Arkansas Service Paws

Veterans, First Responders and thier Qualifying Dependants with a diagnosis of PTSD.

There is no charge for qualifying clients.

Yes, if the dog is between 10 months old and 2 years old, passes our temperament tests, and you are approved to become an owner-trainer.

Many of today’s warriors and First responders have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and often physical injuries as well. A Arkansas Service Paws Dog can be trained to assist you and respond to your individual needs in unique ways such as: Create a strong peaceful barrier between the client and perceived threats. Provide comfort and calming influence during times of stress. Provide balance and support or assist you in sitting or standing. Alert you to important sounds such as the doorbell, phone, your name being called, or your child crying. Retrieve items, open and close doors and cabinets, operate light switches and automatic door openers. Seek help for you in emergencies. If you become disoriented in a crowded room, the dog can be trained to lead you to an exit. If you have nightmares, the dog can be trained to wake you, or to turn on the lights or music in the room. Some dogs eventually learn to recognize early signs of anxiety in their partners and can be trained to give an alert and thereby re-focus their partners, who can then use strategies they have been taught to cope with the situation.

Service dog candidates need to be easily trainable and non-threatening in behavior and appearance to the public.

Dogs between the ages of 10 months to 2 years old.

An Arkansas Service Paws Dog thrives and gives his or her all when a strong bond develops between the dog and his human partner. To earn the dog’s loyalty and respect, and to foster a healthy relationship, the client and the dog will need to work, play, and spend many hours training together. If you choose to get a service dog, you must make the dog a major priority in your life. If you haven’t yet stabilized your injury, or if you are still in treatment that demands most of your time and energy, or if your work situation or home environment are in flux, this might not be the right time to consider applying for a ARSP service dog. However, if you think that you are ready to make the commitment, you have the full support of everyone in your household and that of your caregivers, you are motivated to do the training, and you are excited about the prospect of gaining a devoted companion who can help you achieve greater independence and dramatically improve the quality of your life, you could be a candidate for our program.

There is no charge for a ARSP dog or training. After graduating from the ARSP program, transfer of ownership will be completed at graduation.

Exercise. All dogs need physical exercise and mental stimulation for their health, but these requirements are especially important for a highly intelligent, working dog. If partnered with an Arkansas Service Paws Dog, you will need to provide, at the minimum, a one-hour brisk walk, 20-30 minutes of vigorous play, and 20-30 minutes of training for the dog each day. If you are physically incapable of exercising the dog, you will need to make arrangements for someone else to do so. Letting the dog out in a yard does not constitute adequate exercise. Supervision. Arkansas Service Paws requires their clients to keep the dog leashed or supervised within a safely enclosed area at all times when outside. We do not permit electronic fencing and do not condone the use of dog parks for socialization or exercise. Grooming. Keeping the dog well groomed is another requirement of partnership with a ARSP Service Dog. If you cannot bathe and groom the dog yourself, you will need to determine where you will take it to be groomed and also consider the expense of such services. Public consideration is important here. Veterinary care. Regular veterinary care is also essential. You will be expected to adhere to our recommended checkup and vaccination schedule to maintain your dog’s health. You will also be required to keep your dog current on monthly parasite prevention medications. Food and equipment. A good quality food will be essential in maintaining a healthy weight for the dog (we will provide recommendations).  Your ARSP Service Dog will be sent home with essential equipment such as a crate, collar and leash, vest and training equipment.  Over time this equipment may need to be replaced and that would be your responsibility after certification. If you are training your personal dog, ARSP will supply the equipment your trainer recommends. Annual cost. In all, you can expect to spend an average of $1,000 – $1,500 per year over a typical 10 to 12-year lifespan not including veterinary care. Family Commitment. It is also important to consider the commitment other family members will have to make to your ARSP Service Dogs partnership. They may need to assist you in caring for your dog at times. They will always need to be supportive of your relationship with the dog, agree not to interfere with the dog’s training or the work it performs for you, adhere to rules and expectations regarding the dog’s behavior, and respect the bond between you and your Arkansas Service Paws Service Dog.

For dogs owned by Arkansas Service Paws: When you and the dog have successfully met our training requirements, have been certified by Arkansas Service Paws and have graduated from our program, the dog is the property of ARSP. When you and your ARSP service dog have passed your Public Access Test and met all other requirements the ARSP Service Dog will go home to live with you. At that point, you will be responsible for all of the usual costs associated with owning a dog. For clients who own their dog while in the Arkansas Service paws training program: You retain ownership and all liability for your dog.

ARSP is committed to the success of its service dog partnerships. We provide support to each client-dog team for the life of the partnership, at no cost to you, through: Follow-up training Advice or consultations with trainers Annual recertification Other support services where necessary

To meet ADI standards, annual re-certification is required to keep your certified service dog status, to keep your Arkansas Service Paws vest and identification cards, and to have access to the support services provided by Arkansas Service Paws. You must submit an Annual Report and your latest medical/veterinary/vaccination records and be available to retake and pass the certification examination annually. Even though the vest and ID tags or cards are not required by law, they give your dog a polished appearance when in public and ease the public access difficulties typically faced by people partnered with a service dog.

Yes, Arkansas Service Paws is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Our TAX EIN number is 88-3824489.

Our specialty is helping clients with PTSD and/or Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Military Sexual Trauma; we additionally train to help with mobility assist and seizures whenever possible. As a potential candidate, you should: Be a veteran or first responder. Be able to provide your own transportation to and from training sessions. Be able to meet the physical, mental, and emotional needs of a dog, or have an adequate support system in place. Be willing and able to commit to the training program. Agree to adhere to the Arkansas Service Paws rules and regulations concerning care and training of the dog. Have the full support of your family, including caregivers, in your quest to receive a service dog.

Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.

The dog must be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability. For example, a person with diabetes may have a dog that is trained to alert him when his blood sugar reaches high or low levels. A person with depression may have a dog that is trained to remind her to take her medication. Or, a person who has epilepsy may have a dog that is trained to detect the onset of a seizure and then help the person remain safe during the seizure.

No. These terms are used to describe animals that provide comfort just by being with a person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, some State or local governments have laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places. You may check with your State and local government agencies to find out about these laws.

It depends. The ADA makes a distinction between psychiatric service animals and emotional support animals. If the dog has been trained to sense that an anxiety attack is about to happen and take a specific action to help avoid the attack or lessen its impact, that would qualify as a service animal. However, if the dog’s mere presence provides comfort, that would not be considered a service animal under the ADA.

No. People with disabilities have the right to train the dog themselves and are not required to use a professional service dog training program.

No. Under the ADA, the dog must already be trained before it can be taken into public places. However, some State or local laws cover animals that are still in training. Arkansas provides the same rights to dogs in training.

In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.

No. The ADA does not require service animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness.

The handler is responsible for caring for and supervising the service animal, which includes toileting, feeding, and grooming and veterinary care. Covered entities are not obligated to supervise or otherwise care for a service animal.

Yes. Service animals must be allowed to accompany their handlers to and through self-service food lines. Similarly, service animals may not be prohibited from communal food preparation areas, such as are commonly found in shelters or dormitories.