A service dog is a dog that is individually trained to work or perform a task to mitigate their handler’s disability. A service dog is protected under the ADA law.

A service dog is a dog that is specifically trained to perform a task to mitigate their handler’s disability. An emotional support animal provides comfort to their disabled person but does not perform any specific task or duty. ESAs do not have public access rights the way service dogs do, though they’re permitted to live in certain kinds of no-pet housing.

Service dogs are a wonderful treatment option, but they should not be the first option in mitigating the impact of a disability. We encourage all clients to work with their treatment team to explore all of their options prior to pursing a service dog. Many individuals are able to find alternatives to help with their disability that are not as time consuming or as costly as a service dog. Once you know that a service dog is the best option for you, then we encourage you to start your journey!

Service dogs are trained through specialized programs that use positive reinforcement techniques to teach the dog specific tasks or skills that will assist their handler.

It depends on what route you take with our training program and on the tasks that need to train. For example, if you join our program with an 8 week old puppy, training would likely be ongoing until they are about 2 years old. Regardless, if your dog completes our program, they are getting all their foundations and will be well on their way within your first 6 months. Our program is very tailored to the individual team, so we can accommodate differences in your dog’s age, maturity, and starting skills very well. Get in touch and we can get started!

CSD primarily works with Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Smooth/Rough Collies, Toy Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Pomeranians.

Your trainer will work with you in identifying which dog breed will best suit your needs. If a client or close family member has allergies, we can often accommodate! Poodles are a solid option for allergy sufferers.

If a client has worked with a specific breed in the past and would like to work the same breed, your trainer can take that into consideration when making their recommendation.

We can train directly with people ages 16 years and older with parental consent. If you would like to work with us on behalf of your child who is 13 to 15, please contact us for the additional policies that will apply. Because of liability issues, we cannot work with individuals under the age of 13.

Our trainers are near Baltimore, Maryland, District of Columbia and Howell, Michigan. All in-person lessons take place in public locations within 25 miles of your designated trainer. If you would prefer to meet your trainer outside of that radius, there will be an additional fee.

Yes, it’s possible to train your own service dog! However, it requires a significant quantity of time, effort, and resources. It is always recommended that you work with a reputable service dog training organization or professional trainer to ensure that your dog can help you as much as possible, and to make sure they meet important standards.

Maybe! Not all dogs are cut out to be service dogs. When applying to our program, we evaluate your needs as the handler, as well as your dog and their temperament. We cannot guarantee any dog will fully succeed until the point of graduation. However, after we evaluate or match you with your dog, we will have a much better idea of what kinds of training we need to complete in order to getting you and your dog closer to the end goal. If your dog isn’t a good match, we can still help match you with a different dog who better suits the work.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs and service dogs in training are allowed to accompany their handlers in any public place, including restaurants, stores, and hotels. However, there are some exceptions, such as areas where the dog may pose a safety risk or where the dog’s presence would fundamentally alter the nature of the business.

No, business owners are not allowed to ask about the nature of a person’s disability or require proof of disability. They are allowed to ask only 2 questions: 1) If the dog is a service animal and 2) what specific tasks the dog is trained to perform.

Usually, no. Under the Fair Housing Act, most landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities, which can include allowing a service dog in the rental unit.

There are many factors that go into how much you’ll spend on your dog. Below is a non-exhaustive list of categories of items that you should anticipate spending money on. Please reach out to train@coastalservicedogs.com if you would like more specifics for budgeting for your dog.

• Food, treats, and dietary supplements
• Car kennel*
• Gear (collars, leashes, harness, boots, jackets, etc.)
• Home gear* (crate, blankets, fans, cooling mats, elevated beds, etc.)
• Hygiene (grooming, brushes, poop bags, shampoo, conditioners, sprays, nail trimmers, wipes, diapers if an intact female, etc.)
• Transportation (if you are taking in person lessons, take into account gas costs to get to your lessons)
• Veterinarian expenses, and we highly recommend all owners get pet insurance
• Your time!

*generally a one time cost

For all discussions regarding a service dog and/or its training program, the service dog handler* is required to be present. If the handler is a minor, a parent or guardian must also attend. CSD will exclusively engage with the handler of the dog and will not communicate with friends, family members, or other individuals unless the handler is present. The handler may utilize a caretaker, interpreter, or other assistance method for communication, provided that the communication originates from the handler. If the handler of the dog is a different individual from the recipient**, only the handler needs to be present, although both individuals are encouraged to participate in all discussions.

*Handler: the individual responsible for the care, training, and management of the animal. Unless otherwise stated, the handler of the animal is also the recipient of the animal. 

