you asked we answered, Frequently asked questions:

How do Autism Assistance Dogs help?

Autism assistance dogs provide valuable support in several ways, including preventing bolting, interrupting repetitive behaviors, Deep pressure therapy and other related tasks. Research has shown that these dogs can break down barriers children may face, such as communication, insecurity, or interaction barriers. Most importantly, these dogs bring peace of mind, independence, confidence, and enhanced security not only to the child but also to their family.

How do diabetic alert dogs help?

Diabetic alert dogs are trained to detect and alert their owners in advance of low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar events, helping to prevent dangerous situations. This early warning gives owners crucial time to take corrective measures and stabilize their blood sugar levels. These dogs are trained specifically to recognize the owner's unique scent, contributing to their effectiveness. In addition to enhancing security, they also assist in lowering A1C levels.

How do seizure service dogs help?

Seizure service dogs are trained to detect the chemical changes that occur in the body before and during a seizure. They may alert their owners beforehand, providing crucial time for necessary precautions. If the dog doesn't detect the scent in time, it stays close to the handler for comfort during the seizure. Additionally, these dogs are trained to seek assistance during a seizure and bring help to their owner, thereby enhancing safety and support.

How do I know it's going to work?

No dog can be guaranteed to perform any service 100% of the time, and dogs do not replace medical procedures. However, our dogs are trained to alert, recognize your unique scents, and provide assistance when needed. Each dog that goes home is considered a career dog, trained for specific tasks tailored to an individual's needs. This training becomes a way of life for the dog. All our dogs undergo extensive hours of training to ensure they meet our rigorous standards..

How long is the application process?

Our application process consists of two parts: the prescreening and phone interview, followed by the admittance packet and approval process. This streamlined approach allows us to expedite our turnaround time. Typically, you can expect the entire process to take 10–20 business days, depending on when you're ready to start. During this time, one of our representatives will contact you to initiate the process.

Can you train our own dog or puppy?
Currently, we handpick and raise all dogs for the program from a young age. This selection process begins with carefully choosing puppies known for their temperament, intelligence, and suitability for service dog training. From the early stages of development, our dedicated team focuses on socializing the puppies, exposing them to various environments, and initiating foundational training. By nurturing them from puppyhood in this meticulous manner, we increase our success rate in preparing them for the program's requirements.

What types of dogs does Loyalty Service Dogs use?

We primarily work with Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, and a mix of these breeds, such as Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. We are also open to considering other breeds, provided they are at least 40 pounds and not of the protection type breed.

Can we have other pets in our home?

Yes, you can have other pets in your home. However, it's important to remember that a service dog is not a pet and must be treated differently. Even a well-trained service dog can pick up new habits from your other pets, such as barking at passersby or getting on furniture. We advise our clients that having other pets, especially dogs, will require additional reinforcement and management on their part.

How do you ensure the dog gets used to me?

We understand how easily dogs can adapt to new people, so we ensure each dog in our program interacts with multiple trainers. This approach ensures that the dog does not become overly attached to any one person during training and learns to respond to commands from different individuals. The first 30 days are crucial for building a bond between the dog and its new owner & we make sure to give you all the tools to ensure the teams success.

How old are the dogs when they’re delivered?
When delivered, a client's dog will typically be between 1.5 to 2 years old.

Can the service dog go anywhere with the applicant?
Although there's no government-issued certification, when delivered, our service dogs will be certified through Loyalty Service Dogs (LSD) standards, which adhere to the ADI (Assistance Dogs International) standards and have completed all necessary training. Each dog will have its own service dog ID. Service dogs are protected under federal law and have the right to accompany the applicant anywhere they go.. Please visit www.ada.gov/service for more information regarding service dogs' rights.

Does the service dog attend school with my child?
Yes, our service dogs are integrated into the client's lifestyle as much as possible. We introduce the dog to the client's everyday routines by familiarizing it with places they frequently visit, including schools, stores, and restaurants. During our 2- to 3-day in-home delivery process, we also introduce the dog to the child's school environment to help it acclimate to its new surroundings

What kind of training methods does Loyalty Service Dogs use? 
Loyalty Service Dogs utilizes positive reinforcement training methods that adhere to our specific guidelines. We emphasize rewarding good behavior while teaching dogs that undesirable behavior is not acceptable. Our comprehensive training program covers a wide range of skills including obedience, socialization, scent work, alerting, public access training, deep pressure therapy, and more. Each dog undergoes tailored training based on the specific services they will provide

Does Loyalty Service Dogs use generic scent samples for the training?
No, Loyalty Service Dogs does not use generic scent samples for training. Our approach is unique and tailored to each client. We train each dog with the specific scent samples provided by the applicant, which are collected and sent to us. This personalized approach helps maximize the dog's ability to alert effectively

Is Loyalty Service Dogs part of Assitance Dogs International?
No, Loyalty Service Dogs is not part of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) because ADI only accepts non-profit organizations as members. However, we adhere to and practice ADI's written standards. We are currently members of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and certified as American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Evaluators.

Is Loaylty Service Dogs a Non-Profit?

Loyalty Service Dogs operates as a small, family-owned business rather than a non-profit organization, unlike around 80% of service dog organizations. These non-profits are governed by their own sets of rules, regulations, boards, and restrictions. By maintaining our structure as a small, family-owned business, we aim to bring a unique approach to the field. This setup allows us to capitalize on personalization inherent in small businesses while still making a substantial impact through our service dog programs.

Can you recommend a trainer or company in my area? 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide referrals to other trainers or companies as we do not verify their quality, training methods or standards. 

Where do you place dogs?
Loyalty Service Dogs proudly places dogs throughout the United States. For clients outside of the U.S., we offer a pickup option.

Does Loyalty Service Dog have delivery services available?
Yes, this is a crucial component of our program's success. We offer 'door delivery,' where one of our certified dog trainers delivers your dog directly to your doorstep. During the 3-day in-home delivery, the trainer spends the entire day with you and the applicant, providing comprehensive education on all aspects of your service dog.

Is Loyalty Service Dog available to answer questions after the placement is complete?
Yes, Loyalty Service Dogs' post-delivery procedure includes a weekly check-in during the first month to ensure the team's success. LSD is available to provide support for any questions or concerns our clients may have after the delivery of the dog. We are happy to assist with any inquiries

Does L.S.D provide additional training after placement?
Yes, L.S.D. offers a team refresher course annually at our facility for all dogs and handlers that have completed our program. For more dates and information, please contact us by phone or email.