770 Wooten Rd. STE 103 Colorado Springs, CO 80915 (719) 394 4046 www.victorysd.org Victory Service Dogs is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization: EIN: 47-4842139 Established 2015 Welcome to Victory Service Dogs!
WHAT WE STAND FOR We believe we are saving lives and providing second chances for the human and the dog. We stand apart from many other organizations because our clients are involved in every aspect of the program. By doing this we can provide veterans with an affordable and therapeutic means to get the service dog they need: We offer continued support and resources for dog food and supplies, veterinary care, and additional training if needed. We believe in an ongoing relationship with every person we bring into our family. WHAT WE DO Our training is a client-based training program where the client and their service dog are both involved in training 100% of the time. We offer continued support and resources for dog food and supplies, and additional training if needed. We believe in an ongoing relationship with every person we bring into our family. What s Our Mission Helping veterans achieve a full life of increased independence, purpose, and dignity through a partnership with a loving service companion. For those who struggle with the effects of PTSD and other physical or psychological challenges, achieving that desired quality of life can be difficult and frustrating. Victory Service Dogs believes our U.S. service members and veterans deserve to live lives of independence and dignity.
Research has consistently proven that the bond between humans and canines is very powerful. Service dogs can greatly improve the quality of everyday life for individuals with disabilities. They enable veterans and active duty service members to cope with symptoms of PTSD, gain improved mobility, and provide a sense of well-being. What is a Service Dog? Service Dogs help with performing a function for a person that is limited by a disability. This could be mobility issues, visual impairment, seizures, diabetes, PTSD, TBI, autism, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and other physical/mental issues The Americans with Disabilities Act essentially requires three things for a dog to be a service dog. First, the person helped must have a life-limiting disability. Second, the dog must be trained to recognize and respond to the handler s disability by doing either work or tasks. Third, the dog must not cause a disruption in public, otherwise the dog can be legally excluded. Service dogs must be both housebroken and leashed (except when the dog needs to be off-leash to provide disability-related work or tasks). In July of 2015, the Department of Justice released an excellent nine-page FAQ document about service animals and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). PSDP recommends you investigate this document if you have specific questions that aren t answered here. We believe this printable (pdf) resource is consistent with the information PSDP provides, reflecting case law developments in recent years, and is available both on our site and directly on the ADA site: DOJ Service Animal FAQ July 2015 Revised http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.pdf
Training Programs and Courses Victory Service Dogs stands apart from many other service dog organizations because we operate an client-trained program and we strive to adopt shelter and rescue dogs when possible. Program Overview All programs and courses offered by Victory Service Dogs are taught by highly trained and experienced trainers that excel not only in training dogs, but in training dogs to become service dogs. Our programs are designed to establish a bond between a handler and a dog, and to train the team to accomplish specific tasks to support the handler. Victory Service Dogs works with prospective handlers to match them with the right dog. Our programs start with team evaluations to determine if a handler and a dog are a good match for one another and if they possess the aptitude for service dog training. The teams will then go through the training together. Once trained, our handlers and their dogs are tested and certified as service dog teams. They have documentation that outlines the training completed and the tasks the dogs are trained to accomplish. In some circumstances the handler is physically unable to work with the dog in the beginning, specifically during the basic obedience training. In these cases, our trainers will train the dogs first then we will match a trained dog with the handler. Our programs do not end with graduation. Our certified service dog teams often help train new handlers and dogs. We also offer follow-up support to each of our service dog teams to ensure they remain the highly trained teams they need to be to serve their handlers. Our service dog teams are evaluated and recertified every two to three years.
Training Intent Our programs do not teach a specific set of commands, rather our courses train behaviors with a variety of commands that best fit the handler and the dog. Our programs are tailored to the specific needs of the handler by our experienced trainers. We offer a variety of courses and programs tailored to fit the specific needs of the handler while treating the dogs with the utmost respect and love. Our programs utilize positive and negative reinforcement, but never use punishment, torture, or abuse. All our programs start with training the handler to understand how to live and work with a service dog. Training is conducted in accordance with established industry standards and it stresses the health and welfare of the dogs as well as that of the handlers. The duration of each training course can differ from team to team. Some teams will advance more quickly than others. The time required to complete a course is based on the team, not the calendar. The duration of each course in this document is based on training 5-6 times a week. The duration for each course will be significantly longer if the teams train less frequently. In addition to behavior training, each course may include socialization training, prevention training, house training, and games. Requirements to Graduate Service Dogs- In our program, in order to graduate as a service dog, the dog must be able to complete Public Access Test (VSD 801) and all prerequisites: which are Basic Obedience Training (VSD 201) Advanced Training (VSD 401), Advanced Canine Good Citizen (VSD 501), Urban Canine Good Citizen (VSD 601), Task Training (VSD 701). If you believe your service dog in-training is trained enough to move forward into a more advanced training course, we can conduct a test-out exam. We would have one of our certified Trainers (can be contracted) evaluate your dog, and determine if the dog is trained enough to move on to a more advanced course.
