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ICAN depends on volunteers. Opportunities exist in many areas, including furloughing puppies for socialization in public, pup starting, fundraising, administrative support, and more. If interested, please see the Volunteer Application that is available through our office or web site.
ICAN places service dogs for residents of Indiana. Due to limited resources, ICAN does not place dogs outside the State of Indiana, although this may change in the future.
Breeders in Indiana and neighboring states have donated most of the ICAN puppies. Care is taken to select pups from lines with sound medical histories (with emphasis on hip ratings) and temperaments. A small number of our dogs have come from shelter or rescue organizations. As a general rule, we prefer that pups entering the program be 6 months or younger.
For the most part, ICAN uses Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, both males and females. In certain instances, however, we use dogs of other breeds (collies, labradoodles, mixes).
ICAN�s primary mission is to train service dogs for Indiana children and adults with disabilities. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990), a dog is considered a "service dog" if it has been "individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. To be considered a service dog, the dog must be trained to perform tasks directly related to the person's disability. ICAN trained service dogs help their human partners with daily tasks such as opening doors, retrieving items, and balance support. Additionally, the dogs provide emotional support and a bridge for positive social interactions. Below are the specific categories of dogs that ICAN provides.
- 1) Assistant dogs:
These dogs perform helpful tasks for people who use wheelchairs or have other limitations in their arms and/or legs. This type of dog has public access and is protected by the ADA. This type of placement requires that the person working the dog be able to manage the dog independently when out in public. Generally, individuals must be at least 16 years of age before they are mature enough to be able to handle a service dog alone when in public.
- 2) Facilitated Teams:
These dogs are provided to a �team�. The first team member is a child or older adult who has a disability. The second team member is a non-disabled adult, usually a parent but may be a spouse or significant other. This second individual facilitates the work of the dog with the first team member. In this type of placement, all members of the team must be available for the Team Training that ICAN conducts and be present when working the dog in public. This type of dog has public access and is protected by the ADA as long as all members of the team are present.
- 3) In-home placement:
These dogs provide help with tasks such as retrieving dropped items, balance support, etc. but this assistance can only be provided in places where pet dogs are permitted. Thus, the difference between this type of dog and an �assistant dog� is that this type of dog does NOT have public access and does not have legal protection as outlined by the ADA. For people who do not go out of their home much or have assistance from others when they do, this type of placement can be an attractive option as the wait period for this type of dog is typically not as long as the wait period for the other type of ICAN dogs.
- 4) Facility dogs:
These dogs work with professional caregivers who incorporate the dog into the care of their clients, patients or students. These dogs are most frequently placed in hospitals (e.g., physical therapy departments) or schools with special needs students. These dogs do not have a protected legal right to public access as outlined by the ADA. These dogs may be permitted to enter facilities (e.g., schools, therapy units) but this is a negotiated agreement between the dog�s facilitator and the administration of the facility where the facilitator is working with the dog. (See additional information about Facility dogs at the end of this document).
- 5) Release dogs:
Not all dogs are suited for service dog work. When ICAN determines that a dog is not suited for service dog work, the dog enters the Release Dog Program. Some of the dogs in the Release Dog program are placed in other roles such as law enforcement, search and rescue or pet homes. It is important to understand that these release dogs are not provided public access through the ADA. Release dogs are provided at a reduced cost as compared to the costs associated with the 4 categories of dogs described above; additionally, there is a separate application for a release dog.
We often receive inquiries from people who are looking for a dog that can be partnered with an individual with special circumstances (e.g., chronically ill, a child with social-emotional difficulties, etc.). We consider this type of placement a �therapeutic placement�. We make every attempt to give priority to therapeutic placements when a release dog is available.
At this time ICAN does not provide hearing alert, seizure alert or diabetes alert dogs. Additionally, ICAN does not train dogs for people with psychiatric disorders.
ICAN dogs are trained in correctional facilities in Indiana. Under the guidance of ICAN staff, the offenders learn positive ways to motivate, offer feedback, and instruct the pups as the offenders become aware of their own communication strengths and weaknesses. In short, Indiana residents with physical disabilities aren�t the only ones who benefit; offenders in prisons training the assistant dogs learn responsibility, empathy, and communication skills.
Only offenders with a record of good behavior are considered for the program. They must complete an application and interview process. Among the factors considered in the selection process are the person�s crime, their motivation for wanting to be in the program and the level of responsibility they have demonstrated during their time in the prison.
