1st Responder Canine Service Dogs
Placement Procedure and Criteria
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Preliminary Application Procedure
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➔ First submit an inquiry to our website
https://frkp.org please indicate type of assistance dog you are applying for and your need. Before submitting inquiry, please review the following requirements:
● Applicant must be able to travel to 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs headquarters located in Stafford, Virginia for a minimum of two weeks for training.
● During training applicant must demonstrate proficiency in handling assistance dog and caring for health, safety, and well-being.
● If applying for a PTSD service dogs applicant must:
○ Have an official PTSD diagnosis from medical professional
○ Be actively engaged in therapy for minimum of 1 year
● If applying for a service dog, applicant must present medical need for service dog. Applicant should understand that 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs may not be able to train specific tasks to meet their needs.
● Applicant must be available and willing to communicate with 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs staff during application and placement process, as well as post-placement.
● Applicant may be asked to submit proof of finances sufficient for caring for assistance dog
➔ Phone call with Director of Training to determine eligibility.
● Director of Training will discuss with applicant needs and lifestyle to determine if assistance dog from 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs would be a good fit for individual.
○ Direct of Training will analyze tasks desired of assistance dog and if we can meet basic needs.
● Applicant will be given application packet to fill out and return or be referred to another organization that may be able to meet needs
➔ Placement Application and Medical History Form
● Applicant will be sent application to complete and submit back to 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs.
● Applicant will have medical provider fill out Medical History Form and submit back to 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs
● Once full application is complete and submitted, staff will review application to determine eligibility. If approved, applicant will be scheduled for an in person interview or video call.
● In conjunction with 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs application, applicants are encouraged to submit applications and inquiries with other service dog organizations due to wait times. For more information, please seek advice from Director of Training.
➔ Interview Process
● Applicant will be scheduled for an in person or video call interview with Director of Training and other FRK9 staff.
● Placement team bases decision regarding assistance dog placement per the following criteria:
○ If applying for a service dog, is a service dog necessary for the applicant to mitigate a disability.
○ Can assistance dog perform enough specific tasks to benefit applicant
○ Can applicant properly handle and care for assistance dog
● Applicant will be notified as to whether their request for an assistance dog has been approved. Applicant will be placed onto assistance dog wait list until an assistance dog becomes available that meets needs of individual and matches personality.
○ Please note this is the longest part of application process
○ If local, applicant is encouraged to participate in puppy mentor class and events appropriate and recommended by Director of Training to stay involved.
○ Please note that approval of application does not guarantee the applicant will receive an assistance dog.
➔ Notification of Placement and Training Procedure
● Applicant will be notified of scheduled Team Training at 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs headquarters in Virginia.
● Director of Training will send out welcome packet and details regarding Team Training and the placement process.
● Team training is a minimum of 2 weeks and applicants must successfully complete team training before leaving with their assistance dog. It is highly recommended that the applicant purchases travel insurance in the case dates need to be adjusted.
○ Arrival and completion of team training does not guarantee assistance
dog will leave with applicant. 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs
reserves the right to stop placement at any time.
Placement Interruptions
● 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs is involved with the assistance dog team for the life of the dog. 1st Responder Canine reserves the right to stop the placement at any time before, during or after placement. Reasons to end placement may include but are not limited to:
○ Team is unable to pass the Assistance Dogs International Public Access test
○ Applicant is unable to handle assistance dog to 1st Responder Canine requirements
○ Assistance dog is not meeting applicant needs
○ Applicant is unable to care for assistance dog
○ Applicant is not using assistance dog as intended
○ Dogs health, safety, and well being is at jeopardized due to placement
➔ Post Placement Expectation
● Applicant will be expected to communicate with 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs staff regarding dog behavior and work habits.
● Teams are required to return to headquarters for recertification regularly and additional training if necessary. Teams will be required to recertify at headquarters within 12 months of graduation and every 24 months after first
year.
● Applicant must sign a release for their health providers, giving 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs access to communicate yearly for purpose of follow up and improvements in results of assistance dog.
● Applicant must submit yearly wellness exam on assistance dog from licensed Veterinarian.
https://frkp.org please indicate type of assistance dog you are applying for and your need. Before submitting inquiry, please review the following requirements:
● Applicant must be able to travel to 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs headquarters located in Stafford, Virginia for a minimum of two weeks for training.
