Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a guide dog and a service dog?
A service dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.
A guide dog is a type of service dog that is specifically trained to assist someone who is disabled by a visual impairment/blindness. A guide dog can help their visually impaired partner confidently navigate the world by avoiding obstacles, remembering common routes, stopping at changes in elevation and avoiding traffic.
Other service dogs can assist veterans, individuals with learning disabilities and other disabled populations. Service dogs that are not in the guide dog category may perform behaviors that interrupt physiological responses to stress. They can also assist with mobility limitations, retrieving objects, opening doors, etc.
What is the difference between service dogs and a Therapy dog/ emotional support animal?
Service dogs are task-trained to assist a person with a disability by performing specific tasks that mitigate their handler’s challenges. They have public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), meaning they can accompany their handler in most public places.
Therapy dogs provide comfort and emotional support to multiple people in settings like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes but are not trained for specific tasks to assist one person with a disability. They do not have public access rights under the ADA.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide companionship and emotional comfort to their owners but are not trained for specific tasks and do not have public access rights.
Our Program Dogs
Our program dogs are about 2-3 years old at the time of placement. Our breeds consist of the following:
- 70% Labrador Retrievers
- 20% Labrador and Golden Retriever Crosses
- 10% Golden Retrievers
What is the cost to receive a guide / service dog?
The cost to breed, raise and train each service dog is approximately $60,000. Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines provides all of our services free of charge to our recipients.
Is veterinary care available after I am partnered with a service or guide dog?
Yes, veterinary care is available through our veterinary department throughout the working life of your service or guide dog at no charge. This includes routine care and routine surgeries provided by our team. While most services are fully covered, a small number of medications and monthly preventatives, such as flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, are not included, but are available at our cost.
What is the process for a dog to become a guide/service dog?
The journey of a puppy becoming a service or guide dog begins with careful breeding to ensure excellent health and the right temperament. At eight weeks old, the puppy is placed with a dedicated volunteer Puppy Raiser, who provides early socialization and foundational training. When the puppy reaches the appropriate age, they transition to formal training, a milestone honored at a special Turn-In Luncheon.
Guide dog candidates are trained in our Sylmar, CA campus by Guide Dog Mobility Instructors (GDMI).
Service dog candidates continue their training in our prison training program, where they receive advanced instruction from incarcerated trainers under the guidance of certified professionals. Once fully trained, the dog is carefully matched with their ideal partner. The journey culminates in a heartfelt ceremony, marking the beginning of the dog’s life-changing partnership as a Guide or Service Dog.
How long is the wait for a guide dog?
The wait time for a guide dog varies for each client, but the application and placement process typically take between 6 months and 1 year.
How long is the wait for a service dog?
The application process for a service dog varies for each client and typically takes up to 6 months. However, the wait time to receive a service dog can be as long as 3 years.
What is the class training program structure?
The training program varies based on the type of placement:
- Veterans, parent/guardian of child with autism, and facility dog handlers complete a 3-week online instruction followed by a 10-day in-residence training program.
- Individuals who are visually impaired/blind participate in a 21-day in-residence training program.
May I get my dog certified as a service dog through you?
No. Guide Dogs of America| Tender Loving Canines only certifies service dogs that we breed, raise and train in our program.
Prison Training Program
Do the puppies live in prison?
Yes, after our puppies are turned in and if selected for the service dog route, they live with the incarcerated individuals. As part of the rehabilitation program the prisons have created fenced in, off-leash yards for the dogs to use during the day for exercise and training.
Our prison program, L.E.A.S.H., which stands for Living Everyday Amends Spreading Hope, dramatically aids in the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals, providing an opportunity for education and community improvement—while helping meet the ever-growing demand for service dogs.
How long is the prison program?
Carefully selected prisoners train our puppies in a 2-year training program. They meet twice a week, under the instruction of our certified staff trainers, where they learn and use positive reinforcement to teach puppies 40 different commands.
What is the Americans Disabilities Act?
The ADA became a civil rights law in 1990 and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. In regards to service animals, the State and Local Governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed. A service animal must be harnessed, leashed or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or the devices interfere with the animals safe, effective performance of tasks.
