AAAD's   

    Answers  to Frequently Asked Questions              

How long is your Application Process?

Approximately 1 month please visit our Application Process Page



What is the different between your Assistance Dogs to your Dogs with Jobs?

Our Assistance Dogs complete a 2 year certification program that incorporates a high level of obedience in real life situations allowing them Full Public Access plus their Assistance Dog skills and tasks are refined to work both at home and about in high levels of distraction and at times stressful stituations. Our Dogs with Jobs we only focus on training task and skills to assist the person at home.



What types of dogs do you use?

We are open to different breeds of dogs as long as they meet our requirements, no restricted breeds and most importantly perfect for the job.



What training methods do you use?

Our trainers use positive reinforcement methods that are specific to our training guidelines. We focus on rewarding good behaviour while teaching our dogs that bad behaviour is not acceptable. Our Assistance Dogs go throught extensive training which consist of obedience, socialisation, scent work, alerting, deep pessure therapy etc. Our dog skills vary to meet the individual need sof the person.



Do you train Autism Assistance Dogs?

Yes! Our Autism Assistance Dogs help in various ways like interrupting repetitive behaviour,they are able to help breakdown communication barriers,insecurity barriers,or interaction barriers. Most importantly these dogs give the child a best friend ,peace of mind, increase independence, confidence not only for the child but for th whole family.



Do you train Diabetic Alert Dogs?

Yes, our Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to work 24/7 to give advance warnings of both Low and High blood sugar fluculations before becoming dangerous to allow time for the person to treat the condition, to retiurn their blood sugars back to normal. Our dogs are also trained to bring a tester, sweet drink. glucose lollies etc, as well as medication. They also alert a third party or press an alarm or SOS system button.



Do you train Epilepsy, Seizure Alert / Assist Dogs?

Yes, we train our Seizure Dogs to assist during and after seizure care, alert a third party press an alarm or SOS system button Alerting we train our dogs with seizure scent Although what the individual dog alerts to is still a gray area as our dogs are also able to to pick up on other variables. Changes in heart rate, body temperature, low blood sugar levels and adnornal minor body gestures.



Do you train Mobility Assist Dogs?

Yes, depending on the level of tasks and balance issues to be addressed plus whether you have support help to train.. As you have to remember that we train the person to ttheir own dog. Our dog's can assist in many ways picking items up balance, stability work, helping with washing shopping dressing etc. They can also help people off the floor or up from a seat.Plus bring items to the person by name or by hand signals.I.E. ,phone keys, tissues.



Do you train dog for PTSD?

Yes, although we have a number of PTSD dogs in our program. We do not at this stage offer any additional support networking for these teams. a few PTSD specific organisations do.etc. Our dogs once again are trained with the very person they are going to help.The dog learns to detects signals of stress anxiety or fear,On scentiing and sensing this their dog is trained to perform tasks to allievate or counteract triggers and their symptoms. Physical task include blocking the handler for a sense of security/safety, checking rooms searching premises, turn lights on. Guarding while asleep, deep pressure theraphy for comfort and night terrors..



Do you cross train dogs for duel or multi purpse assistance?

Yes, Many of our dogs multi tyask working with more than one physical condition or both physical and emtional.ones. As long as time is given for the dog to learn, tasks and skills, without overloading. The dog usually thrives and love their work.



Do you train Owner Dogs?

There are several factors,we need to consider before accepting any dog into our program. Evauluations first before we can make any assumptions including but no limited to right tempermament, trainablity / food or prey motivated, breed / size approimate for job, also age plays a big factor. Plus level of obedience and socialisation. Please contact us for further information.



Do you offer Financial Assistance?

Currently AAAD doesn't offer financial a ssistance due to the fact thattwe keep our cost as low as possible . Barely covering costs. Although we will offer fundraising support or help with NDIS Funding.



Do you offer payment plans?

We offer different payment plans depending on each clients situation.



Geographically Where do you place dogs?

For our Dogs With Jobs. There are no boundries. As it is basically a on line program. Our Assistance Dog Program is usually within in the Esstern States of Australia including Tasmania. Due fo the cost of personalised evaluations and Public Access Testing although we do have dogs in other states these are a more expenses to maintain as in a lot the client has to be willing to pay air fares or a certified trainer from that stae to do assessments on AAAD's behalf.



Dp you have after placement care?

AAAD trains and maintains your puppy / dog as long as you are a member of our organisation. Most teams find that their needs or requiremts continue to change over time.



Are there any hidden costs?

No AAAD has no hidden costs everything is outlined to you before commencing our program. Although you must remember that owning a dog is ecpensive, Your dogs care and welfare is expensive,Your dogs equipments especially while growing is expensive. Also we encourage our owners to source extra dog training and challenges wherever possible as we find it builds on their relationship as a team. This can cost little or be quite expensive.



What About Assistance Dog Ethics?

AAAD believes that it is ethical to use Assistanance Dog; we understand that they don't get a choice of vocation and that someone as to adocate for them. AAAD is that someone. All puppies / dogs entering our program are chosen for their attributes to do the job needed. They are continually monitored for signs of stress ,anxiety and appriopriate work load. All assistance dogs need to be a dog to run and play to roll and scratch. To have time out. Our Teams do achieve this balance and are rewarded by their dogs performance in doing their work.