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IS A SERVICE DOG RIGHT FOR YOU?

Thanks for Your Interest in a Brigadoon Dog

Brigadoon Service Dogs is proud to provide service dogs to children, adults, and veterans with physical, developmental, and behavioral health disabilities. 

 

Brigadoon has several basic prerequisites for individuals who may be interested in one of our programs. Please review these questions, which are designed to help you determine whether or not to apply.

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**Please understand that because we have a very small staff, we are not able to respond to individual eligibility inquiries outside of this process by email, mail, or phone.

Is a Service Dog Right for You?

  1. Can you demonstrate that you would benefit from the tasks Brigadoon service or facility dogs are trained to perform?

  2. Do you have the means and resources to manage and care for a dog? This includes feeding, grooming, exercising the dog and regular visits to a veterinarian.

  3. Are those who live with you willing to support your relationship with a service or facility dog and comply with basic guidelines established by Brigadoon?

  4. Once receiving the dog, are you willing to meet with Brigadoon staff in person in Bellingham, WA at least once a year for the entire working life of the dog?

  5. Bringing a Brigadoon service or facility dog into your life is a major lifestyle change and commitment. Do you believe you are ready for this change and commitment?

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The Application Process

Our application process comprises these four steps:

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  1. Eligibility screening questionnaire

  2. Full application (including non-refundable deposit and submission of relevant medical records)

  3. Interview (two-way face to face communication online or in-person)

  4. Home visit & needs assessment (in-person)

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Please note that the average processing time is 2 – 4 months.

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Life on the Waitlist

Approved applicants are placed in a client waitlist “pool,” waiting to be matched with the dog that best fits their needs and lifestyle. On average, clients spend 1 to 2 years in the waitlist pool after their application has been approved.

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​Clients from this pool are invited to come to our campus for “meet & greet” visits with one or more dogs that have been identified as promising service dog candidates to meet the clients’ needs.

Team Training

Once a client has made a preliminary match with their future service dog, we invite them to attend Team Training. Team Training is a 2-week intensive learning experience that takes place in Bellingham at and around the Brigadoon campus.

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This course works to familiarize clients with their new service dog and their unique abilities.  Our clients learn to navigate the world with their new canine partners.  They work together to learn each other's "language", the first week in a controlled setting, and the second week out in public where they undergo a Public Access Test in order to graduate. We have designed this course to be inclusive of the various needs of our clients.

Non-Discrimination Policy

All applicants who apply to receive a service dog from Brigadoon will be considered on an individual basis to determine if our program is a good fit for their needs and lifestyle. Brigadoon does not discriminate or deny services to individuals in relation to their: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally protected medical condition, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, marital status, or any other basis protected by state or federal laws.

Voluntary Participation

Participation in the Brigadoon client application process is voluntary.  You may withdraw your application at any point during the application process.

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Click the button below to apply for a service dog or a facility dog.

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