About the Dogs

ADW dogs help our clients become: more independent, more self reliant, and equipped with a "tool" to increase personal mobility and environmental safety. Overall quality of life is improved through the introduction of a constant, non-judgmental, loving companion.

ADW dogs come from specific breeders who focus on successful service dog characteristics, from donations or shelters/rescues, and ADW occasionally breeds exemplary canine graduates of the program. Most often, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and a cross between these two breeds are used because of their innate interest in retrieving (many of the commands needed to assist people with physical mobility challenges are “retrieves”), their good work ethic and pleasant temperament. On occasion, Standard Poodles and Papillons have are also trained by ADW for service work. ADW dogs will be taught over 90 commands, a process which takes 18 to 24 months. Successful ADW dogs(9 out of 10 who enter the program) are then placed with clients and will assist the client for up to ten years.

Clients can also bring their own dogs to ADW for evaluation and training through the Self Training Program. Potential assistance dogs (of many breeds) are assessed for temperament and “interest” in doing the work, and accepted client/dog teams then work with ADW trainers for a minimum of four months. Graduates of Self Training leave the program with Public Access Certification and an identified set of skills to support the specific client.

Since 1995, ADW has trained and placed over 100 dogs with clients with disabilities. Our organization currently places ten to twelve dogs per year with clients primarily from New Mexico, although there are ADW dog/client teams from other parts of the country.