Gilford’s Golden Guardians

Gilford’s Golden Guardians provides individualized service animal training through demonstrations and consultations, teaching dogs to perform tasks and alerts based on a handler’s confirmed diagnosis. The program typically trains dogs until they are twelve months old, with some completing earlier. It requires 20 training sessions by the time the pup is one year old, with a commitment of 1.5 hours per day for homework and tests.

The curriculum includes reading assignments and videos demonstrating proper techniques. Handlers are required to maintain a 3-ring binder, which Gilford’s Golden Guardians keeps, and a community access binder. Periodic demonstrations and testing are conducted, with “Keep, Start, Stop” evaluations after each session. Remote training is conducted in February, requiring weekly video submissions for critique.

Pricing Summary

The consultative package has three costs: the pup (paid directly to breeders, typically $3,000 – $4,000), consultative training (Medical Alert, Autism, PTSD/Psychiatric training is $17,500), and dog maintenance (estimated $1,000 in the first year). A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to initiate training, with the remaining cost divided into ten equal installments due on the first of each month for ten consecutive months. Prices may vary based on additional clinical needs, and final quoted prices are valid for 90 days.

Policies

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to initiate training. The remaining cost is divided into ten equal installments, due on the first of each month for ten consecutive months.

Gilford’s Golden Guardians provides unique consultative service animal training, specializing in pairing individuals with golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, poodles, golden-doodles, and labra-doodles for a life of service. Their mission is to offer consultation and 1:1 coaching to handlers while training their service animals, fostering a powerful and effective bond between handler and pup.

The program is fast-paced and community-based, designed to teach pups to be confident dogs that can think on their feet and provide appropriate supports for each individual’s unique needs, aiming to bring joy, companionship, and increased ability. Founder Kaarla Weston has over 30 years of experience in developmental services and has trained more than 70 service animals, using methods like Koehler’s, Hands Free Systems, and Clicker Training, exclusively employing positive reinforcement.

Accomplishments

Founder Kaarla Weston holds a BA from St. Michael’s College and a Master’s in Human Service Administration with equal credits in Community Psychology. She has 30 years of experience in the field of developmental services and has trained over 70 service animals. Her training methods are based on Koehler’s Method of Dog Training, Hands Free Systems, and Clicker Training, with a strict adherence to positive reinforcement.

How to Get Started!

To begin the process, prospective clients must complete four steps: provide documentation confirming their diagnosis, submit a written script from a healthcare practitioner recommending a service animal with a description of necessary tasks/alerts, undergo a handling assessment by Gilford’s Golden Guardians to determine the individual pairing content, and review the 2025 contract.