NOTICE: DUE TO OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO OUR UPCOMING WAVE 7, ACCEPTANCE OF NEW APPLICATIONS ARE PAUSED. WE WILL RESUME ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AFTER OCTOBER 2024. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO ENSURE ALL APPLICANTS ON OUR CURRENT WAITLIST CAN BE QUALIFIED.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Thank you for expressing interest in applying for a dog with California Service Dog Academy (CSDA).  We want to make sure applicants are serious about the undertakings of bringing a California Service Dog Academy Dog into their lives. We have created a comprehensive application that will allow us to gather the most information about our applicants as possible.  

We recommend checking out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information on our programs!
Please review all of the information on this page before applying.

ACCEPTANCE OF NEW APPLICATIONS ARE PAUSED UNTIL OCTOBER 2024

Dr./Clinician Recommendation Template

​Before submitting your application please review the following: 


California Service Dog Academy follows a policy of equal opportunity as set forth by California state law and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). The law requires full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments.
California Service Dog Academy will accept applications from anyone regardless of the following:
•Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex or gender
• Gender identity or gender expression
• Sexual orientation
• Marital status
• National origin
• Ancestry
• Genetic information
• Age (over 40)
Under the Ralph Civil Rights Act, it is against the law for any person to threaten or commit acts of violence against a person or property based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, sex/ gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or position in a labor dispute.
California Service Dog Academy adheres to a strict policy that calls for everyone to be treated with respect and dignity within the organization. This includes staff, clients, volunteers, board members, and applicants. Anyone who does not treat others within the organization with respect and dignity will be asked to leave the program.

 CSDA treats all people with dignity and courtesy, and expects clients to be a representation of this policy. Clients are representatives of CSDA and should present themselves as respectful and courteous at all times and in all situations. Conduct that is hostile, threatening, or offensive to anyone at any time is unacceptable and those performing this behavior will be asked to leave the program. CSDA will take appropriate steps in a timely manner to prevent and correct all inappropriate behavior, including harassment. These steps may include, but are not limited to, counseling, education, disciplinary action, transfer, demotion or termination.

Eligibility (Sentinel Dogs): In order to be eligible for CSDA's Sentinel Dog Program, the following guidelines must be met

1. You are a Veteran 
2. You have a disability of some kind (please ask us if you are not sure!)
3. You can provide a DD-214
4. Your Doctor can provide a note recommending a Sentinel Service Dog for you
5. You are willing to put in the work!

Eligibility (CARE Dogs): In order to be eligible for CSDA's CARE Dog Program, the following guidelines must be met

1. You have a disability of some kind (please ask us if you are not sure!
2. Your Doctor can provide a note recommending a Service Dog for you.
3. Your can provide a letter of reference from a family member or friend
4. ​You live within 150 miles of Visalia, CA
5. You are willing to do some of the work!

​
Additional Requirements for Owner-Trained Dogs:

1. Your dog should have no history of aggression or fearfulness. Please let us know if you have any concerns regarding your dog's behavior so we can help you in the best way possible!
2. You must license your dog with your city or county of residence.
3. Your dog must be spayed or neutered prior to graduating from the program.
4. Dogs must be at least 16 weeks old and fully vaccinated prior to entering the program. CSDA recommends entering the program with a dog at least 1 year of age or older. If you enter the program with a dog less than 1 year of age, your timeline for the program may be longer than the anticipated 12 month timeline.
5. Your dog must be free of fleas and ticks and be receiving anti-parasite medication regularly.
6. ​Your dog should be physically healthy in order to be a service dog. CSDA recommends all dogs receive health testing and a physical examination by a licensed veterinarian before applying to our program. Some of the health testing recommendations include:

• Overall physical fitness and ability of your dog to perform service work
• Hip evaluation (OFA)
• Elbow evaluation (OFA)
• Eye exam

   7. Your dog must be up to date on the following vaccinations at MINIMUM: 

• Rabies
• Distemper
• Parvovirus
• Parainfluenza
• Bordetella

        You must be able to provide proof of these vaccinations.

Required Documents: CSDA requires applicants submit the following documents at various stages in our application process.

1. Proof of Stable Housing for 6+ Months
2. Intake Questionnaire (to be completed by your recommending doctor)
3. Authorization and Disclosure for Background Check
4. Release of Information to contact your doctor​

Available Services: If accepted as a participant with California Service Dog Academy, the following services are available to you:

• Advice on service dogs
• Whether a service dog is right for you
• Evaluation of your personal dog or other dog as a potential service dog
• Training advice and guidance
• Consultation on service dog laws and policies
• Placement of a service dog
• Service dog temperament testing and suggestions

Documents of Identification/Name Changes: Regardless of the program you are applying to, each document submitted must clearly show the name of the individual for whom is applying.  If the applicant's name does not match from document to document or to applicant's present name, the applicant is required to submit a form of public record that demonstrates the link between the documents and records and the applicant. As such, acceptable forms of public record are complete and authorized marriage certificates, divorce decrees, adoption decrees, or court orders.  Failure to provide a name change document may result in disqualification from our program.  Please speak with a CSDA representative if you are unsure of what to submit.

Costs Involved- Sentinel Dog Program: In CSDA’s Sentinel Dog Service Dog Program, there is no cost to you, as a VETERAN to obtain a service dog from CSDA. Applicants are not required to participate in fundraising or public relations activities without their expressed and voluntary permission.

Costs Involved- CARE Dog Program:  In CSDA’s CARE Dog Service Dog Program, there is a cost to you. Minimum cost is $5,000 and maximum cost is $20,000. Specific costs depend on the individual applicant's situation and depend on whether or not they have a dog and the amount of training needed. Applicants are not required to participate in fundraising or public relations activities without their expressed and voluntary permission.

Timeline: CSDA’s program first consists of a 6-week handler course where you will learn the basics of training with CSDA and the standards for service dogs in our program among other things. After that course, you may have your dog evaluated to be trained as a service dog or you may be placed with a dog provided by CSDA. Training a service dog is no easy task. There are many variables that can influence how long your dog’s training may take, such as:
1. Dog’s age at time of evaluation
2. Dog’s training to date at time of evaluation
3. How much training is needed for dog to pass Public Access & Task Training
4. How much time YOU can spend working with your dog
Depending on the above answers, it can take a minimum of 6 months or up to 2 years to train a service dog.


Steps Involved:

1. Complete Handler course (6 weeks)
2. Get an initial evaluation of your dog first to make sure they have what it takes OR meet the dog provided to you by CSDA (2-4 weeks)
3. Start Basic Obedience Training (1 month)
4. Train in new places under increased levels of distraction (1 month)
5. Work towards passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test (3 months)
6. Work towards passing the Public Access Test (3 months)
7. If dog is showing good progress and no concerning behavior, move on to task training pertinent to your disability. (3 months)
8. If dog passes above tests and can perform at least 3 tasks to mitigate your disability, you now have a legitimate Service Dog through California Service Dog Academy.

Total Time (on average) is 9-12 months.
California Service Dog Academy will usually contact you regarding your status in the program within 2-4 weeks of submitting your application. You will receive updates about your status in the program approximately every month until you are accepted into the program. 

If you have any issues or concerns about our application process, our staff, or our organization, please CLICK HERE to be taken to our complain procedures.