Why has AD4A chosen NOT to apply for Charitable designation? ...Because it is too costly.
The Assistance Dogs For All Model: a New Business Framework for Service Dog Providers
More than ever before, financial constraints and a desire to provide high quality assistance dogs are constant pressures on service dog organizations. Unfortunately, the additional financial and infrastructure requirements by Assistance Dogs International for being a Not-for-Profit organization hinder candidate service dog organizations with a costly burden that can and does impact the ability of the organization to survive. It is self-evident that the time and resources required to support financial management, resource identification, solicitation and fund-raising reduce the resources available in smaller organizations for training dogs. Thus, the ADI Model of Service Dog Training and placement, while commendable and successful, has served to limit the number of assistance dogs available to the many individuals that would benefit from them. While ISCTA supports and commends the organizations that comply with the numerous ADI requirements such as a formal Board of Directors, by-laws, a staff of volunteers, a training facility and 503(c) tax status. Our research indicates that the demand for Emotional Support, Social, Veteran, and Psychiatric Service Dogs far exceeds the ability of ADI-certified organizations to supply the needed dogs. Therefore, in the interest of:
...We have decided NOT to apply for certification by Assistance Dogs International. Nevertheless, the training program at AD4A is modeled on that of ADI so that all dogs meet the ADI Standards for Public Access Certification Training (PACT). Note that AD4A Trainers are certified to ADI standards by ISCTA, the International Society of Canine Trainers and Assessors.
For more information on ADI Standards, see: http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/Standards/
Copyright 2007-2015, all rights reserved, Assistance Dogs for All
More than ever before, financial constraints and a desire to provide high quality assistance dogs are constant pressures on service dog organizations. Unfortunately, the additional financial and infrastructure requirements by Assistance Dogs International for being a Not-for-Profit organization hinder candidate service dog organizations with a costly burden that can and does impact the ability of the organization to survive. It is self-evident that the time and resources required to support financial management, resource identification, solicitation and fund-raising reduce the resources available in smaller organizations for training dogs. Thus, the ADI Model of Service Dog Training and placement, while commendable and successful, has served to limit the number of assistance dogs available to the many individuals that would benefit from them. While ISCTA supports and commends the organizations that comply with the numerous ADI requirements such as a formal Board of Directors, by-laws, a staff of volunteers, a training facility and 503(c) tax status. Our research indicates that the demand for Emotional Support, Social, Veteran, and Psychiatric Service Dogs far exceeds the ability of ADI-certified organizations to supply the needed dogs. Therefore, in the interest of:
- Providing certified assistance and service dogs to the many individuals who need them...
- Providing trained dogs to the large contingency of people who do not meet the specific eligibility requirements of charitable service dog organizations…
- Keeping costs minimal so as to make assistance/service dogs affordable to all that need them…
- Reducing training time such that more dogs are available, sooner…
...We have decided NOT to apply for certification by Assistance Dogs International. Nevertheless, the training program at AD4A is modeled on that of ADI so that all dogs meet the ADI Standards for Public Access Certification Training (PACT). Note that AD4A Trainers are certified to ADI standards by ISCTA, the International Society of Canine Trainers and Assessors.
For more information on ADI Standards, see: http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/Standards/
Copyright 2007-2015, all rights reserved, Assistance Dogs for All
