.png)
Started Service Dogs
In 2024, Sherbert Service Dogs was donated a standard poodle prospect (Hudson) by Growing Up Guide Pup, a registered non-profit in California. The goal with this partnership was to help bridge the gap in service dog placement for handlers who may not be able to handle raising a service dog in training, or commit to the majority of the training needed for a service dog. Through this, we saw the increasing demand for this kind of training, and officially launched the Started Service Dog Program in 2025!
Currently we offer six months of training, twelve months of training, and mostly trained (twenty months), with the mostly trained on a case by case basis. Within the Started Service Dog Program, our dogs receive foundational obedience training, socialization, attend group training classes, learn home manners, and have regular visits with their family prior to placement. These dogs are not fully trained, and will need 12-18 months of continued training once placed and living with their handler full time.
These dogs are raised by volunteer puppy raisers in the community with guidance from our trainers, and in the trainers home (on a case by case basis). Currently we work with a few approved breeders for this program, this includes Coastline Labrador Retrievers, Esprit Standard Poodles, and Growing Up Guide Pup.
The Started Service Dog Pathway
8 weeks
Puppy Pick Up from the Breeder
Once approved, applicants are connected with our partner breeders, or selected breeders that have been verified and approved by
Sherbert Service Dogs. They will acquire the dog from the breeder which will be placed into the care of a volunteer puppy raiser. Clients in the Started Service Dog Program receive regular photo and video updates, report cards and are granted access to attend group training classes with their puppy.
Hudson, our 2024 Started Puppy
8 weeks onward
Training With a Volunteer
Once placed with a volunteer puppy raiser, the Started Service Dogs receive weekly training through group classes, private one-to-one training, and work on their needed foundational skills, public access training, and socialization. Throughout this phase, the client is regularly visiting with the dog, bonding, and learning how to handle their dog prior to placement. This is done with a mix of day visits, overnight stays, and multi-day visits. During these transition preparation sessions, the trainer team is available for 24/hour support to the client to troubleshoot and support them.
8-14 months
Handler Placement
Between 8-14 months (depending on pre-placement training timelines), the Started Service Dog has transitioned to living with their handler full time. At this time, the dog has successfully completed several multi day visits, overnights, and the handler has received necessary handling training, grooming training, and public access handler education.
Dudley, our 2025 Started Puppy
14-24 months
Training to Graduation
Once successful placement has occurred, the weekly sessions transition to the client working directly with one of Sherbert Service Dogs trainers, and attending group classes at the clients discretion. The team focuses on task training, continued home manners, public access training, and public access test preparation. Once the team has met Sherbert Service Dogs graduation requirements, they will be issued a graduation letter, continued access to exclusive client field trips, and support documentation for the Guide Dog and Service Dog Public Access Test (administered by Obedience Unleashed)
.jpg)
Merlin, our 2026 Started Puppy
Cost
Our Started Service Dog Program has a flat monthly rate of $585 + GST to cover training expenses, travel, one bag of dog treats, and ongoing support (for volunteers and the client). This does not include care costs, grooming costs, veterinary care, or pet insurance. Clients are billed monthly with all applicable expenses.
The pay what you can rate applies to post-placement training with the handler on a case by case basis when requested by the client.
Time Commitment
Clients within the Started Service Dog Program should expect to spend 2-3 hours a week reviewing resources sent by the trainers (books, videos, the service dog in training updates), attending group classes, attending any virtual training, and any additional pre-placement education.
This education will begin upon the puppy's arrival with a volunteer puppy raiser, until placement.