Aretas Assistance Dogs

Aretas raises puppies from birth and begins training early. After several months, the puppy is paired with an owner and undergoes monthly weekend visits for bonding and training. Professional trainers lead the core training, while owners participate in ongoing private lessons. The program culminates in public access and task testing before permanent placement. They emphasize selecting the right dog first, then training the team together.

Pricing Summary

Evaluation and initial training session: $300. Breed selection consultation: $100/hour. Fully-trained service dogs: $6000. Owner training packages: $5000, paid in three installments. No free initial consultation. Pricing is structured to incentivize using their dog selection guidance, which reduces overall training costs.

Policies

Owner training packages are divided into three payments: first before the initial session, and the remaining two during training. Modest travel fees apply for excessive distances. No cancellation or rescheduling policy is explicitly stated.

Aretas Assistance Dogs is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that specializes in training service dogs for children and young adults with physical, developmental, and psychological disabilities, including autism, PTSD, diabetes, hearing loss, cerebral palsy, and more. They raise puppies from birth, often sourcing them from shelters, and train them using innovative positive reinforcement methods to ensure happy, well-adjusted working dogs. Their unique program combines professional training with simultaneous owner training, featuring monthly weekend visits during the dog’s development before permanent placement. They also provide expert guidance on selecting the right breed or rescue dog for specific service tasks, emphasizing that starting with the right dog reduces training time and increases success. They offer fully-trained service dogs and owner training packages, with a focus on building strong, effective human-dog teams.

They do not offer general pet training, grooming, boarding, or walking services. Their primary focus is on service dog placement and training for individuals with disabilities, particularly children.

Their trainers have backgrounds in child development, education, and social work, allowing them to understand the complex dynamics of families living with disabilities.

Accomplishments

Aretas Assistance Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a specialized program for training service dogs for children with life-threatening, chronic, or terminal illnesses. They focus on rescuing shelter dogs and raising them for service work, combining professional training with owner involvement to create highly effective teams.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients are strongly encouraged to contact Aretas before selecting a dog. They offer breed selection consultations and help identify suitable puppies or rescue dogs. Clients then proceed with evaluation, training, and bonding phases under their guidance.