Placement dogs are assistance dogs that are dogs trained by Wild Spirit Canines CIC and placed with a disabled individual. 

 

Step One

Enquire with us by emailing wildspiritcanines@gmail.com. You will be sent an application package that includes our policy, consultation form, virtual home check, medical recommendation forms etc. We encourage applicants to ask us any questions they may have. If the team have any questions about your application information, we will discuss this. 

 

Step Two

We will organise a placement dog consultation (£20 - Hour online call) to discuss the inital needs, tasks, personal situation and preferences to make a decision about which route would be most suitable or if we have a dog in training who the handler may be a suitable match for. We will then discuss with the handler doing a virtual meet with their prospective dog or searching for a specific dog under route 2 (see below). 

 

Disclaimer: 

 

We consider as many factors as possible, for example, the sensory feeling of a dogs coat, alongside all lifestyle factors. However, we cannot guarantee a match of a dog that fits ideal aesthetic preferences. We do not place dog breeds that have numerous health conditions they may be prone to, extremely high drive breeds or breeds that are low energy as these dogs do not have a significant working lifespan. 

 

Step Three

 

The handler will travel down to the property and the dogs familar surrounding areas to spend time with their dog. At this stage we will confirm the match and relevant documentation, we ask for payment in full at this stage. If an applicant plans on fundraising, we can support them with this before the matching process. We encourage handlers to visit throughout their dogs training for quality bonding time. Depending on starting age, training can take between 6-12 months, we train to the rate of the dogs ability. During this time, we will organise update and discussion calls to discuss specific aspects of training with the handler e.g. specific cues, task information, aiding in planning or access organisation. We open a document sharing platform to update the handler with photos and videos of the dog’s progress. 

 

Step Four

 

When the dog is approaching the standards of a public access test, we will book final stage handler training with the individual. Off duty handling usually occurs 4-5 months before the assistance dog goes home to their handler. Working (in non-pet friendly) handler training occurs as late in the dogs training as possible, this is to ensure that the dog will be confident and maintain behaviour with a new handler that is learning. Handler training on average, takes approximately 25 hours spaces across a period of time. The majority of the handler training occurs near Carmarthen to set the assistance dog up for success and to allow us to access shops that have an existing relationship with the organisation. 

 

Step Five

 

The handler takes home their fully trained dog. We have a requirement of 2 months of weekly support calls to support the handler and their dog during the settling in period. We provide comprehensive after care support through the list of services below. 

 

Critera for a placement dog:

We specialise in dual trained assistance dogs for young adults. Most commonly this is autism and another disabilities e.g. requiring a dual trained autism x mobility dog. The majority of our handlers attend higher education or workplaces. We do accept applicants outside this bracket on a case by case basis.

 

• Age 18 and upwards. 16+ is considered on a case by case basis.

• Handler has the ability to travel to Carmarthenshire for the majority of contact hours.

• Handler has a diagnosis of a disability that qualifies them as disabled under the Equality Act 2010. 

• Handler has a supportive network and a stable financial and living situation

• Handler is able to do the majority of care for their assistance dog and can confidently learn cues and handle a working dog

• Handler is cleared for all issues on the consultation form that may affect a future assistance dog e.g. having a fear reactive dog in the household. These situations are considered on a case by case basis. 

• Handler must have a regular need for an assistance dog, this is so the dogs are maintaining skills and being worked multiple times per week. Most of our handlers attend higher education or workplaces. 

 

Laura Wild and Noah Hemingway alongside the trustee board of ethics, has the right to decline an application in a situation where receiving an assistance dog is not in the best interest of the handler or dogs welfare. 

 

Route 1 - Dogs bred by the organisation and are raised by trainers alongside volunteers and puppy raisers. Similar to the owner trained route, these young dogs sit their intake assessments at one year or older and are matched at an average age of 15 months old. 

 

Route 2 - If a handler has a requirement for a specific dog that Wild Spirit Canines CIC do not have breeding lines for, we are able to outsource a dog for the prospective handler. For example, a handler requiring a giant breed, hypoallergic breed. 

 

Pricing: 

Part trained assistance dog - £5000 (For highly experienced owners or handlers only)

Fully trained assistance dog - £7000 

 

Prices for pre and post support:

 

One to One in person (40 minutes of free travel) - £45 per hour

Re-assessment costs - £30 per hour

Placement dog consultation - £20 per hour 

 

Group training for in training and fully trained dogs (organised on a demand basis) - Free for the working life of the assistance dog

Online training advice call for fully trained dogs (30 minutes) - Free for the working life of the assistance dog

Placement dog update or discussion call (30 minutes) - Free for the duration of the dogs training

Handler training for a placement dog - Free for the working life of the assistance dog

 

We do have the option in the case of significant skill regression to offer board and trains - Please see the ‘owner trained’ tab for information about this. 

 

Possible additional costs:

- Working gear (Vest, harness, lead, lead wraps) Average cost of this is £60

- Spay/neuter

- Additional veterinary costs e.g. vaccination

- Hip/Elbow scoring if required for mobility or guide tasks