**Recipient: the individual who benefits from the animal performing tasks that mitigate the impact(s) of their disability/disabilities.

Prior to signing a program agreement, all prospective CSD clients are required to submit documentation from an established medical provider that certifies the diagnosis* that the prospective client detailed in their intake form and throughout their conversations with CSD staff. If the prospective client has one or more specific diagnoses, it is required that the documentation reflects those all of the diagnoses. 

All documentation should be emailed to train@coastalservicedogs.com. Any health information provided to CSD will not be shared outside of the organization. 

To be eligible to participate in a CSD program, an individual must have the capability to care for themselves and the prospective animal with or without the use of accommodations.

If a prospective client has a disability where they have limited ability to care for themselves, but a) does not have a terminal illness and b) does not expect that the severity of their disability will change in the prospective animal’s lifespan, CSD may accept them into the program. For these individuals, documentation is required that shows that a support system is in place for the individual which will allow for all of the prospective animal’s needs to be met throughout its life. If you are unsure if you are eligible for a CSD program, please contact us at train@coastalservicedogs.com and we will be happy to assist you. 

*Diagnosis is used as a catchall term for any disability, symptom, or limitation a person is experiencing.

All in-person lessons will be located in a public location that is agreed upon prior to the lesson. Handlers will meet the trainer within 25 miles of the trainer’s home city. Please speak to your trainer to learn what their home city is. If a handler would like to meet their trainer outside of the 25 mile radius, an additional fee will apply for each lesson. This fee will be communicated to the handler and Responsible Party, if different from the handler, once a location is proposed. This fee does not apply to CSD-organized group outings, also referred to as field trips that may require additional travel by the trainer.

Raise & Trains are required to be a minimum of 4 weeks in length and a maximum 16 weeks in length. If a handler would like to enroll their dog in a secondary boarding program following the initial program, a minimum of 8 weeks must have passed since the dog went home to the handler.

Raise & Train Handlers are required to visit their dog at least once a month for an hour training session. At this session, the handler will have time to bond with the dog and work on handling skills. If a handler does not expect that they can meet this requirement, they must inform CSD as soon as possible.

CSD trainers has the final say as to whether or not any dog is eligible for a boarding program. CSD may turn down a boarding candidate for any reason.

Handlers must provide CSD with the dog’s food for the length of their boarding by either 1) by bringing the food with them at the dog’s drop off, 2) shipping the food directly to the trainer’s house or a local store where the trainer can pick it up, or 3) by having the trainer purchase food on behalf of their dog. If the handler chooses option 3, an invoice will be sent to the handler on a periodic basis for the cost of the food. One of these three options must be selected prior to the dog being dropped off with the trainer. Option 3 will be the default if the Client does not communicate otherwise with the trainer.

Handlers enrolled in a 12 week program or 24 week program are eligible to attempt the following AKC sanctioned tests: CGC, CGCA, and the CGCU, up to three times per test for no additional cost. In addition, at the conclusion of the handler’s respective program(s), handlers are also eligible to attempt the Public Access Test (PAT) up to three times for no additional cost to the handler. Passing the PAT will allow the handler to formally graduate from our program and receive a certificate indicating as such. The above tests can be completed while the handler is actively taking lessons or after the lessons have concluded. To take any of the tests listed above, the handler’s animal must be deemed ready to take the test by their trainer and meet any additional prerequisites (see below) prior to attempting the test. All tests are required to be completed in-person. 

If a handler is unable to be physically present to take a CGC test, CGCA test, or CGCU test with a CSD trainer, CSD will coordinate and pay for the handler to take the test in a registered testing location local to the handler once per test type. All handlers must travel to a CSD trainer to take the PAT. CSD will not reimburse travel expenses related to the administration of the PAT. 

If a handler is enrolled in a program that is 11 weeks in length or less, the handler must pay $20 to take the CGC test, CGCA test, or CGCU test with a CSD trainer. 

Handlers who have completed 10 or 11 lessons with a CSD trainer, but are not enrolled in a 12 or 24 week program must pay $200 to attempt the PAT with a CSD trainer. For these handlers, the handler must contact their trainer stating that they would like to attempt the test, receive permission from the trainer to attempt the test, coordinate a testing location that is local to the CSD trainer, and confirm that all other prerequisites are met (see below). 

Prerequisites: 

-CGC: Trainer approval must be obtained.

-CGCA: Trainer approval must be obtained & completion of the CGC.

-CGCU: Trainer approval must be obtained & completion of the CGC.

-PAT: Trainer approval must be obtained, completion of the CGC, CGCA, and CGCU & dog is at least 15 months old on the date of taking the test.