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ADI General
Q: How do I arrange a visit to ADI’s campus?
A: The Institute welcomes visitors! To schedule a
visit to our Santa Rosa Campus, please call 707.545.3647 and
ask for Jorjan or Cheryl. Tours are given every Thursday at 2pm.
We are happy to show you around our training facility. You
can look in on classes in session, see videos that have been
done on our work, meet the staff, and pet some dogs! (Please
do not bring your own dog with you, unless it’s a service
dog)call 707.545.DOGS(3647)
Q: Can you provide a speaker to make a presentation
at our event?
A: Our PR and Community Relations staff are happy
to work with you to accommodate your requests. Please contact
Jorjan Powers at Jorjan@assistancedog.org
Q: Is ADI associated with Canine Companions for
Independence?
A: Dr. Bonita Bergin, our president and CEO, founded
Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) over 30 years ago.
The Assistance Dog Institute is not affiliated with CCI.
Q: Are donations to ADI tax deductible?
A: Yes, ADI is a 501 C3 nonprofit corporation and,
as such, your contributions are tax deductible.
ADI Dogs
Q: What’s the difference between a Service Dog
and an Assistance Dog?
A: A Service Dog helps people that have mobility impairments
by doing such tasks as opening doors, pulling a wheelchair
and retrieving dropped. They are one type of Assistance Dog;
there are also other types of Assistance
Dogs.
Q: Can I get a Service Dog from ADI? How do I apply?
A: How to request
a service dog from ADI is described in detail in "Our
Pups and Dogs" section of this site.
Q: How long is the wait for a Service Dog from ADI?
A: On average, the timeframe is 18 to 24 months. We
use social style matching between a person and a dog to identify
an optimum pairing of a Service Dog team. So, it depends on
when a dog that is the correct match is available.
Q: What is the fee to obtain a service dog?
A: The fee is $2775. This includes $25 application fee, $550 for client training and $2200 for the service dog.
Q: Do you train seizure alert dogs?
A: Our college curriculum includes training methodology
for Service Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Guide Dogs, and Social/Therapy
Dogs. We do not train Seizure-alert Dogs.
Q: What breeds of dogs are most successful as service
dogs?
A: Golden Retrievers, Labrador retrievers and crosses
between these two breeds.
Q: Do you use rescued dogs? Why not?
A: . We find that having our own breeding program
enables us to reliably produce topnotch Service Dogs with
low-aroused temperament and high levels of skill. We do not
train rescued dogs.
Q: What is your graduation rate (% of dogs graduating
vs. dogs that begin training)?
A: One of the challenges in the industry is that the
graduation rates are often as low as 20-30%. Our research
in early puppyhood training is aimed at dramatically improving
that statistic.
Q: What happens to the dogs that don’t graduate? Can
I adopt one?
A: ADI is proud to have a very high rate of dogs that graduate
as Service Dogs, Facility Dogs and Social/Therapy Dogs. Infrequently,
a released dog may be available for adoption.
ADI College Programs
Q: Do you accept international applicants? Are there
any special requirements?
A: Yes, ADI welcomes international students. Students
must follow the procedures regulated by their F-1 visa status.
Immigrant visa residents must provide their assigned “A-number”
or verification of legal residency in California. ADI offers
no visa services. Classes are taught in English so proficiency
is critical. While no formal tests are administered at this
time, an individual interview [in person or by phone] and
email communications between the applicant, the Chief Academic
Officer, and Institute staff will be used to assess the language
skills of the applicant.
Q: Does the college offer programs other than the
Associate of Science degrees?
A: Yes, in addition to AS degrees in Assistance Dog
Education and Human-canine life Sciences, certificate
programs are also offered.
Access Rights
Q: Are business owners required to allow Service Dogs
on planes, trains, in rental housing, hotels, shops restaurants
etc.
A: Yes, in the United States, there are both federal
and state laws that mandate access for Service Dogs. See Access
Rights for more details.
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