Frequently asked questionS

We train dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD or traumatic brain injury, individuals with physical disabilities, individuals with autism who are at least 15 years of age, and facility dogs working with professionals in clinical, healthcare, and first responder settings. We do not train PTSD dogs for civilians, seizure or medical alert dogs, hearing dogs, or emotional support dogs.

We are unable to provide service dogs for the following conditions:

• Low vision or individuals who are blind 
• Individuals looking for a medical alert dog for a diagnosis such as diabetes, seizures, or severe allergies. 
• Individuals who are deaf. 
• Individuals with a mental health diagnosis such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, etc.
• Dogs for elopement, tracking, or water safety.

We provide our assistance dogs to our clients free of charge. However, travel related-expenses, and expenses for the ongoing care of the assistance dog is the responsibility of the client.

1. Submit an Inquiry Form: Start by completing the online inquiry form. Our Client Services team will review your submission to learn more about you and your needs.
2. Inquiry Call: If your inquiry looks like you are a potential fit for our program, we'll reach out to schedule a short call to discuss what you are looking for in an assistance dog, what our dogs can do, next steps and what to expect, and answer any questions you may have.
3. Application: If it seems like we may be a good fit following your inquiry call, you'll be sent a link to complete our full application and submit required documents. 
4. Interview: Once your application is submitted, we’ll review and reach out to schedule an interview with our Client Services team.
5. Waitlist: Our team carefully reviews each applicant in order to ensure that our program and dogs are the right fit for our clients. Those accepted onto our waitlist can expect to be matched with a dog within approximately 2.5 years, though this timeline can vary depending on individual needs and the dogs we have available.

No. Our application is now exclusively online. We currently require that applicants have internet and email access as many of our processes and communications are facilitated online. If you do not have access to a computer, or if using a computer is challenging for you, we ask that you work with a family member, friend, neighbor, caseworker, or medical provider to assist you in completing the application.

The application process can take up to a few months. Once accepted onto our waitlist, the approximate time to receive a dog is currently 2.5 years, but wait times can vary depending on client needs and available dogs.

No. Traveling to FSD's facility in Englewood, Colorado for match meetings, attending our two-week long placement class, and for bi-annual recertifications are all part of the requirements of our program.

At Freedom Service Dogs, we train dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD. Non-military civilians who are not first responders do not qualify for a PTSD assist service dog from FSD at this time.

No, you do not need a VA rating to apply for a service dog from our organization. You only need a PTSD diagnosis from your primary care physician (PCP) and an honorable discharge.

Not necessarily. We consider each applicant’s criminal history on a case-by-case basis. If you have a history of animal abuse or violent behavior toward people, it may disqualify you, as that is a safety concern for both our dogs and our staff.

Yes, you are still welcome to apply; however, we ask that applicants with a history of drug or alcohol abuse show at least one year of sobriety before we will place them on the waiting list.

FSD has a purpose-bred breeding program that selects dogs based on strict health and behavior standards required of assistance dogs. FSD works closely with the international breeding collective and other assistance dog organizations to ensure the highest breeding standards for assistance dogs.

FSD breeds and trains Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and golden/Labrador crosses.

No, we only train dogs within our program. We do not train pet dogs or accept dogs to train for specific individuals.

No, however, we train service dogs for individuals with autism who are at least 15 years of age and are able to handle their service dog independently. For a directory of organizations that serve children with autism, visit Assistance Dogs International here: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/member-search/.

FSD will work with each client on a case by case basis to determine if it is appropriate to bring their assistance dog to school based on the specific school environment and skillset of both the handler and dog.

No. FSD does not train assistance dogs to assist with tasks related to elopement or intelligent disobedience. Additionally, we do not train assistance dogs to do any form of tethering due to safety concerns for both the handler and the dog.

All of our funding comes from donations. Most of this funding comes from private donations, and some comes from non-government grants.

Placement classes are held onsite at the FSD facility for two weeks in February, April, June, August, October, December. Clients participate in a combination of class lectures, hands-on training, and outings to learn how to work with their new assistance dogs. Placement classes are a mix of different types of clients with different experiences and different needs. FSD prioritizes making the placement class experience conducive to learning and accessible for our clients and will work with each individual to ensure their needs are met and that they feel confident throughout the process.

FSD provides training support for client-dog teams for the entirety of the working partnership. Clients are required to complete monthly reports post-placement which allows client support staff to stay up-to-date on how the team is working together. FSD provides virtual and onsite/local training and guidance prior traveling to provide training when appropriate. Client support staff also provides documentation, resources, and guidance to clients working with an assistance dog. FSD does not provide health or veterinary care support and it is the client’s responsibility to cover planned and unplanned costs incurred after being placed with their dog. 

Our dogs are typically placed with clients when they are almost 2 years old and work with their client for approximately 8 years. Retirement is required when the dog turns 10 years old, but retirement may be recommended earlier, depending on individual circumstances. We want our dogs to be healthy and motivated to work, and when their career is over, they can enjoy some well deserved rest and relaxation.

When an assistance dog retires, the majority of clients choose to keep their dog as a pet. However, we respect that this is not always right for everyone, and FSD will support finding a loving home for the retired dog. If the client is looking for another assistance dog, FSD will start the conversation about applying for a successor dog when the client’s current assistance dog is approximately 8 years old.

No, only service dogs have public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Facility dogs only have access to the public spaces they have explicitly been approved to be in. 

At Freedom Service Dogs, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding customer service. However, if you feel we have not provided this level of service to you, we want to hear from you. Our policy provides the opportunity for applicants, waitlist clients, and active clients to have the opportunity to present their complaints and to appeal management decisions through a dispute-resolution procedure. FSD will promptly resolve all disputes that are within this policy.

To file a complaint or dispute, please document the issue and work directly with the Associate Director of Client Services to resolve the issue. If the complaint or dispute is with the Associate Director of Client Services, the complainant should work directly with the President & CEO. If the complaint or dispute is with the President & CEO, the complainant should work directly with the FSD Board Chair. The person in charge will investigate the complaint, attempt to resolve it, and give a decision to the complainant within a reasonable time including a written and dated summary of the dispute and proposed resolution. If the complainant and person in charge are unable to resolve the issue or if the complainant is dissatisfied with the decision, the complainant may proceed to the next higher level of management. If the complainant is not satisfied with the final FSD decision, the complainant may go to Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and complete its complaint form.