Career Change Dogs

At Dogs for Better Lives, our Career Change dogs have chosen a “career” path outside of our programs, either by transitioning to one of our partner organizations as another type of working dog, or on occasion, being adopted as a loving pet dog.

Career Change Dogs are wonderful dogs who are happy and healthy but just not suited to working in our Hearing, Autism or Facility Dog Programs. We have a Career Change Dog waiting list for those who are interested in adopting one of these amazing dogs.

About Career Change Dogs

Many of the dogs at DBL are Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and crosses of these two breeds. DBL also places shelter dogs as assistance dogs. While rare, opportunities to adopt a retired or returned shelter dog may also occur. On occasion, a puppy or dog will be released from training due to a medical diagnosis or an identified behavioral concern. While they are not suitable for working dog careers, these dogs become wonderful pets with families who are willing to manage the concerns identified.

DBL requires adoptive homes to meet the dog at the regional campus prior to adoption. Career Change Dogs have a $1500 adoption fee. These adoption fees will help us fund the professional training and caring for future Assistance Dogs.

Join the Waitlist

Applying to the Career Change Dog Waiting List does not guarantee placement with a dog, nor can we estimate how long it will take for a dog to become available. We have a lifetime commitment to all dogs in our care, and our priority is to ensure the dog receives a suitable forever home that is a good match for its temperament, energy level and management.

For more information on being added to our Career Change Dog waiting list, please call (800) 990-3647 extension “0” and provide your email address in the voicemail.

Career Change Dog Liam with his adopter, Kavya

Hearing Dog Program Requirements

About Our Dogs

We select dogs from area shelters based on temperament and age, not size, sex, or appearance. All of our Dogs receive extensive program work and obedience training. Hearing Dogs are trained to alert to sounds by making physical contact then leading you to the sound. Additionally, many of our Hearing Dogs are certified for public access.

Our standards and criteria for determining whether or not a dog is suitable for access to public places are very high. Only dogs that can ignore other dogs, handle being exposed to busy, noisy and crowded environments as well as comfortable with all types of people are appropriate to be in public.

When we match a dog with a client, we look at a variety of factors: the needs of the client both for work at home and in public, lifestyle and energy level and the confidence the dog has in new environments and situations. Dogs are matched with individuals based on the temperament of the dog and the lifestyle, personality, activity level, health, and environment of the person. We do not place dogs based on personal preference.

Home Environment

There can be no other dogs in the household with a Hearing Dog with the possible exception of a retired Dogs for Better Lives Hearing Dog. If you have other pets and are not willing to re-home them, your application may be denied due to the difficulties of having a professionally trained dog work around those types of distractions.

We typically require a fenced area attached to the home.

It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.

Financial Commitment

The cost of feeding and caring for one of our professionally trained dogs could be over $1,500 per year. This includes but is not limited to food, toys, vet care, etc. This does not include any unforeseen illness or injury. The client is financially responsible for the dog’s care once the dog is placed with the person.

Personal Skills

A client must be at least 18 years old, willing and able to physically, mentally, and emotionally care for the dog without assistance.

The Hearing Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.

Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.

Before applying, please carefully consider the following points.

Our professionally trained dogs require:

• A minimum of one full year of training with you as a team
• Your total commitment and willingness to work with them daily
• Your ability to schedule practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Your patience and positive attitude
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Taking sole responsibility for the care of the dog so that the dog will bond with you
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with you
• Attending an obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer

Autism Assistance Dog Program Requirements

Home Environment

There can be no other dogs in the household with an Autism Assistance Dog. If you have other pets and are not willing to re-home them, your application may be denied due to the difficulties of having a professionally trained dog work around those types of distractions.

We require a fenced area attached to the home.

It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

To qualify for our Autism Program, the child on the autism spectrum cannot be diagnosed with any other disabilities. To provide the best support for our clients, our dogs are trained for one specific skill set and not, for example, dually trained as Hearing Dogs. Please call for more information and clarification.

The Autism Assistance Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.

Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.

Before you begin the application process, it is important that you read this information:

• We require a fenced area attached to the home
• Due to the difficulties of having a dog work around distractions, Autism Assistance Dogs must be the only dog in the home
• Autism Assistance Dogs are only placed with clients between 4-8 years old
• You will be required to attend obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer

Our professionally trained dogs require:

• Minimum of one full year of training as a team
• Total commitment and willingness to work with your dog daily
• The ability to place practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Stopping whatever you are doing to work with your dog when he/she is confused or does not work properly
• Being patient and positive with your dog
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with the child

Facility Dog Program Requirements

About Our Dogs

All of our Dogs receive extensive program work and obedience training. Facility Dogs can provide a calming effect, allowing the professional to better serve or treat their clients. These dogs do not have public access except when accompanying the professionals and their clients in order to provide assistance to the clients.

When we match a Dog with a client, we look at a variety of factors: the needs of the client both for work at home and in public, lifestyle and energy level and the confidence the dog has in new environments and situations.

Home Environment

If you have a pet dog in your home, the following must be true about him/her:

Is at least three years of age
Is housetrained
Has been taught a few basic commands
Gets along well with other dogs
Is spayed/neutered
Is up to date on vaccines and flea/tick prevention
Has no history of aggression to humans or other dogs
Is an indoor dog

We typically require a fenced area attached to the home.

It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

A Facility Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.

Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.

Before applying, please carefully consider the following points. Our professionally trained dogs require:

• Minimum of one full year year of training together as a team
• Total commitment and willingness to work with your dog daily
• The ability to place practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Stopping whatever you are doing to work with your dog when he/she is confused or does not work properly
• Being patient and positive with your dog
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Taking sole responsibility for the care of the dog so that the dog will bond with you
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with you
• A fenced area attached to the home
• Professionals or volunteers working with people with vulnerable populations and people with disabilities for a minimum of 20 hours/week
• Obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer

Hearing Dogs

Autism Assistance Dogs

Facility Dogs

Career Change Dogs

About Career Change Dogs

Join the Waitlist

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Hearing Dogs

Autism Assistance Dogs

Facility Dogs

Hearing Dog Program Requirements

About Our Dogs

Home Environment

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

Before applying, please carefully consider the following points.

Autism Assistance Dog Program Requirements

Home Environment

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

Facility Dog Program Requirements

About Our Dogs

Home Environment

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills