The application process for receiving a service dog is as follows:

1. Helping Paws must receive a written request for a Service Dog from the applicant before the application is sent.  This is as simple as writing a letter stating why you think a service dog would be useful to you.  Possible items to include would be:  a description of your disability, previous experience with dogs (if any), and tasks you think a service dog could assist you with.
   
   Mail To:
   Eileen Bohn, Director of Programs
   Applicant Program
   PO Box 634
   Hopkins, MN  55343-0634 
   
2. Helping Paws will then send you an application packet.
3. Complete application forms and submit with a $25 application fee.  The application fee is non-refundable.
4. Application is then reviewed after all forms (including references) are received.
5. Qualified applicants are scheduled for a personal interview. (We try to have a team of two people to come to your home for this interview. Please be patient as we are coordinating several volunteer’s schedules for this interview.)
6. References, both personal and medical, are checked.
7. After review by staff, applicant is notified as to whether your application is accepted.
8. Waiting period until pre-matching with dog can be done. The waiting period can vary from several months up to two years.
9. Applicant is then invited to come to our training center to work with potential matches of service dogs in training.  We call this "Meet the Dog" days.  This gives our staff a chance to see how you work with various dogs, and how various dogs work with you.
10. Applicant is then notified of their service dog match and the dates of Team Training are given.
11. Three week Team Training.
12. Graduation.
13. Follow up training and ADI Public Access Test completed.

This is a lengthy process and sometimes the waiting period for a dog can be as long as two to three years. This is due to the length of time necessary to raise and train a Helping Paws service dog along with the time it takes to evaluate applicants.  We feel it is essential to find just the right dog to be matched with you.

We know you are eager to hear from us and to get the process going.

We contact all applicants personally as soon as possible. Please feel free to call Eileen Bohn at (952) 988-9359, extension 10 if you have any questions. Thank you for your interest and patience.