Dogs for Better Lives places Assistance Dogs with qualified individuals who will benefit from the loyalty and companionship of a professionally trained dog. Applicants are screened carefully to ensure they will benefit from receiving one of our dogs and that they are willing and able to maintain the dog’s training and care for the dog after the dog is placed with them.
There is no application fee or deposit required. For information on our adoptable Career Change Dogs, click HERE.
Pre-Screening
If you are considering applying for one of our professionally trained dogs, please go over this page carefully, along with Application Requirements and Points to Consider, prior to taking the pre-screening questionnaire. You can access the questionnaire by clicking the Get Started button. If you are having difficulty with the pre-screening, please contact us at info@dogsforbetterlives.org or 541-826-9220.
Application
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be emailed a link to fill out the application. Be sure to answer all of the required questions and submit your application. As part of the application process, you will need a physician’s assessment to confirm the ability to handle a dog as well as verification of audiogram. [Due to the fact that there are many different aspects to hearing loss, there is no exact degree of loss that can be given as the minimum for qualification.]
In-Home Interview
In-home interviews provide us with additional information on the applicants’ needs and lifestyles. A Dogs for Better Lives associate, from the applicant’s area, conducts this interview. All members of the household must be present for this interview appointment.
Acceptance or Denial
After the interview is completed and returned to us, the entire application packet will be carefully reviewed and a final decision made as to whether or not one of our professionally trained dogs is suitable for the applicant.
Waiting Period
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 breed, size, hair length, or sex.
For a Hearing Dog, the waiting period is approximately 12 to 24 months from the time the person is accepted to receive a Hearing Dog.
Placement
Hearing Dogs, accompanied by a trainer, go to the home of the client. The trainer teaches the client how to keep the dog working consistently and how to maintain the dog’s obedience training in the client’s home.
Follow-Up
Following the placement, regular communication is required. The client reports regularly on the progress of the dog. When problems arise or the client has any questions, the trainer offers help and answers questions. In-home follow up is also done.
Dogs for Better Lives provides follow-up support for the life of the team.