Puppy Training/ AKC Star Puppy Puppy training is the first step to training any new recruit in our program under one year old. There is one version of Puppy Training: VSD-101: Training Audience. Puppies between two months and one year old with no previous training and their handlers. The puppies in this course are generally placed with the handler by Victory Service Dogs. Each of these courses can meet the prerequisites for advancement in the program. It is not required to complete more than one basic obedience course. Course: Puppy Training/ AKC Star Puppy (VSD-101) Purpose of this Course. The purpose of this course is to provide initial puppy training and achieve AKC Star Puppy Certification Behaviors Taught. Behaviors taught during this course include Potty training using positive reinforcement with treats when the act is done outside. If accidents occur and when caught in the act, puppy will only be verbally corrected and placed outside to finish their business. The puppy can also be trained to ring a bell to alert when they need to potty in order to give more consistency for a puppy transitioning into their home. Kennel training will be accomplished through building a positive relationship with the kennel from the beginning. In an effort to always keep the safety of the puppy top priority, the puppy will be kenneled when the trainer is not present in the house and at bedtime. Obedience training will be achieved through structured sessions using positive reinforcement methods to bring out the best in the puppy Socialization is a crucial part of a puppy s life and ensures a confident and friendly dog in the future. Training and socialization will occur in public, dog friendly stores, community events and in supervised play sessions with other puppies. Duration. 8 weeks (based on 5-6 days of training per week) Prerequisites The dog must be under 1 year of age.
Basic Obedience Training Basic training is the initial step for every dog or puppy (that has completed AKC puppy training) in our program. There is one version of Basic Training: VSD-201: Training Audience. Dogs that are either older than 12 months of age or do not need to take puppy training courses. Unexperienced dogs and new recruits would work well in this course. Each of these courses can meet the prerequisites for advancement in the program. It is not required to complete more than one basic obedience course. Course: Basic Obedience Training (VSD 201) Purpose of this Course. The purpose of this course is to provide initial basic obedience training. Behaviors Taught. Behaviors taught during this course include getting dressed waiting remaining calm being quiet going outside leaving something alone name recognition getting into a vehicle or on an object watching the handler getting out of a vehicle or off an sitting down object. staying in one position until released Duration. 8-10 weeks (based on 5-6 days of training per week) Prerequisites. None.
AKC CGC Training/ Testing Canine Good Citizen I is the third step to training any dog in our program. Our trainers will determine when the dog is obedient and trained enough to move forward on to a higher-level course. There is one version of AKC CGC Training: VSD-301: Training Audience. Dogs that are either older than 12 months of age or do not need to take puppy training courses. experienced dogs and dogs that completed basic obedience training would work well in this course. Course: AKC Canine Good Citizen/Testing (VSD-301) Purpose of this Course. The purpose of this course is to build on the skills learned during obedience training and prepare the handler / dog team to pass the Canine Good Citizen evaluation. Behaviors Taught. Behaviors taught during this course include accepting a friendly stranger staying in place sitting politely for petting coming when called appearance and grooming reacting to other dogs walking on a loose lead reacting to distractions walking through a crowd supervised separation. sitting on command Evaluation. The handler and the dog must pass the ten-part Canine Good Citizen evaluation to graduate from this course. Upon successful completion of this course, the handler and the dog will move forward to the next course. Service dog teams are registered and documented as such by Victory Service Dogs. Duration. 2-4 weeks (based on 5-6 days of training per week) Prerequisites. VSD-201
Advanced Training/Obstacles Advanced training is the fourth step for every dog in our program. Our trainers will determine when the dog is obedient and trained enough to move forward on to a higher-level course. There is one version of Advanced Training: VSD-401: Training Audience. Dogs that are either older than 12 months of age or do not need to take puppy training courses. AKC CGC certified dogs would work well in this course. Course: Advanced Training/Obstacles (VSD-401) Purpose of this Course. The purpose of this course is to provide more advanced obedience training. Behaviors Taught. Behaviors taught during this course include moving out of the handler s way following a laser pointer to an going to a specific place object targeting objects going ahead of the handler minding manners walking backwards coming when called laying head in lap untangling a leash from front moving into a standing position legs and waiting heeling picking up an object quickening the pace releasing an object slowing the pace holding an object moving closer to the handler dropping an object in a container moving under a desk or table pulling on an item with mouth turning around and standing in front of the handler Duration. 8-10 weeks (based on 5-6 days of training per week) Prerequisites. VSD-301.
