Service Dog Program

Man in red sitting next to shaggy dog

LOCATIONS IN TUCSON & PHOENIX

Woman and her dog in training session

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 all the necessary tools and support to help you at every step.

After your dog certifies, you’re welcome back for free group classes at no charge. We’re with you for the long haul.

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

See the tasks service dogs can perform below

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, with the option for applicants to foster puppies themselves before starting service dog training.

  • All criteria, program requirements, and fees for our Service Dog Training Program will apply, in addition to the purchase price of the dog. Financial assistance may be available.

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

  • Having a dog in your home already does not prevent us from finding a match for you, as long as your current dog is dog-friendly and a positive influence.

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

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

  • We have little control over when we receive puppies.

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.

FAQs

  • 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 Group Classes (optional)

    7. Recertification (every 1-3 years)

  • Diabetic Alert
    Hearing Alert
    Physical & Mobility Assistance
    Psychiatric Assistance including PTSD and panic disorders
    Seizure Response
    POTS

    Don’t see your disability? Please 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 the forms are valid.

  • 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, temperament, 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
    Monthly cost - $260 (Tucson) and $340 (Phoenix)*
    Certification Fee - $250

    If you are applying to the Matching Program, there will be an additional fee for the dog. Our generous donors help us provide financial assistance whenever possible, so please don’t let finances discourage you from applying.

    *All Phoenix training is one-on-one, resulting in a higher fee.

  • Currently, applicants must live in the greater Tucson or Phoenix areas. Because of our program requirements, we cannot accept applicants who cannot commute to and from Tucson or Phoenix once a week.

  • Absolutely. Certified teams (dog + human) are welcome to attend group classes free of charge, so long as the class has space and 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. If your dog performs tasks for you and you want to join the program, it will take a minimum of 6 months.

Let’s Start the Conversation

Service dogs are life changing but getting started can feel overwhelming sometimes. The good news is we’re here to help simplify the process and make it as easy as possible.

You may have questions about finding a dog, associated costs, how owner-train programs work, and literally anything else. We’ve heard it all, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Let us know about you and what you’re looking for, and we will reach out to start exploring opportunities!