AVSDA offers two options to help you train your own service dog:

1. Apply to (provided you meet all criteria) adopt an AVSDA service dog candidate.

2. Apply to train your own dog (provided your dog meets all criteria) to become your service dog.

AVSDA offers two different one-year-long training tracks to help you train your own service dog:

1. Students who do not yet have a dog first complete the Handler Training Program at KCC, and later attend dog training with their AVSDA provided dogs at the AVSDA Training Facility.

2. Students who already have an approved service dog candidate complete a comprehensive dog assessment to determine suitability. Approved dogs begin a short skills course at the AVSDA Training Facility while students are also enrolled in the Handler Training Program through KCC (where they attend without their dogs!)

AVSDA funds admitted students:

1. Tuition is paid by either the enrolled student's Illinois Veteran's Grant (directly to KCC) or entirely by AVSDA.

2. AVSDA pays for surgical neutering and first year vaccinations of AVSDA provided dogs at an AVSDA veterinary hospital.

AVSDA does NOT pay for:

1. Dog care, food, maintenance, grooming, veterinary well-care, and emergency expenses; these are the responsibility of the student.

AVSDA has an attendance policy:

1. Classes meet weekly for 52 weeks.

• Every enrolled student is required to attend weekly online and/ or in-person group lessons.

• Every enrolled student is required to complete weekly assignments and submit assigned course materials.

2. Students with excused absences may make up missing course work and lessons.

3. Students with unexcused absences may be required to leave the program.

4. Dogs that display aggression, pervasive disruptive behaviors, or unsuitability for service dog work will be excused from the program.