Breeders often begin the training process by getting the puppies comfortable with being handled and introducing them to sights and sounds in a positive way. Some pups also participate in our "Pup Starter" program whereby a community volunteer provides a home for a pup and follow a structured curriculum of teaching the pups until the pup is ~14 weeks of age. Once pups reach about 14 weeks of age, they are placed in Indiana correctional facilities where carefully screened and trained offenders work with the pups.
Once pups are placed in a correctional facility, the offenders immediately begin to work with them, shaping behaviors, introducing commands and providing the pup with affection and confidence.
The whole process of training a service dog takes up to two years. Specifically, dogs that show promise as a service dog enter the Advanced Training program at about 16-18 months of age. The Advanced Training program emphasizes fine-tuning of the commands the pup will use as a service dog. Dogs are generally placed when they are 22 to 24 months old.
Not all pups have the temperament or health required to become service dogs. Some pups are too shy, others too assertive. Large breed puppies, such as Labs and Goldens, may have hip or elbow issues that limit their working life as a service dog. Unfortunately, it is not possible to reliably determine if a young puppy has the �right� temperament or is clear of health issues. It takes time and the development of the pup to know if this line of work will be right for them. The decision is usually made when the pup is between 12-18 months.
ICAN tries to match the dogs that cannot be placed as service dogs with the most suitable adoptive home. When possible, we try to locate a situation where a family member has a special need (e.g. a child with emotional difficulties, chronically ill person, homebound). These special need situations are given priority over pet placements. Sometimes the pups exhibit special talents and every effort is made to locate placements where those talents can be used, such as work in law enforcement.
Due to limited resources, ICAN is currently not able to help people train their own service dogs. While many people are successful in training their own service dogs, people who undertake this process should recognize that it takes an enormous amount of time and energy.
It is not possible to make precise predictions regarding how long the wait will be for a service dog. We can tell you the following:
- ICAN�s priority for placements is with children and adolescents. We do accept adult applications but adults need to know that children and adolescents are the first priority.
- We do take into account the order we receive applications; however, we also strive to make the best possible match between the assistant dog and the recipient. This match-up takes into consideration the physical structure and temperament of the dog as well as the lifestyle and personality of the recipient. Thus, we may not always keep to strict first come-first serve policy.
- We hope that your wait will be less than a year and a half. Please remember that this is only an estimate and may change. You are welcome to contact us for an update.
The decision for a person, family or facility to bring an ICAN dog into their life requires a serious and sustained commitment. While the mission of ICAN is to provide as many people as possible with healthy, safe dogs, we are also committed to making sure that ICAN dogs are placed in safe, healthy environments. Some of the conditions that we consider to be important include:
- Will the service dog be an �indoor dog�? While many people are accustomed to keeping �outdoor dogs�, service dogs have been bred and trained to form strong bonds to people. When dogs are routinely kept outside, it is unlikely that the type of special bond between a dog and his/her handler can truly develop to its fullest capacity.
- Is there a way for the dog to get adequate exercise each day? When service dogs are placed they are typically 2 years of age or less and have a good deal of energy. If dogs (especially young dogs) do not receive regular opportunities to exercise, they can quickly develop behavior problems and/or gain excessive weight.
- Is there a fence or containment system for the dog? Again, it is important for service dogs to be able to exercise and/or relax when they are not working. An off-leash dog in an outdoor area can quickly become a traffic casualty and/or establish a pattern of roaming.
- Who will take care of the dog in the event that the primary handler is not able to? Some individuals who have disabilities find that their strength and/or symptoms vary considerably from day-to-day or week-to-week. It is important for a back-up plan to be in place in the event that the primary recipient of the dog is not able to care for the dog.
- Are there other members of the household? If so, how do they feel about a service dog? Are they supportive? Are they willing to help with the care and upkeep of the dog (e.g., trimming dog�s nails, grooming, taking dog to vet as needed, picking up dog waste)? Does anyone have allergies to dogs?
- ? Are there other animals in the household or facility? If so, how might introducing a service dog impact them? Have other dogs been introduced before? Dogs and cats can be quite socially sensitive and not all will adapt readily to �newcomers�. While we do place service dogs in homes with multiple animals, it is an undertaking that deserves consideration. The more animals there are in the home, the more difficult it becomes to do a successful placement.
- Does anyone in the house or facility smoke? If so, how often? ICAN will generally not place an ICAN dog in a home or facility where there is regular 2nd-hand smoke.
- Does the person or family have the financial means to care for service dog? While estimates vary on how much it takes to provide care and proper vet care for a dog, most people place the cost between $1000-$1500/year.
It is estimated that the actual cost to train a service dog (including food and medical care) is approximately $15,000 to $20,000 over 2 years.
