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Can my current dog be trained as a Service Dog for Autism or other related condition(s)? 
  The short answer: POSSIBLY!  The SPECTRUM Service Dog begins as a  that has undergone evaluation for temperament, stability, eagerness to please/ drive, and ability to focus in challenging environments before entering into the training program specific to the handler's needs. **IF** your current dog meets the age, temperament, disposition, stability, and drive requirements required in order to perform this work as it relates to the handler, then we can structure a program to help guide you through the conditioning process towards achieving Service Dog status.  If your dog does not pass this evaluation, in most cases we're able to help assist you in the selection of a suitable candidate.

What does "Service Dog status" mean?  First, as plainly explained in the ADA/Revised 2010, there is **NO** United States Law establishing or requiring of certification, authorization, or validation by any second or third-party with regard to the suitability of the service dog team, nor does any such testing exist on a national level.  The responsibilities of the team are also plainly explained within the same document. 
  In contrast, **SPECTRUM Service Dogs'** definition of "Service Dog Status" applies to a Team - both dog and Handler - that has undergone a specific program of conditioning to develop the relevant skill sets to mitigate the effects of a disability/ disabilities specific to the handler; can articulate these skill sets as they apply to the Team; and can perform their duties and tasks in a safe manner while operating within the general public, while not creating unnecessary disruption.  Once a Team has achieved a point in their skills development that it is deemed they may be ready for service in public, they are presented with an opportunity to pass our Public Access Test (PAT).  During the PAT, the Team will openly exhibit these trained tasks referenced above, without help or instruction, and in a public setting.  Upon successful completion of the PAT, we deem the Team as suitable for Service Dog status, with a change in their designation from "In training" to "Service Dog Team".

What does "other related condition(s)" mean?  Conditions such as Anxiety Disorder, stability/ mobility disabilities, or limited motor skills, for example, often accompany Autism - and the by-products thereof are actually what we seek to mitigate with the employment of the Task Trained Autism Service Dog - but are not specific to the Autism Spectrum.

What breeds of dogs do you most commonly recommend/ use for TTASD?  Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Labradoodle, and Goldendoodle are top of the typical list.  It is not uncommon, however, that different breeds than those listed are utilized, or that a particular candidate may be of mixed breed origin.  As already stated, we are most concerned with a particular candidate's aptitude, attitude, and suitability for serving the handler.

Does SPECTRUM have it's own breeding program for TTASD Candidates?  Currently we do not.  We are, however, exploring setting up a breeding program in the future.  While this would provide us with greater options for candidate selection and pairing, this is not an endeavor to be entered into lightly.  We will update the website should we decide we are ready to move forward in this project.

What is the pricing for SPECTRUM Service Dog training? 
 
  Hourly Training - Rates begin at $85.00/hr.

  Training Packages - Consisting of ten (10) training sessions are currently offered at discount pricing of $650.00.

  SPECTRUM Service Dogs Team Development Program (TDP) - "TDP" pricing typically runs $8,500.00, depending on the particular requirements to be met, includes continuing education opportunities for the Team for the service life of the dog, and is eligible for our in-house financing.

  SPECTRUM Service Dogs Task-Trained Service Dog - $42,500.00, available on very limited basis, and structured primarily for those situations in which it may not be possible or practical for the Handler to participate in the entirety of the dog's training.  This covers the Service Dog being conditioned for the Task-Trained-Traits specific to the client's disability, as well as the skill sets necessary to achieve a PASS of the PAT (upon Handler's skills development), dog & Handler integration through participation in the Team Development Program, as applicable, continuing education opportunities for the service life of the dog, and is eligible for our in-house financing.

How can SPECTRUM cut both wait list times and pricing to a fraction of those commonly encountered?  The simple facts are, a quality service dog conditioned to mitigate various factors associated with Autism or related disabilities will entail a combined investment of time and money in the neighborhood of $40,000.000, with a time frame from one (1) to three (3) years.  While these have historically been the greatest hurdles faced by those interested in obtaining a service dog, we've set out to create a different avenue to address them through our Team Development Program (TDP).

  The SPECTRUM Team Development Program breaks down these hurdles by affording the client a greatly reduced monetary investment, offset by a greater commitment by the client in the furtherance of their Team's success.

  Drawing on nearly 30 years' history of training successful dog & handler teams, SPECTRUM programs have been developed to condition the dog through a curriculum based on positive, inducive-based training, problem solving, and decision making, centered around the three core essentials of communication, trust, and respect.  These programs are focused on "setting the bar", in that selection of the appropriate candidate is the first step of importance, followed by "holding the bar" - maintaining a high level of challenge, along with a high level of requirement of suitable progress through their respective program.  We will not accept "good enough", and will not expect you to.  To highlight this position, we only train a select number of dog teams at a time to ensure these standards are upheld.

  Our number one concern is the success of your Team.  For those able secure a position in one of our programs, we are involved alongside the client with every step of the dog's selection, training, development, and pairing/ implementation in the public arena.  This not only allows us to assure the dog's training is kept on pace, it serves to foster the growth of the positive working relationship between handler and dog.

  We are also an Autism family.  This means we are intimately aware that many Autism families operate on a very tight budget, as it may often be impossible to have two (2) parents working outside the home.  In addition, special schooling/ therapies, trips to the doctor(s), medications, specialized therapy devices, specific dietary needs - all of these quickly eat into an already short budget.  We get it. 

   The SPECTRUM Service Dog programs have been designed specifically to cultivate a very unique working relationship between dog and handler.  While resulting in successful Teams, the program structure creates and supports an opportunity to provide quality Task-Trained Autism Service Dogs to the Autism community at a much more attractive and achievable price point than historically associated with the acquisition of a service dog. 

Are there financial assistance options available?  Yes!  We do offer in-house financing for the SPECTRUM Service Dogs Team Development Program, as well as for the SPECTRUM Service Dogs Task-Trained Service Dog; a simple, interest-free arrangement tailored to the client's budget to further break down the training/ purchase expense.

Do you provide continuing education opportunities for dog & handler teams?  Absolutely!  We believe this to be paramount in importance to the continued growth and success of the Team.  Each SPECTRUM Service Dog Team has on-going opportunities to continue refinement of their team skills, build the dog and handler relationship, problem solve, or refresh skill sets.  Participants in the Team Development Program, including the purchase of a SPECTRUM TTSD,  are welcome to participate in on-going training for the service life of the dog at no additional charge to the handler (the exception being for additional, specialized training).