Service Dog Program

Social Dog Program

Puppy Raiser Program

Volunteer Opportunities

Training

Assistance Dog Etiquette

Life of an Assistance Dog

Ways to Donate

Contact KSDS

Guide Dogs
These specially trained dogs provide mobility assistance for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to travel safely from one place to another. They do this by navigating sidewalks, alerting to stairs, crossing streets safely and avoiding obstacles including hanging ones. Guide dogs know left and right and are very helpful with object identification when asked to “find” a door, counter, elevator, escalator, sidewalk, chair, etc.

People receiving guide dogs will generally attend team training at the KSDS facility in Washington, Kansas for 24 days. 

Service Dogs
Service dogs are specially trained to provide assistance to people with physical disabilities, from individuals who use wheelchairs for mobility to those requiring a steady four-legged partner to balance them as they walk. Some of their skills include retrieving dropped or selected items, assisting in dressing and undressing, pulling wheelchairs, bracing for balance or transfers, turning lights on and off, and opening and closing doors including those on the refrigerator.

People who receive service dogs will generally attend team training at the KSDS facility in Washington, Kansas for 13 days. 

Social Dogs
Social dogs are specially trained to work with a professional in the field of education, counseling, medicine, rehabilitation, retirement and specialty agencies.  The dog must be calm, friendly and easily controlled by voice commands.  The dogs are trained on how to approach and behave with children, adults, elderly and people in wheelchairs or with other forms of mobility.  Social dogs will retrieve items, carry objects, tug doors and clothing and manipulate light switches and buttons.  When these dogs work in a school setting, they can model appropriate behavior, teach positive interaction, interrupt hyperactivity and perform many other tasks.  Dogs provide non-judgmental companionship, stimulation and physical affection to those persons not in an environment or situation that is able to meet those needs.

People who receive social dogs will generally attend team training at the KSDS facility in Washington, Kansas for 5 full days.

Some of our Distractions

We are proud to introduce you to two felines that are a critical part of distraction training. Morris and Tiger live in the Canine Housing Unit and assist in teaching puppies and dogs to respect cats and other animals. They are also Assistant Tour Guides for all tours going through the CHU.

Other distractions include some special kids. They play with balls, pretend to cry, act excited to see someone and much more. After all the work is done then they get to give the dogs some special attention that both the kids and dogs love. 

Other Assistance Dogs

KSDS, Inc. does not train dogs for seizure alert, seizure response or hearing alert.  If you are interested in finding an assistance dog in one of these areas, please contact Assistance Dogs International.

If you are interested in obtaining an assistance dog from KSDS, but are not sure if you qualify, please give us a call at 785-325-2256.