Go to FAQs: Applications

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Go To FAQs: Puppy Raising

What is Canine Helpers for the Disabled Inc?

Canine Helpers for the Disabled Inc (or Canine Helpers) is a non-profit organisation that trains assistance dogs to enable people with disabilities to improve their quality of life.

What is an Assistance Dog?

There are four categories of Assistance Dog trained by Canine Helpers:

1. Service Dogs - Service dogs perform practical functions for adults with physical impairments. This can include such tasks as opening and closing doors, retrieving specific items and operating light switches. Children can apply for Service Dogs contingent upon the assistance of an adult.
2. Hearing Dogs - Hearing Dogs are placed with people who are deaf or have hearing impairment. They respond to common sounds such as the telephone, smoke alarm, and baby crying. They direct their handlers to the location of the sound.
3. Facility Dogs - These dogs work within a facility such as a special school or hospital rehabilitation clinic. They have a dedicated care giver who the dog lives with and works with to provide physical and emotional therapy for the clients of the facility.
4. Therapy Dogs - Therapy Dogs are provided to individuals who do not require intensive physical assistance but who still receive a tangible benefit beyond that of a companion dog.

Please note: Canine Helpers is currently only able to place assistance dogs in Queensland.

What happens to dogs that fail the training?

Canine Helpers does not put down dogs who fail the course. These dogs are available for sale to people with disabilities or their families as companion dogs. Dogs unsuitable for this are re-homed into carefully selected pet homes.  Members of the public are welcome to express interest in receiving one of these dogs.

Which breeds does Canine Helpers use?

Canine Helpers uses a variety of breeds for training. Each applicant is assessed for their specific requirements, and Canine Helpers chooses the most suitable dog for that applicant's situation. As Canine Helpers already has the dogs in training when applicants apply, we are generally unable to accommodate breed requests. For more information about the types of breeds we use, please check out our Donating Dogs page.

Does Canine Helpers train seizure alert dogs?

Some of Canine Helpers dogs do alert/respond to seizures, but this is a naturally occurring secondary function to the dog's other role. Canine Helpers currently does not train dogs specifically for seizure alert, although privately trained seizure alert dogs can be accredited through our Private Certification Program.

Are Assistance Dogs allowed in public like Guide Dogs?

The answer to this question is "yes", although the dog's recipients must complete a Public Access Test to prove that they can control the dog in a public setting.  Canine Helpers is a member of Assistance Dogs International, and we adhere to their strict requirements regarding the suitability of dogs for public work. The pet of a disabled person is not allowed in public unless it is a trained assistance animal.

Queensland is introducing new legislation in July 2009, to formalise the rights and responsibilities of assistance dogs and their handlers. 

Canine Helpers Trainers and Puppy Raisers also take their pups out in public.

All Canine Helpers assistance dogs are required to wear their identification coat whenever they are out in public.  Assistance dog handlers must carry their Canine Helpers ID card at all times.

What does it cost to receive a Canine Helpers dog?

Canine Helpers provides hearing, therapy and service dogs free of charge, however we are currently forced to charge for the compulsory team training class for the recipient due to limited funding. We have a $35 application fee and the recipient pays an additional $350 for the education course before placement.

Facility Dogs are funded by the facility in which they will be working, or their own sponsor organisation. The cost of a Facility Dog is $1450, including the team training course. This is only approximately 10% of the value of everything that has been invested in the dog before placement.

If you would like to sponsor a Canine Helpers dog to help us further reduce our costs, please contact us.  Canine Helpers has a specific online appeal to collect funds which are then directly used to defray the cost of a team training course for a person with a disability who does not have sufficient income to fund their course. If you could contribute to this fund, it will help make our team training courses free of charge. Click here to go to our donations facility.

How long does the whole process take?

Puppies are raised in volunteer puppy raisers homes from 8 weeks to 12-15 months of age. They are then returned to the training facility to complete a 6-month intensive training period. During this time, the dog receives between 60 and 120 hours training, depending on the type of role for which it is being trained. The dog and applicant then complete 5 days training before the final placement. Each recipient is given life time evaluations and follow up to ensure a continuing smooth relationship.  Dogs retire at varying ages depending on their breed and the type of work they perform. Retired dogs are retained as pets by their handlers and their family if at all possible.

Do you only train puppies or can the dogs be trained as adults?

Canine Helpers acquires most of our dogs as pups, as this allows us to mould them into the sort of dog we want them to be right from the very beginning. However, we do also take some adult dogs to fill gaps in our training program. These dogs can come from shelters, breeders or private owners. We have many successful graduates in our program who were obtained as adults, such as Dexter.

How do I get certified to take my dog visiting into nursing homes/hospitals?

Canine Helpers does not do therapy visitation services. You need to contact the Delta Society in your state.

I want to become an Assistance Dog trainer. Can I get a job with you?

Canine Helpers does not employ many paid staff, just like most Assistance Dog organisations, relying mostly on volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer, we can only take you on as a trainer if you are already quite experienced in the area. We are not able to train apprentices due to lack of time and resources.  If you are already an experienced dog trainer, please feel free to contact us about volunteering.  Otherwise, try contacting your local dog obedience club to volunteer as an instructor to get dog training experience. This is a great first step towards becoming a dog trainer.

Can I be a puppy raiser?

Anyone can apply to be a puppy raiser, provided you meet certain basic criteria. For more information, please go to the Puppy Raising FAQ page.

Who is eligible to apply? How do I go about doing so?

Any individual with a physical, intellectual or other disability is eligible to apply for the appropriate category of assistance dog.  Professionals working to provide physical or mental health care to clients are able to apply for facility dogs, as are care facilities for the elderly, disabled or other people in need. Anybody can apply for a retired working dog. To apply for any of Canine Helpers's dogs, please see the Applications page. Please bear in mind that assistance dog users are responsible for the proper care, feeding, housing and medical needs of the dog, both physically and financially. You must also complete a team training program and maintain the dog's training throughout life.

Can anyone become a member of Canine Helpers?

 Yes.  Some member benefits relate specifically to clients, but we welcome members from all backgrounds.  If you wish to become a member, please complete and return the membership form.

How can I help?

You can help train assistance dogs by making donations of money or goods, or remembering Canine Helpers in your will.  Please click on the Donate Now button on this page to make a secure online donation. Every cent counts!