veteran adults.

OFP’s availability of funds, trainers, and other variables impact the number of people we can interview for the program. We are a small nonprofit. The quality of services we provide for our clients is critical to us, to clients, and to their families. Not everyone who applies will be contacted for an interview; not everyone who interviews will be accepted. The program must fit the applicant, and the applicant must also be a good fit for OFP’s program.

OFP’s program is designed to create a working partnership between dog and handler. Our goal is for each team to function seamlessly and comfortably together in the “real world”. That takes time, patience and a great deal of repetition. OFP requires a commitment to attend 2 classes per week, as well as doing homework. An OFP-certified team will have completed a minimum of 1000 hours of group and independent training. Training proceeds at the pace of each dog and handler. Some take longer than 48 weeks to achieve the level of teamwork they need.

OFP spends about $20,000 per team, but none of those costs are passed along to clients. Accepted applicants receive everything they need to successfully complete the program at no charge. OFP provides the dog, veterinary care, food and equipment for the dog, as well as training, access to a therapist, and specialized services for the handler as needed.

No; as Founder Mary Cortani says, “You don’t get the dog you want; you get the dog you need.” When matching a dog with a client, OFP takes into consideration the person’s medical needs, personality, family situation and other factors that will create a successful team.

OFP service dogs are trained to calmly and comfortably accompany their handlers in public. They must be safe around children, other dogs, medical equipment, etc. These dogs alert to potential issues related to the handler’s medical needs. We do not train “protection” or “guardian” dogs.

When we evaluate dogs for OFP’s program, we look at approximately 30 variables. If your dog has the “right stuff” to be YOUR service dog, we will consider teaching you to train him/her. Keep in mind that not every dog has the temperament, desire or ability to be a service dog. Each applicant’s medical needs play a significant part in determining what dog will be able to do the necessary tasks. If we agree to accept your dog, you are responsible for the dog’s veterinary and food costs; OFP will provide training at no charge, along with standard OFP service dog gear such as leash, treat bag and vest.

No. There are many other reputable service dog organizations that offer pre-trained dogs. OFP’s model teaches handlers how to train and use the dogs we match with them to manage/mitigate their individual medical disability(s).

Not every autistic individual can benefit from a service dog. However, we have successfully helped some clients aged 15+ on the spectrum train their service dogs. Children must be physically able to handle and train the dogs themselves. For any youngster, this program demands significant patience and commitment on the part of the entire family. For children younger than 15, or those who cannot physically handle/train a dog themselves, we recommend researching organizations that specialize in pre-trained autism service dogs.

Service dogs are highly trained to do tasks that mitigate or manage their handlers’ medical conditions. Service dogs fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information about Service Animals, click here.

ESAs may or may not be trained; they provide comfort to their disabled owners. ESAs fall under HUD (the Department of Housing and Urban Development). They can only go where pets are allowed. For more information about Assistance Animals click here.

Trained service dogs that perform tasks that mitigate or manage their handlers’ medical conditions are typically allowed to accompany them where the public is allowed to go. However, if a service dog causes a disruption, the handler can legally be required to remove it from the premises, then return without the animal. (The ADA protects the disabled person, not the dog.) For more information, click here.

We have opportunities for volunteers to help with events and with indoor/outdoor cleaning and tidying around the Center. We do welcome motivated high school students who need volunteer hours for graduation. Because of potential liability, we do not allow volunteers to work directly with dogs. For more information, email [email protected], or phone the Center at (408) 683-9010.