ADW
About the Dogs
Release Dogs
Policy
Any dog determined to be unsuitable for placement as a service dog or therapy dog will be released from Assistance Dogs of the West formal training and will be placed in an appropriate environment.
Donation
- Donations for release dogs are accepted.
- The donation is not a fee or sale price, but a request to defer to or reimburse ADW for medical expenses, training expenses, or any other expenses incurred by the dog or ADW.
- Reasonable expectation of donation fees range from $1,000 to $2,500 averaging $1,500 depending on the dog’s training experience, health status, and disposition.
- Donations are not always required to receive a release dog, dependant upon the specific dog situation/condition.
Procedure
- The ADW trainer staff will determine if a dog-in-training is unsuitable for placement as a service dog.
- ADW staff, board members, release dog waiting list, volunteers, and student trainers will be notified that a release dog is available.
- ADW maintains a database of those interested in receiving a release dog.
- The interested Parties will fill out the Release Dog Questionnaire and then send it back to the ADW office for evaluation.
- If approved, the ADW staff will screen the applicant by telephone, conduct a home visit, and provide a weekend with the dog before the release is finalized.
- ADW staff can decide for any reason not to place the dog with an applicant.
- All release dogs will be spayed or neutered prior to release placement unless the new owner agrees to breed the release dog for ADW.
- The money agreed upon for the dog will be arranged with ADW Executive Director.
- A Release Dog Agreement and Transfer of Ownership agreement will be signed by the new owner and ADW.