● During training applicant must demonstrate proficiency in handling assistance dog and caring for health, safety, and well-being.
● If applying for a PTSD service dogs applicant must:
○ Have an official PTSD diagnosis from medical professional
○ Be actively engaged in therapy for minimum of 1 year
● If applying for a service dog, applicant must present medical need for service dog. Applicant should understand that 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs may not be able to train specific tasks to meet their needs.
● Applicant must be available and willing to communicate with 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs staff during application and placement process, as well as post-placement.
● Applicant may be asked to submit proof of finances sufficient for caring for assistance dog
➔ Phone call with Director of Training to determine eligibility.
● Director of Training will discuss with applicant needs and lifestyle to determine if assistance dog from 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs would be a good fit for individual.
○ Direct of Training will analyze tasks desired of assistance dog and if we can meet basic needs.
● Applicant will be given application packet to fill out and return or be referred to another organization that may be able to meet needs
➔ Placement Application and Medical History Form
● Applicant will be sent application to complete and submit back to 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs.
● Applicant will have medical provider fill out Medical History Form and submit back to 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs
● Once full application is complete and submitted, staff will review application to determine eligibility. If approved, applicant will be scheduled for an in person interview or video call.
● In conjunction with 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs application, applicants are encouraged to submit applications and inquiries with other service dog organizations due to wait times. For more information, please seek advice from Director of Training.
➔ Interview Process
● Applicant will be scheduled for an in person or video call interview with Director of Training and other FRK9 staff.
● Placement team bases decision regarding assistance dog placement per the following criteria:
○ If applying for a service dog, is a service dog necessary for the applicant to mitigate a disability.
○ Can assistance dog perform enough specific tasks to benefit applicant
○ Can applicant properly handle and care for assistance dog
● Applicant will be notified as to whether their request for an assistance dog has been approved. Applicant will be placed onto assistance dog wait list until an assistance dog becomes available that meets needs of individual and matches personality.
○ Please note this is the longest part of application process
○ If local, applicant is encouraged to participate in puppy mentor class and events appropriate and recommended by Director of Training to stay involved.
○ Please note that approval of application does not guarantee the applicant will receive an assistance dog.
➔ Notification of Placement and Training Procedure
● Applicant will be notified of scheduled Team Training at 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs headquarters in Virginia.
● Director of Training will send out welcome packet and details regarding Team Training and the placement process.
● Team training is a minimum of 2 weeks and applicants must successfully complete team training before leaving with their assistance dog. It is highly recommended that the applicant purchases travel insurance in the case dates need to be adjusted.
○ Arrival and completion of team training does not guarantee assistance
dog will leave with applicant. 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs
reserves the right to stop placement at any time.
Placement Interruptions
● 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs is involved with the assistance dog team for the life of the dog. 1st Responder Canine reserves the right to stop the placement at any time before, during or after placement. Reasons to end placement may include but are not limited to:
○ Team is unable to pass the Assistance Dogs International Public Access test
○ Applicant is unable to handle assistance dog to 1st Responder Canine requirements
○ Assistance dog is not meeting applicant needs
○ Applicant is unable to care for assistance dog
○ Applicant is not using assistance dog as intended
○ Dogs health, safety, and well being is at jeopardized due to placement
➔ Post Placement Expectation
● Applicant will be expected to communicate with 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs staff regarding dog behavior and work habits.
● Teams are required to return to headquarters for recertification regularly and additional training if necessary. Teams will be required to recertify at headquarters within 12 months of graduation and every 24 months after first
year.
● Applicant must sign a release for their health providers, giving 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs access to communicate yearly for purpose of follow up and improvements in results of assistance dog.
● Applicant must submit yearly wellness exam on assistance dog from licensed Veterinarian.
Disclaimers
❖ All applicants will be considered regardless of race, gender, religion, creed, sexual
orientation, and ethnic origin.
❖ Approved successor dogs have priority over first time applicants
❖ Wait times will vary depending on specific needs and dog availability
❖ 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs reserves the right to end application, training, or
placement process at any time.
❖ All applicants will be considered regardless of race, gender, religion, creed, sexual
orientation, and ethnic origin.
❖ Approved successor dogs have priority over first time applicants
❖ Wait times will vary depending on specific needs and dog availability
❖ 1st Responder Canine Service Dogs reserves the right to end application, training, or
placement process at any time.
