SERVICE DOG PROGRAM

Woman and her dog in training session
Man in red sitting next to shaggy dog

LOCATIONS IN TUCSON & PHOENIX

At Ability Dogs, you train your dog with our expert supervision. Our program, a mix of one-on-one and group classes generally lasting 12-18 months, provides the necessary tools and support to help at every step. When your dog certifies, you’re welcome back each month for a group class at no charge.

Ability Dogs is more than a training center. It’s a community.

See below to learn about tasks we help train.

DIABETIC ALERT

An acute sense of smell allows Diabetic Alert Dogs to detect changes in blood sugar levels, often before handlers notice symptoms and before devices alert them. These remarkable dogs are specially trained to notice dangerous spikes or dips in blood sugar levels and alert their person immediately.

HEARING ALERT

For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, having a Hearing Alert Dog who can alert to doorbells, alarm clocks, and fire alarms can be transformative. Alerting behaviors can include physical contact and leading their handler to the source of the sound. These dogs ensure safety by helping keep their people connected to the audible world.

MOBILITY ASSISTANCE

Individuals facing mobility challenges turn to Mobility Assistance Dogs to greatly improve quality of life. They offer physical support through bracing, can help with opening doors and picking up dropped items, and can assist with wheelchair transfers. These dogs provide independence and confidence in daily activities.

PSYCHIATRIC SUPPORT

Psychiatric Assistance Dogs provide emotional support for those navigating mental health challenges. Dogs are trained to recognize and intervene during episodes related to PTSD, panic disorders, and other conditions. The calming presence and special abilities of a trained dog can transform a life.

SEIZURE RESPONSE

We train dogs to provide support during or after a seizure. They can activate alarm systems, bring medication, or even seek out help for their human. Additionally, we know that the presence of service dog can significantly reduce the anxiety associated with the unpredictability of seizures.

Our Matching Program

Ability Dogs is happy to make a small number of young dogs available to Tucson area applicants who do not have a suitable dog of their own. These specially bred companions possess the ideal temperament and health for service work, and have been nurtured with love, receiving socialization and basic obedience training from birth. The dogs are typically placed with an applicant at about 8-12 months of age.

  • Applicants must live in the Tucson area. The matching program is not available to Phoenix area applicants at this time.

  • Having a dog already does not prevent us from finding a match for you; however, it may influence the matching process.

  • Matches are based on which dog we believe will work best for each person — our training staff will make this decision.

  • We cannot honor requests for a specific breed, gender, or color.

If you qualify for our program, you will be placed on a waiting list. Wait list time varies from a month to a year or more, depending on the number of dogs available. Before a dog is matched with you: 

  • We will do a home visit.

  • You will attend at least 6 training classes where you will have the opportunity to work with available dogs. This provides more information for us to utilize in the matching process.

Printable Overview of Matching Program and Fees  

Interested in applying to this program? Once you've completed the online application below, send the completed medical form(s) along with your $30 consultation fee to: Ability Dogs of Arizona, 75 South Montego Drive, Tucson AZ 85710

  1. Matching Program Application including a financial self-assessment.

  2. Medical Statement -- Submit the form that applies to your disability. If you want to train for both physical and psychiatric tasks, submit both forms:

    Physician Statement -- for Mobility Assistance, Hearing Alert, Diabetic Alert Dogs.

    Mental Health Report -- for Psychiatric Service Dogs.

After receiving your completed forms, we will contact you to schedule a consultation to discuss your needs and goals.

WHAT WE DON´T DO

Please be aware that there are limitations to our services. We do not currently train the following tasks:

  • Guide dogs for blind or visually impaired

  • Allergen alert

  • Support for children or substantial help for adults with Autism

  • Tethering or tracking

  • Calming meltdowns or outbursts

  • Dementia support

  • Recognizing or providing supervision or protection from harmful situations

  • Any form of guarding or protection work

FAQs

Yellow retriever dog in nature
Brown and white poodle

  • At Ability Dogs, you train your dog under the close supervision of our instructors. While other service dog providers train and deliver dogs to people, our proven model helps you and your dog create a lasting bond, and ensures that you fully know one another’s needs. It also allows the added benefit of becoming part of a community.

    1. Application

    2. Dog Matching OR Pet Assessment

    3. Acceptance into Program

    4. Training Program (12-18 months, on avg)

    5. Certification

    6. Free Monthly Group Classes (optional)

    7. Recertification (every 1-3 years)

  • Diabetes Alert
    Hearing Alert
    Physical & Mobility Assistance
    Psychiatric Assistance
    Seizure Response
    POTS

    Don’t see your disability? Ask us.

  • Experts do this for us. We take great care to ensure that everyone we serve qualifies for our services. Before starting the program, we require forms from medical and/or mental health professionals. We call each office to verify.

  • Lessons are generally 4 times per month. Some will be at the training center and others in public settings around the area. Most teams take 12-18 months to complete the program. Close adherence to the schedule is necessary to reach certification.

  • Possibly! Many service dogs in our facility start out as pets. That said, the success of our program depends on making the correct match between a dog and a person. Age and size are primary factors, along with the tasks your dog will be required to perform.

  • Ability Dogs heavily subsidizes the true cost of training a Service Dog through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

    Here’s the breakdown in fees:

    Initial Consultation - $30
    Training Package (monthly) - Tucson students: $260 (2 group lessons & 2 private lessons); Phoenix students: $340 (4 private lessons)
    Additional lessons (as needed) - Tucson students: $80/hour for a private lesson; $50 per group lesson; Phoenix students: $85/hour for a private lesson
    Certification Fee - $250

    If you are applying to the Matching Program, there will be an additional fee for the dog.

    We provide financial assistance whenever possible, so please don’t let finances discourage you from applying.

  • Phoenix too! Applicants must live in the greater Tucson or Phoenix areas. Because of our program requirements, we cannot accept applicants outside of this area, or commuting from outside of this area. We do not offer online training.

  • Absolutely. Certified teams (dog + human) are welcome to attend group classes once per month free of charge, so long as you re-certify on an annual basis.

  • No reputable training organization does this. It would violate ADI standards. We only offer certification tests for dogs who have been trained at Ability Dogs.

We want to hear from you

Do I qualify for a Service Dog?

Can I train my dog or do I need a matched dog?

I have a need not listed, can you help?

Send us your questions and we’ll be in touch.