Our Programs
At Wellness Wags Assistance Dogs, we are dedicated to transforming lives through our various service dog programs. We understand the profound impact that service dogs can have on individuals and families. Explore our programs below:
Program Trained Service Dogs
Autism Service Dogs
Supporting children between the ages of 3-10 years of age, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Our Autism Service Dogs Program is tailored to provide crucial support to families with children diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. These specially trained dogs are tasked trained to support the child’s safety, social interaction, help with sleep, and assistance with sensory sensitivities and emotional regulation. We understand the unique needs of our applicants, and our compassionate approach ensures that our service dogs make a meaningful difference.
Wait Time: Up to 3 years
We recognize that the demand for Autism Service Dogs is high, and the wait time can be up to three years. Rest assured, we are committed to providing the best possible match for each child, family, and dog, ensuring a strong bond and maximum benefit from our service dogs.
Mobility Service Dogs
Assisting individuals with limited mobility, including wheelchair users and those with other physical limitations.
Our Mobility Service Dogs Program is designed to support individuals with a physical disability, providing them with the assistance they need to regain independence. These dogs are trained to perform tasks such as retrieving dropped or named items, opening doors, carrying items, operating alert systems, barking for help, and providing comfort and companionship. Our program offers a lifeline to those seeking increased mobility and self-reliance.
Wait Time: Up to 3 years
We understand that waiting for a Mobility Service Dog can be challenging. Our commitment to thorough training and individualized matching ensures that the wait is worth it. We strive to provide the best possible support to each applicant by providing a dog who is best fit for their role by your side.
Facility dogs
Bringing Assistance to Facilities who provide support to vulnerable communities.
Our Facility Dogs Program focuses on partnering with organizations and institutions in Nova Scotia to introduce trained service dogs that bring comfort, support, and positive interactions to various environments. These dogs work for courthouses, child and youth advocacy centres, police services, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and other facilities, enhancing the well-being of those they serve.
Wait Time: Up to 3 years
We appreciate the patience of our partners as we work diligently to train and prepare Facility Dogs for their roles. The wait time for these invaluable additions to your facility is up to three years, but the impact they bring is immeasurable.
We do not currently provide program trained service dogs for:
PTSD or Psychiatric Disabilities (Psychiatric Service Dogs)
Hearing Loss (Hearing Service Dogs)
Vision Loss (Guide Dogs)
Epilepsy (Seizure Service Dogs)
Diabetes (Diabetes Alert Dogs)
Allergies (Allergen Detection Dogs)
At Wellness Wags Assistance Dogs, we recognize that the wait time for a service dog can be significant, but we are dedicated to providing the best possible support to our applicants. Our commitment to excellence and ethical practices ensures that every service dog we provide is well-prepared and capable of making a profound impact on the lives they touch.
If you are interested in any of our programs or would like to learn more about eligibility and the application process, please subscribe below to be notified when we open our waitlist. We are here to guide you through this life-changing journey. Together, we can create brighter futures, one wagging tail at a time.
Owner Trained Service Dogs
Your Dedication, Your Service Dog
Wellness Wags Assistance Dogs offers a program for individuals who are in a position to Owner Train their own service dog with help of a knowledgable trainer. Owner training takes a significant amount of work and dedication to train your own service dog, and the “wash” rate for owner training can be up to 90%, making it an exceptionally risky commitment of time and finances. It’s important to recognize that not all dogs are cut out for the job. Success often begins with applying for our program before acquiring a puppy, allowing us to assist with the dog selection process. Starting with the right genetics is not a guarantee for a successful service dog, but it is a crucial step in the right direction. Although a specific disability is not required, and tasks can be trained specifically for your needs, a diagnosis with a disability mitigated by the use of a service dog, a service dog prescription, and the support of 2 medical professionals are just a few of the eligibility requirements for our program.
Wait Time: Unknown: Various Factors (Dogs Age & Ability, Client’s skill and commitment)
Applications to open in late 2024/2025. Subscribe below to be notified. ** Candidacy for our owner train program is exceptionally rare **
Although there are never any guarantees, we only accept applicants who demonstrate an exceptional likelihood of success in our program. To ensure we are not wasting time and resources, we will not accept candidates that we are not able to fully support to success. If you do not qualify for Wellness Wags Owner Training Program, this does not automatically disqualify you from other organizations, it simply means that our organization cannot meet your needs at this time.