Given that no two dogs are totally alike, each dog's path from puppy to service dog entirely unique to him or her. With that in mind, we do our utmost to keep our dogs on a general timeline to ensure their speedy transformation from cute, adorable and sometimes clumsy puppies to focused, highly-skilled and mature service animals.
8 weeks:
A puppy is acquired from a vetted and knowledgeable breeder with a track record of excellence. The puppy is transferred to the care of his or her designated foster Puppy Raiser family, who conduct the day-to-day training, feeding, socializing, exercising and playtime the puppy requires!
2–6 months:
While the Puppy Raiser family provides daily sessions of affection, training and support for the Assistance Dog in Training (ADIT), VMF staff members make regularly-scheduled inspections to ensure that the animal is being cared for responsibly and to monitor the progress of the ADIT's and Puppy Raiser family's basic dog obedience training.
6–12 months:
The Puppy Raiser family begins to increase the skill level of the basic dog obedience training regimens to take the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen© examination and to prepare for the Delta Society Pet Partners© evaluation at one year of age for the puppy.
12–15 months:
Upon successful completion of CGC, the ADIT is considered a VMF Comfort Dog and will be evaluated for animal-assisted activities or therapy via the Delta Society. Additionally, one or several third-party, professional dog trainers assess, evaluate and identify the adolescent dog for specific and additional behavioral training.
15–18 months:
A fully-vetted, qualified and approved VMF Comfort Dog is ready for advanced training for therapy or facility work and screening for potential placement amongst the veteran applicants requesting a service dog from VMF. Upon finding a match, the ADIT and paired applicant are sent (courtesy of VMF) to complete advanced training at one of many different cutting-edge facilities devoted to preparing service dog teams to face the specific challenges and scenarios of day-to-day life.
18+ months:
The mission of the VMF organization is achieved—a veteran moves forward in his or her life, thanks to the unconditional love and fidelity of a fully-trained and certified assistance/service dog.
