Application Process For Children
Does your child qualify for a service dog?
Service Dogs Alabama provides Service Dogs to children who meet this criteria:
to see you if you qualify to apply, click questionnaire button below.
Is a resident of Alabama.
Is 14 years old or older depending on maturity.
Recipient is attending a traditional public or private school or is active as a homeschooler.
Recipient has the ability and responsibility to care for, manage, and make safety decisions for his dog on his or her own.
Recipient has no history of violent behavior.
Recipient has a qualifying disability for a service dog under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Completes the application and meets financial responsibilities (see application process).
Has a recommendation for a service dog from a medical doctor who has treated the applicant for at least six months.
Home passes an inspection to certify the living environment is safe and comfortable for a dog (fenced yards are required with few exceptions).
Family passes a formal interview to assure all family members are supportive.
Family has the financial means to properly support a service dog and the time required to assist in maintaining the dog’s training.
The lifestyle of the recipient (or parent) is suitable for having a service dog.
Recipient (or parent) agrees to the SDA Care and Training Guidelines.
Recipient (or parent) agrees to attend training sessions as requested by SDA Trainers.
Recipient (or parent) agrees to re-evaluation and re-certification requirements at our Training Facility in Hope Hull, AL annually for the first 3 years that he/she has his SDA service dog.
Recipient (or parent) commits annual check ins for the working life of the dog.
Recipient and family agrees to attend a week long training at the time of the dog’s placement with their child.
SDA trains service dogs for children diagnosed with:
Certain types of Autism, primarily Asperger’s Syndrome
Disorders that require assistance for balance or wheelchairs such as MS, Dysautonomia, joint and muscular disorders, and Spina Bifida
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Seizure Assistance
The Process to Apply
Read the Qualifications to make sure that you qualify for a Service Dog.
Print the application, the funding agreement, doctor’s form, and two recommendation forms from the SDA website, complete them, and mail them to Service Dogs Alabama, P.O. Box 310 , Falkville, AL 35622 with a $25.00 non-refundable application fee made payable to Service Dogs Alabama.
Have two friends that you have known for over a year who are non-family members fill out the Letter of Reference FORM on the Application.
Have your Medical Doctor fill out the Doctor’s form on the Application. This must be a Doctor who has treated you for six months or more.
We will notify you via email after your completed Application is received.
We will schedule a Home Visit and Family interview within 60 days after your Application review if you are a good candidate for one of our Service Dogs.
After your Home Inspection, we will notify you about any changes in your home environment that you need to make OR if no changes are necessary, we will notify you of your acceptance and instruct you on how to proceed.
Please keep in mind that it takes time to select and train a Service Dog for your specific needs. Wait times can vary from 1- 2 years. Waiting is the hardest part! Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Guarantees
All Service Dogs placed by SDA are 100% guaranteed to work for you or we will be take them back within the first 6 months and assign another dog to you. You will be provided with all Veterinary records for your dog. SDA does not guarantee the future health of your dog after 3 years due to external contributing factors. At the time of placement, the recipient becomes responsible for all medical care for their service dog. If at any time you are unable to keep your service dog, you must return it to Service Dogs Alabama. All service dogs are transitioned to their recipient on a 30-day trial basis to make sure that particular dog is the right match for you. SDA reserves the right to repossess a service dog if we feel that it is being mishandled according to the Care and Training Guidelines provided to each recipient.