We ask for a $25.00 non-refundable application fee that should be sent at the time of application. Individuals who are matched with a dog will need to attend a 10-14 day training class, called �Team Training�. As of 2007, the cost for an ICAN service dog (any of the 4 working categories noted above) is $950; the cost for an ICAN release dog is $800. Team Training is not required for our Release Dogs.
Some other expenses are associated with Team Training include your accommodations (if you have to travel to Indianapolis), transportation, and attendant care, if needed. Meals will be another cost for you. ICAN will provide lunches at Team Training but breakfast and dinner will be up to you.
Our application process has several parts that all need to be completed before an application will be considered.
- Applicant section: Applicants may complete their section of the process online. Individuals who do not have Internet access may request that an application be sent to them.
- References: Applicants need to obtain one medical and one personal reference. These reference forms are available through our web site. The applicant to those providing the references with accompanying postage should provide these materials. These letters of reference should be sent directly from the reference source to ICAN.
- Application fee: Your application fee is due at the time of application.
Once your application for a service dog is complete (which includes the personal application form, medical reference form, personal reference form, and application fee), we will review your application materials. If we think that a placement of an ICAN dog is realistic, we will set up one or more live sessions. These live sessions are a combination of interview, discussion and actual experience working a dog.
These above mentioned sessions take place in one of three places: your home, at the ICAN headquarters or at one of the participating correctional facilities. The decision of where your interview takes place will be based on ICAN�s assessment of your needs, feasibility, etc.
We ask your permission to videotape any live sessions so we can get a sense of your abilities and living situation. With this information we are able to look for the best match between your skills, your needs, and the skill and temperaments of the potential dogs.
Once you have been pre-matched with a dog, you will be asked to come to Indianapolis to attend Team Training. Team Training typically takes place in Indianapolis at the Indiana Women�s Prison and the ICAN office and lasts 10-14 days. During Team Training, offenders and ICAN staff will teach you how to work with and care for your service dog.
We hope that you and your ICAN service dog have a long and productive relationship as a team after you leave ICAN Team Training. Should the need arise, as an ICAN graduate, we want to provide ongoing help and support so that you and your service dog work well. We use the following system of follow-up after teams graduate from Team Training.
- Probationary Period: To help us gauge how things are progressing, graduates are expected to participate in regular check-ins regarding their ICAN dog. Our service dog placements are conducted on a 1-year probationary period.
- Recertification: ICAN teams that have public access (i.e., assistant, facilitated or facility placements) are required to be �recertified� on a yearly. Recertification sessions typically take place in Indianapolis and are offered several times each year. Individuals who move out of the State of Indiana following graduation assume responsibility for demonstrating that that their teams is continuing to work in a safe manner. These arrangements are made in consultation with ICAN staff on a case-by-case basis.
- Continuing Education: Starting in 2008, ICAN requires that, in addition to undergoing yearly recertification, all teams that have public access must participate in at least 3 continuing education sessions throughout the first year and at least 1 in each successive year. These continuing education sessions will ensure that you and your service dog continue to be productive and safe teams. These sessions are generally conducted in Indianapolis. Teams who graduated prior to 2008 are welcome to attend these continuing education sessions.
- Retirement: Finally, when the time comes and your ICAN service dog is ready to retire, we hope that you will consider ICAN for your successor dog!
As far as liability insurance is concerned: ICAN does not provide liability insurance for dogs once they are placed with a client in a facility (e.g., teacher, physical therapist). That is, there is a trial adoption period following Team Training when clients and dogs are matched up. Once the trial adoption period is over there is a transfer of ownership and the client or the facility assumes liability. So ICAN covers liability while the dog is ICAN ownership.
ICAN requires that applicants who are applying for a facility dog provide a memo of understanding between the applicant and the facility�s administration (i.e., school superintendent). ICAN can provide more details about the specific contents of this letter; however, but the goal of such a document is to make sure that issues of ownership and access of the dog are agreed upon in advance. For example, in a school setting, if a teacher pays for the dog and leaves to go to another school, the ICAN dog would typically travel with the teacher and may work in the new setting -provided it is still considered by ICAN to be an appropriate setting. Alternatively, if the school pays for the dog and the teacher leaves, the dog would normally stay with the school and with some training, work with someone new. The new facilitator of the dog would need to undergo some training with ICAN staff.
In addition to the above-mentioned organizations, there are a number of Internet discussion groups. Because the composition and location of these groups frequently change, we encourage those interested in joining these to check the listing available through Yahoo, etc.
Thank you for your interest!
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