The application process is as follows:

STAGE 1

• An applicant must submit a written request to the Helping Paws office in order to receive an application for a service dog.  In this request, the applicant should briefly describe how a service dog would assist him or her in activities of daily living.  Mail the request to:  Application Department, Helping Paws Inc, PO Box 634, Hopkins, MN 55343

• Helping Paws sends an application packet.
• Completed application forms are submitted including the $50 application fee.
• The application is reviewed by Helping Paws.
• Qualified applicants will be scheduled for a personal interview.
• References, both personal and medical, are checked.
• After reviewed by staff, the applicant is notified that Stage 1 of the application process is complete and eligibility to advance to Stage 2 of the application process is either confirmed or denied.

When declining an application for a service dog, the decision will be promptly communicated to the applicant without explanation or reason, unless the Director of Programs in his or her discretion determines that some explanation is appropriate.  Under no circumstances shall the $50 application fee be refunded.

STAGE 2

• Applicants may be asked to attend a training session(s) with a Helping Paws demonstration dog or a “dog in training” in order to evaluate the applicant’s ability to work with a service dog.  Upon satisfactory completion of these evaluations, the applicant will have completed the application process and will be eligible for a service dog from Helping Paws.
• The applicant is placed on a waiting list he or she is matched with a service dog. The waiting period can vary from several months to up to three years.
• The matching process involves the applicant visiting the Helping Paws training center to work with potential matches.
• When a match occurs, the applicant is notified of the match and the date of the Team Training course.
• Three-week Team Training begins where the applicant and his or her service dog learn to work together as a team. A $200 equipment fee is required.

UPON GRADUATION

• The graduate is responsible for working with the Helping Paws Graduate Follow-up Coordinator on follow-up training. This training occurs in your home, work place, and public locations. Frequency of follow-up training is based on individual need for each graduate. Thus, time and frequency of training will vary for each graduate.
• Each graduate team is required to pass the Assistance Dog International (ADI) Public Access Test within the first year of placement.

THE WAITING PERIOD
This can be a lengthy process; sometimes the waiting period for a dog can be as long as three years. This is due to the length of time necessary to raise and train a Helping Paws service dog. Helping Paws can not understate the importance of finding the right match for each applicant and therefore reserves the right to find this perfect match.

Previously approved applications may be removed from the waiting list if:

• The applicant has been on the waiting list for over 2 years and Helping Paws is unable to provide the right match.
• Helping Paws is not able to provide routine follow up in the applicant’s geographic area.
• Staff limitations result in a reassessment of the application and determine an inability to place a service dog with the applicant.

Helping Paws will contact applicants in a prompt manner.  However, applicants may call the Director of Programs at 952-988-9359 extension 10 or email the Director of Programs with any questions.