Special Announcement MSAR Service Dogs
MSAR Re-Opens up the Owner Trainer Program as well as partnering with HoldFast K9 in Alberta.
Owner Trainer Program
If you have a dog you would like to train and make into a Service
Dog and looking for professional assistance with manuals included - this is the program for you. Class sizes are limited to 5 participants per trainer and are ongoing so you can join anytime.
The program is having intake for Manitoba and Alberta.
Service Dog Training Overview
1 year of training with breaks in August and December.
Focus is on Service dogs for PTSD and Detection.
Other types of medical service dog training are available upon request and approval.
The handler trains their own dog with MSAR / Holdfast K9 Guidance.
2-hour Weekly public training sessions.
Full or Monthly payment plans are available.
What is the
MSAR / Holdfast K9 Owner Trained Service Dog Program?
This is a 1-year program where the handler trains their own service dog with weekly guidance from MSAR / Holdfast K9.
Total of approx. 100 hours of training with a certified service dog trainer with an additional 140 hours of at-home advanced training.
The training sessions will be in a public and classroom setting and prepare the dog and handler to pass the Certification Service Dog Test.
How To Apply
The candidate must complete an intake application with MSAR / Holdfast K9 and be approved for the program.
The application includes the following documentation:
- MSAR / Holdfast K9 Application.
- Medical Recommendation for a Service Dog.
- Veterinary Requirements for a Service Dog.
- Owner Trained Service Dog Program Agreement.
- $25 Application fee (nonrefundable).
Program Details
During the following 4 phases of training, the handler must provide their own equipment (collar, leash, vest, and treats). MSAR / Holdfast K9 has structured it's fee schedule to lower the financial risk of the dog handler.
The steps to our program are as follows:
MSAR / Holdfast K9 will not start any training or assessments until the paperwork is received and proof of disability is given.
An initial assessment must be done of the dog for service dog work. This assessment is done in a public setting and covers temperament only (not obedience) and takes approx.1 hour to complete. The dog must be a minimum of six months of age to be assessed.
If the team passes its assessment, they begin a 4-week (4 x1 hour training sessions) probation period where the dog and handler are further evaluated for the handler’s ability to manage a dog and the dog’s temperament and trainability.
Any issues with the dog or the handler’s ability to manage a dog will be identified during this probation.
This is to reduce the financial commitment ($500 only) to the handler should future training not be advisable.
If the dog and handler passes its probation and they wish to continue training with MSAR / Holdfast K9, a separate agreement will be signed outlining payment options for the remaining 10 months. Training will consist of weekly 2-hour training sessions (4 weeks a month total) for a total of 10 months.
This training will be focused on imprinting the required medical tasks in the dog as well as advanced obedience. Upon conclusion of the training, Holdfast K9 will administer a practice Public Access Test (PAT) to ensure the team is ready for provincial testing.
MSAR / Holdfast K9 will not start any training or assessments until the paperwork is received and proof of disability is given.
An initial assessment must be done of the dog for service dog work. This assessment is done in a public setting and covers temperament only (not obedience) and takes approx.1 hour to complete. The dog must be a minimum of six months of age to be assessed.
If the team passes its assessment, they begin a 4-week (4 x1 hour training sessions) probation period where the dog and handler are further evaluated for the handler’s ability to manage a dog and the dog’s temperament and trainability.
Any issues with the dog or the handler’s ability to manage a dog will be identified during this probation.
This is to reduce the financial commitment ($500 only) to the handler should future training not be advisable.
If the dog and handler passes its probation and they wish to continue training with MSAR / Holdfast K9, a separate agreement will be signed outlining payment options for the remaining 10 months. Training will consist of weekly 2-hour training sessions (4 weeks a month total) for a total of 10 months.
This training will be focused on imprinting the required medical tasks in the dog as well as advanced obedience. Upon conclusion of the training, Holdfast K9 will administer a practice Public Access Test (PAT) to ensure the team is ready for provincial testing.
Note*** If the team fails the practice Public Access Test further training can be scheduled at the same monthly rate until the dog is ready for testing.
Cost (Fee Schedule)
The cost for the MSAR / Holdfast K9 Owner Trained Service Dog program is as follows:
$25 - Application Fee
$75 – Dog Assessment
$400 – 4 Week Probation Period
$4,500 – Training – Monthly cost for 10 months of training is $450 per month.
A separate agreement will be done for payment options.
If further training is required after 10 months, it can be scheduled at the same monthly rate agreed upon in the original agreement.
Service Dog Definition
A Service Dog is a canine specifically trained to minimize the functional limitations of a person with a disability.
Service dogs may also be referred to as assistance dogs.
Includes but is not limited to guide, mobility, medical alert, medical response, hearing, psychiatric, autism, and PTSD.
