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KSDT is accepting applications for mobility assistance service dogs and psychiatric service dogs as a foundational program! After the initial launch of the program and working through the first wave of enrollment we will begin discussions about the possibility of expanding into medical alert service dogs as well.
We encourage you to apply and get onto our waitlist so we can begin filling slots for future programs and contact you when our medical alert program will begin!
Does my life-style allow for me/my caregiver to care for a dog?
Will the service dog benefit me?
Will I stay up to date with current laws and regulations pertaining to service dogs?
Will I be able to stay consistent with training even after the program ends?
Will handling a service dog in public be too triggering or overwhelming for me? (As a service dog handler you will attract a lot of attention and may face access issues)
A service animal and an emotional support animal (ESA) serve different purposes and have different legal protections. Here are some common differences:
Tori Freymuth
Tori began her career as an intern for two non-profit training psychiatric and mobility service dog organizations for disabled veterans. She trained and supported handlers, selected prospects, and pursued a Bachelor's a degree in Canine Training from SUNY Cobleskill.
Upon completion of her internships, she began training for KSDT and has been thrilled to work with their awesome clientele including several service dogs in training! In addition to training service dogs for others, Tori herself is a service dog owner/handler having trained her past and current dogs in medical alert and response.
Noah Riegelhaupt
Noah obtained his bachelor's degree in Canine Training and Management from SUNY Cobleskill, where he took a special interest in service dog work! Since he fell in love with service dog training he did his internship at a service dog organization in New Mexico which trained psychiatric, mobility, and medical alert dogs.
Through his time and experience with training service dogs Noah has been overjoyed to watch the successes of service dog teams and looks forward to continuing to help the community!
A service dog is defined as a dog specifically trained to mitigate a person’s disability through tasks or alerts that are directly related to the disability. A service dog is allowed to go anywhere the handler/general public is allowed to go with the exception of places like sterile environments (burn units or surgical rooms) and open air exhibits of zoos.
Service dogs undergo significant obedience and task training on how to assist their handlers and achieve the minimum standard for public access behavior/manners which ensure the safety of the service dog team and general public! Generally service dogs can be grouped into guide dogs, mobility assistance service dogs, psychiatric service dogs, and medical alert service dogs.
Most people with diagnosed disabilities can benefit from a service dog! Each individual’s disability affects their lives differently so speaking with a trainer well versed in training service dogs is a safe and effective way to decide if a service dog might be a good fit for you.
Generally programs require applicants to be capable of handling and caring for their own service dog, however exceptions can usually be made for a disabled person with a consistent caregiver that can handle and care for the dog at home and in public.
A task is a taught physical behavior that helps the handler navigate their disability is during or after a symptom of the disability is already present, where an alert is where the dog is taught to “tell” their owner before a medical episode takes place.
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