About ADW

ADW FAQs

When was ADW founded?

ADW was founded in 1995 with one dog, one client and one trainer. That original trainer is now ADW Program Director, Jill Felice. Felice studied with Dr. Bonnie Bergin at the Assistance Dog Institute, operating out of the Northern California Juvenile Detention Center. There, Felice taught troubled youth how to be junior Assistance Dog Trainers.

Where do the dogs come from?

The dogs come from breeders, rescues or donations, and ADW does occasionally breed exemplary canine graduates of the program. Most often, Labradors and Golden Retrievers are used because of their innate interest in retrieving, good work ethic and cheerful dispositions.

How many commands do the dogs learn?

A minimum of 90

How long does it take to train a dog?

18 to 24 months, which is 25% faster than the national average.

How many dogs are in training annually?

20 or more.

How much does it cost to train a dog?

$15,000 over 18 months.

How does that compare to the national average?

The national average among the other service dog organizations nationwide is between $25,000 and $30,000.

Are payment plans available?

Yes, please inquire about these during the application process

How long is the waiting period for a client?

One to two years depending upon the specific client need.

How does your waiting period compare to other agencies?

The average national client waiting period to receive a dog is five years.

Is ADW’s student-based training program the only one in the country?

The breadth of the ADW educational programs is unique. Most other agencies work with one particular student audience. The variety of student audiences allows ADW dogs to learn to work with many different types of clients.

What’s the benefit of using students as trainers?

Student trainers keep the costs down as the schools contribute program fees. Student trainers also speed up the training time, since students work with their dogs on a very consistent basis throughout the school year. Additional benefits are the life skills that are taught to the students and the exposure they get to people with disabilities. Student trainers widen the circle of community involvement.

How many people work at ADW?

Four employees, student teaching assistants and a contract trainer.

Where can I send my tax-deductible donation?

Assistance Dogs of the West
PO Box 31027
Santa Fe , NM 87594
PHONE: 505-986-9748 Fax: 505.989.9640
Click here to make a donation online

What if I don’t have cash to give?

There are many other types of non-cash gifts which can be considered as a contribution: securities, personal property, equipment, real estate, life insurance, fine art, etc. We would be happy to work with you and your financial advisor to help you make a contribution that meets your charitable needs. Planned giving from estates is also a way to leave a program sustaining gift. Contact the ADW office with any questions.