FAQ

A Recipient is a person who is or has received the benefits of our service in realization of an assistance/working dog.

At Dog On It! we start with the person and then select and train the dog specifically to meet that person's needs. We believe in the special relationship that occurs through bond and training and we help our Recipients becaome a part of that process as soon as possible.

To become a Recipient, you must first make an application to DOG ON IT!.

Our application process is divided into three steps. Each application process will require the applicant to complete the paper application, interview with our professionals, and supply required records and images. There is an application fee to cover administration fees and professional services incurred in each step of the application process.

By dividing the application process into three steps, it enables the prospective Recipient to incur application costs over time, instead of all at once. Additionally, if a prospective Recipient is is found not to be well served by our program, we may recognize this early on in the application process, saving time and financial investment for the potential Recipient. We feel this is a more fair and straight-forward process for the Recipient.

A DOG ON IT! Training Assistant is a highly trained volunteer that is paired with a Recipient/dog team or a dog during the training process in order to help see them through the training process. This person provides critical support during training that eases the costs incurred in training a service dog, thus saving the Recipient bottom-line costs in reaching their assistance goals.

The DOG ON IT! Training Assistant Program is the cornerstone for providing services to Recipients at reduced costs and in realizing professional staff trainers for our future programs.

To become a DOG ON IT! Training Assistant, you must first go through an application and interview process. If accepted into the program, you will enter a training program in order to obtain the specific skills needed to become a DOG ON IT! Training Assitant and effectively work with Recipients and their dogs.

Being an Intern Training Assistant is a fun and highly rewarding form of service unlike any other. You will have the opportunity to develop your own skills while helping others.

The DOG ON IT! Training Assistant Program has several levels. One can choose to go through as many or as few levels of training as one desires. Each level teaches the Training Assistant how to train more and more complex tasks with the dogs. Each level is fascinating and reaches a deeper level of training understanding and proficiency. 

There is a fee for the training associated with becoming a Dog On It! Training Assistant.

The time it takes to train an assitance dog may vary greatly, as it depends on the specific needs of the Recipient. Dog On IT! will be tailoring the training program for each Recipient, so once the interview process is complete and one is accepted into the program, we will be albe to give the Recipient a general idea of the expected time required to train the dog to meet their specific needs.

The costs associated in training assistance dogs can vary greatly and depend on the needs that the dog is required to provide for the Recipient. As well, each dog is individual and can learn to reach reliability at varying rates.

Each training plan is tailored to each Recipient, as we charge only for services rendered, not a pre-determined bulk price for each dog trained. This model, combined with the utilization of our Volunteer Training Assistants, can save Recipients as substantial amount in the final cost of realizing their assistance dog.

DOG ON IT! is honored to be able to provide this personaized service for a personalized and more cost-effective fee.

There are mulitple ways you can volunteer to help:

• Donate directly to a Recipient in support of their DOG ON IT! training program.
• Support a Training Assistant through a direct contribution to their DOG ON IT! training program.
• Give volunteer hours at a DOG ON IT! event.
• Become a DOG ON IT! Training Assistant and help train the dogs.
• Volunteer your talents: adminstration/computer/social networking time and skills.
• Join our Board of Directors or our Advisory Board.
• Support the organization directly by donating $$$ at their current and future funding drives and events.

You can give directly online at dogonit.org or can mail a contribution to our address: 125 LaPosta Road, Suite 11, Taos NM 87571. Use our contact form to inquire about volunteering time and talents!

Many dog breeds can provide service. While some breeds do stand out for particular services, more important than the breed can be the actual temperament (personaity) of the dog. Different types of service or work require different temperament traits in order to succeed.

For example, scent searching work dogs typically need to have high drive, strong independance, and good problem-solving skills. Medical assistance/alert dogs typically need to want to please, have enough drive to do the work while not being over-the-top driven like search dogs and should be also good at problem-solving. Emotional support/alert dogs typically need to be somewhat sensitive to emotions, so a bit softer in temperament while still having strong enough nerves that they do not become over-anxious in social situations that could effect their work. These are just a few examples of what we may be looking for in temperaments when selecting the right dog for the job.

The dog's temperament must also suit that of the Recipient for a good and final match to occur and success to be realized. In addtion to considering the temperament of the dog, we consider the size, upkeep requirements, health and genetics when selecting the appropiate dog and breed for the Recipient.

Your donations will go 100% to our operations and programing. We perate through the generosity of our donors and we take this responsibility very seriously. Our Board of Directors carefuly oversees the stewardship of the organization's finances and each expendidture is frugally considered.

If you give directly to the campaign of a Recipient, 100% of funds will go to that Recipient's training program to realize their dream and goal of receiving a fully certified assistance dog.

If you give directly to the campaign of a Training Assistant, 100% of funds wil go to that Training Assistant's training program. Training Assistants volunteer their time to fine-tune the training of the Recipient's dog, significantly lowering the cost of our program to the Recipient.

If you give to DOG ON IT! directly, you may be helping to cover administration and overhead fees or the Board of Directors may decide to use those funds to help one or more fo our training programs for a Recipient or Training Assistant. Giving directly enables us to use your support where it is needed most at the time.