AKC CGCA (Community) Training/Testing Canine Good citizen Advanced (AKC Community Canine) is the fifth step to training any dog in our program. Our trainers will determine when the dog is obedient and trained enough to move forward on to a higher-level course. There is one version of AKC CGCA Training: VSD-501: Training Audience. Dogs that have completed AKC CGC tests and are in training to be a service or therapy dog. Dogs that completed Advanced Training and CGC evaluations would work well in this course. Course: AKC CGCA (Community) Training/Testing (VSD-501) Purpose of this Course. The purpose of this course is to build on the skills learned during Advanced training and prepare the handler / dog team to pass the Canine Good Citizen Advanced (AKC Community Canine) evaluation. Behaviors Taught. While Canine Good Citizen tests are simulations of real-world skills, (e.g., dog/handler walks through a crowd of evaluators in a ring), the goal of AKC Community Canine is to test the dog s skills in a natural setting. Evaluation. As with CGC, AKC Community Canine has a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Community Canine title. This is a title that appears on the dog s title record at AKC. All skills on the test are tested on leash. The AKC Community Canine (CGCA) test may be done in a class, at shows, in pet stores or in the community. When the test is administered in community settings such as at a business or special event, evaluators must have the necessary approval of the business owners. Upon successful completion of this course, the handler and the dog will move forward to the next course. Service dog teams are registered and documented as such by Victory Service Dogs. Duration. 8-10 weeks (based on 5-6 days of training per week) Prerequisites. VSD-401
AKC CGCU (Urban) Training/Testing AKC Canine Good Citizen Urban is the sixth step to training any dog in our program. Our trainers will determine when the dog is obedient and trained enough to move forward on to a higher-level course. There is one version of AKC CGCU Training: VSD-601: Training Audience. Dogs that have completed AKC CGCA (Community Canine) tests and are in training to be a service or therapy dog. Dogs that completed AKC CGC and AKC CGCA (Community Canine) evaluations would work well in this course. Course: AKC CGCU (Urban) Training/Testing (VSD-601) Purpose of this Course. The purpose of this course is to build on the skills learned during AKC CGCA (Community Canine) training and prepare the handler / dog team to pass the Canine Good Citizen Urban evaluation. Behaviors Taught. AKC Urban CGC requires that the dog demonstrate CGC skills and beyond in a setting that includes traffic, crowds, noises, smells and other distractions that are present in a city or town. Evaluation. As with Canine Good Citizen, AKC Urban CGC is a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Urban CGC title. This is a title that appears on the dog s title record at AKC. AKC Urban CGC is a public access test that demonstrates dogs are well-behaved and well-trained when in public settings. The Urban CGC test can be used by dog- friendly business (e.g., lodging, retail, transportation, public facilities) to recognize and accept dogs with good manners. All skills are tested on leash. AKC Urban CGC should be administered in a place where there are cars, streets to be crossed, noises, and distractions. This test is administered in the real world; it should not be simulated in a ring at a dog show. Upon successful completion of this course, the handler and the dog will move forward to the next course. Service dog teams are registered and documented as such by Victory Service Dogs. Duration. 8-10 weeks (based on 5-6 days of training per week) Prerequisites. VSD-501
Service Dog Task Training Service Dog Task Training is the seventh step to training any dog in our program. Our trainers will determine when the dog is obedient and trained enough to move forward on to a higher-level course. There is one version of Service Dog Task Training: VSD-701: Training Audience. Dogs that have completed AKC CGCU (Community Canine) tests and are in training to be a service or therapy dog. Dogs that completed AKC CGCU and AKC CGCA (Community Canine) evaluations would work well in this course. Course: Service Dog Task Training (VSD-701) Purpose of this Course. The purpose of this course is to train service dogs to accomplish specific tasks to support their handlers. Behaviors Taught. Behaviors taught during this course will vary based on the needs of the handler. Generally, each level of task training will involve no more than 5 specific tasks or behaviors. Evaluation. The service dog team must demonstrate a mastery of all task training to complete the course. Service dog teams are registered and documented as such by Victory Service Dogs, including the list of specific tasks the team is trained to accomplish. The dog in training must provide 2 tasks to the handler as a minimum requirement in order to be a service dog. Duration. 8-10 weeks (based on 5-6 days of training per week) Prerequisites. VSD-601 and VSD-501
ADI Public Access Testing ADI Public Access Test is the final step to training any dog in our program. Our trainers will determine when the dog is obedient and trained enough test out of our program and graduate as a service dog. There is one version of ADI PAT: VSD-801: Testing Audience. Dogs that have completed AKC CGC, AKC CGCA (Community Canine) tests and AKC CGCU. Course: ADI Public Access Testing (VSD-801) Purpose of this Course. The purpose of this course conduct one final test following ADI and ADA standards under the ADI Public Access Test. Once complete the dog will then have all the certification and validation to graduate from our program as a service dog. Behaviors Taught. a dog must acquire proper social behavior skills. It includes at a minimum: No aggressive behavior toward people or other animals - no biting, snapping, snarling, growling or lunging and barking at them when working off your property. No soliciting food or petting from other people while on duty. No sniffing merchandise or people or intruding into another dog s space while on duty. Socialize to tolerate strange sights, sounds, odors etc. in a wide variety of public settings. Ignores food on the floor or dropped in the dog s vicinity while working outside the home. Works calmly on leash. No unruly behavior or unnecessary vocalizations in public settings. No urinating or defecating in public unless given a specific command or signal to toilet in an appropriate place. Evaluation. This test creates a level playing field, since it does not matter whether it is a guide, hearing or service dog team being tested or who trained the dog. What matters is the team s performance. Every ADI program is required to administer this test before graduating and credentialing a team. Upon successful completion of this course, the handler and the dog will move forward to the next course. Service dog teams are registered and documented as such by Victory Service Dogs. Duration. 2-4 weeks (based on 5-6 days of training per week) Prerequisites. VSD-701