Service Dogs

What is a service dog?

A service dog is a highly trained working dog that performs specific tasks to assist a person with a disability. These tasks are directly related to the handler's disability and help them live more independently.

Examples of service dog task may include:

Mobility assistance and balance support
Medical alert and/or response
Interrupting psychiatric episodes
Guiding or grounding during dissociation
Retrieving items or opening doors

Service dogs are legally protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are permitted to accompany their handler in public places.

Service dogs are not the same as emotional support animals or therapy dogs, which do not receive the same public access rights.

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Is a service dog right for you?

Service dogs can be life changing, but they are not the right solution for everyone.

Training a service dog requires significant time, financial commitment, and dedication from the handler. Most service dog take 18-24 months of consistent training before they are fully reliable in public.

Additionally, not every dog has the temperament, health, or stability required to succeed in service work. Even well bred and well trained dogs may not ultimately become service dogs.

Our goal is to help handlers navigate this journey honestly and ethically while prioritizing the well-being of both the handler and the dog.

Our Approach

At Sunflower Journey, we focus on building clear communication, engagement, and trust between the dog and handler.

Our training philosophy emphasizes:

Relationship based training
Ethical use of tools following LIMA framework
Clear structure and expectations for both handler and dog
Individualized training plans for every team

Every dog and handler is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to service dog training.

What we can help with

We offer support for many stages of the service dog journey, including:

Choosing a service dog prospect
Temperament evaluations
Puppy foundations
Basic obedience and engagement
Task training
Public access training
Handler coaching and education
Problem solving during the training process

Our goal is to support owner-trainers through the challenges of training while helping build confident, capable service dog teams.

Program Options

Every handler and dog team has different needs. We offer several training options designed to support teams at different stages of the service dog journey.

Day training
- Day training is a great option for handlers who want consistent professional training while still remaining actively involved in the process.
- Your dog will train directly with the trainer during scheduled sessions while you continue practicing skills at home. Regular handler sessions are included so you can learn how to maintain and build on the training.
- Day training can help with but not limited to:
  - Obedience
  - Engagement and focus
  - Service dog skill development
  - Public access preparation
Board and Train
- Board and train programs provide more intensive training for dogs that need a strong foundation or more structured work.
- During the program, your dog lives and trains with the trainer while working on obedience, engagement, confidence, and service dog skills, etc. Handlers will receive regular updates and scheduled transfer sessions to ensure they are fully prepared to continue the training at home.
- Board and train programs are often used for:
  - Building strong obedience
  - Addressing behavioral challenges
  - Jumpstarting service dog training
  - Advanced skill development
Program Dogs
- Program dogs are dogs that are raised and trained with the intention of becoming service dogs and later being placed with a handler.
- This process includes careful selection, extensive training, and matching the dog to the right handler based on needs, lifestyle, and compatibility.
- Program dogs are a long-term project and availability may be limited with a wait time.

Virtual Sessions
- Virtual session are available for handlers who may only need guidance or who live outside the local training area.
- These sessions allow handlers to receive professional support, troubleshooting, and training advice while continuing to work with their dog at home.
  - Virutal sessions can help with:
    - Problem solving
    - Task development
    - Service dog guidance

Not sure which option is right for you?

Every team is different. If you are unsure which training option would best support your journey, we encourage you to reach out and schedule a consultation so we can discuss your goals and needs.

Program Dogs