APPLY FOR A FORTITUDE DOG
Email us at info@fortitudeservicedogs.org to request an application.
Prior to being matched with a dog, we must:
1. Have a completed application on file.
2. Conduct an interview.
3. Complete a Home Check.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for a Fortitude Service Dog, you must have been diagnosed with a disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by a licensed mental health professional or a licensed physician. Your disability must be significantly hindering your daily life. Fortitude works primarily with military veterans, first-responders, and children.
***We do not provide Emotional Support Animals (ESA’s).***
Note: An ESA differs from Psychiatric Service Dog. For example, an ESA generally provides comfort, while a Psychiatric Service Dog is specially trained to perform several tasks to assist a person suffering from a psychiatric disability such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.)
Is a service dog right for me?
Though they make great helpers, service dogs are not for everyone. Are you willing to put in the time and effort it takes to maintain the required standard of training for your dog? Do you have the necessary funds to provide for his nutrition and medical needs? Are you able to prioritize your dog’s needs in order to help them stay fit, happy, confident, stable and healthy? Are you accepting of the fact that, caring for a service dog brings forth a lifestyle change? (Suddenly, a quick run to the store immediately in the morning might not be appropriate. Perhaps our dog first needs a walk to expend some energy before going into a distracting environment.)
Is a Fortitude Dog right for me?
Have you delved into our training philosophy?
Are you in agreeance with our training methods?
Our dogs are trained with a foundation of trust, patience, empathy, and encouragement.
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If you apply for one of our dogs, expect to learn a lot about what it means to provide your dog with leadership and security; as well as how to take responsibility for the role we as handlers play during the times our dogs are not succeeding.
While our Fortitude dogs can accomplish physical tasks such as retrieving a cane or removing socks, one of the greatest lessons we learn is how to develop self-awareness by assessing how our actions, body language, tone, and energy affect our dogs and the world around us
DOGS FOR MILITARY VETERANS
Psychiatric
- Panic attack & anxiety interruption
- Retrieval of medicine
- Turning on light-switch
- Pressure Therapy – Releases dopamine and serotonin triggering a calming reflex in the body.
- Block – Creating space between handler and others.
- Alert – Let handler know about aspects of the environment that might trigger stress response.
Mobility
- Retrieval – Various items (ex: Keys, phone, wallet, medicine, cane, prosthetic limb, shoes, etc.)
- Clothing Removal – (Removing shoes, socks, jackets, hats, gloves.)
- Assistance with various everyday tasks such as opening/closing doors and drawers.
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At Fortitude, we want our dogs to not only be able to perform necessary tasks, but also serve as a catalyst for improving mental and physical health organically. We believe being out in the fresh air and in nature with our dogs allows us to recharge and improve our quality of life. We want our dogs’ needs for exercise to inspire their new partner to get outside and do something healthy such as walking, hiking, biking, or jogging. Please view our “What is dummy work?” section to understand this sport as an option for every client, no matter their mobility limitations.
DOGS FOR CHILDREN
Mobility
- Retrieval / Picking items off the ground – Various items (ex: Keys, phone, wallet, medicine, cane, prosthetic limb, shoes, etc.)
- Clothing Removal – (Removing shoes, socks, jackets, hats, gloves.)
- Assistance with various everyday tasks such as opening/closing doors and drawers.
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Service dogs can act as a social ice-breaker for children that might not otherwise be approached by his or her peers. Suddenly, a child with mobility limitations is now “the kid with the dog” instead of “the kid in the wheelchair.” Our child teams are also able to participate in dummy work with their dog. Please read our “What is dummy work?” section to understand the benefits of participating in this sport with our dogs.
OTHER
If you are an adult with a disability but not a veteran or first-responder, please e-mail us at info@fortitudeservicedogs.org to see if we can offer you a service dog.
CONTACT US
info@fortitudeservicedogs.org
218-380-7388
Saginaw, MN 55779
