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service dog training in Maine
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Welcome to Service Dog Training in Maine

By definition, a service dog is a specially trained animal that assists a person living with a disability and is trained specifically for that particular person’s unique disability characteristics.

In this guide, we’ll get into service dog training in Maine; options for having a dog trained to become a service dog, or how to find an organization in Maine or one that serves Maine that will provide a fully trained service dog to a person who needs one. Related article: Service Dog Laws in Maine: Complete Guide & FAQs.

There are several options, including owner-training, and using professional dog trainers or organizations. It is worth noting that the dog training industry is under -regulated, so doing proper homework is a must.

Be aware of scam websites online attempting to sell certifications. Real service dogs do not need to be registered or certified. Related Article: Legitimate Registration for Service Dogs – Fact Check.

service dog training in Maine
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Multipurpose Service Dog @_service_pawz

Real service dogs do not require documentation for public access rights

Question: Can a public accommodation ask for service dogs’ identification, such as tags, collars, and/or identification?

No! A PA shall not require documentation showing that the dog has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal. While some service animals may have such documents, they are not required in order for the animal to be covered by the MHRA (Maine Human Rights Act). It is a violation of the MHRA for a public accommodation to request or require documentation proving that an animal is a service animal.

Service Animals in Places of Public Accommodation – State of Maine
service dog training in Maine
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Kylie’s “Lucy on Duty” @lucytheservicesibe

Service Dog Training in Maine – Organizations in ME

Here are some dog training organizations that may be able to either provide a fully trained service dog or help service dog handlers train their own dogs. Let’s begin in no particular order.


Mission Working Dogs

  • Phone: (207) 713-0259
  • Address: 152 Moxie’s Place Oxford, ME 04270
  • Email: info@missionworkingdogs.org
  • Website: https://www.missionworkingdogs.org/
  • Types of dogs: Mobility assistance dogs and PTSD service dogs
  • Owner-trained Service Dogs will be considered provided the owner’s veterinarian and our veterinarian agree that the dog is a valid candidate for training

Maine Paws for Veterans

Our Service Dog Program matches homeless dogs with veterans living with post-traumatic stress. Most of the dogs we work with are hand-selected from shelters and rescue organizations and paired with their veterans. In the event that the veteran has their own canine companion, we are happy to evaluate them as potential service dogs.

Maine Paws for Veterans

Service Dog Strong

We pair rescue dogs with Survivors of sexual assault and military sexual trauma (MST) who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and facilitate the training to transform them into Service Dogs.

Service Dog Strong
  • Website: https://sdsmaine.org/
  • Address: 10 Stacy’s Way, Denmark, ME 04022
  • Email: sdstrongME@gmail.com
  • Phone: 207-653-6497
  • Facebook
  • Who is it for? People who have a diagnosis of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) or Sexual Assault-Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (SA-PTSD)
  • You will join other Survivors in a hands-on class to train your dog
  • The program requires a 20-week commitment. That includes 40 hours of professional group training and 250 hours of documented training completed away from class.
  • The program is free to qualified applicants, but a $500 deposit is required for dog adoption. Once you and the dog complete the program, the $500 is refunded to you.

Assistance Dogs International Facilities & Programs Serving Maine

Assistance Dogs International, Inc. (ADI) is a worldwide coalition of non-profit programs that train and place “Assistance Dogs” (service dogs). It was founded in 1986 by a group of seven small programs and has become the leading authority in the Assistance Dog industry.

Assistance Dogs International:

  • Facilitates the exchange of best practices, knowledge of industry trends, further education of its members and the public, and the opportunity to be involved in the development of the highest standards in the assistance dog industry
  • Offers support to new and existing assistance dog not-for-profit programs that wish to improve their quality of operations

The following is a list of Assistance Dogs International accredited organizations that serve Maine but are not located in Maine. Utilizing any of these programs may not be a viable option for all people, but may be useful for people who are able to travel to attend service dog training programs located outside of Maine.

America’s VetDogs – the Veteran’s K-9 Corps, Inc.

  • Location: 371 East Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787, USA
  • Type of dogs: Guide, Hearing, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Mobility, PTSD – Military, Seizures
  • Demographic served: Active-Military, Adults, Veterans
  • Phone: 866-282-8047
  • Email: info@VetDogs.org,  ConsumerServices@VetDogs.org
  • Website: VetDogs.org
  • Cost: All services are provided at no cost to clients — this includes your dog, transportation to and from the campus in Smithtown, New York, instructions, plus more

Assistance Canine Training Services (ACTS)

  • Location: PO Box 52, N. Conway, NH 03860, USA
  • Type of dogs: Service dogs
  • Types of disabilities: Mobility
  • Demographic served: Adults
  • Phone: 603-383-2073
  • Email: info@assistancecanine.org
  • Website: assistancecanine.org
  • Cost: Service Dog $7,500

Assistance Dogs of the West

  • Location: P.O. Box 31027, Santa Fe, NM 87594, USA
  • Type of dogs: Mobility Dogs, Seizure Response Dogs (within New Mexico) Autism Dogs, Medical Alert Dogs for Type I Diabetes (within New Mexico) Veteran PTSD Dogs, Social Therapy Dogs, Facility Dogs, Courthouse Facility Dogs, Crisis Response Canines
  • Types of disabilities: Autism, Diabetes, Mobility, PTSD – Military, Seizures
  • Demographic served: Adults, Children, First Responders, Veterans
  • Phone: (505) 986-9748
  • Email: info@assistancedogsofthewest.org
  • Website: assistancedogsofthewest.org
  • Cost: Autism/Mobility/Veteran PTSD: $7,500 in-state / $10,000 out-of-state
    ***ADW frequently has funding support for Veteran applicants***
    Diabetic Alert / Seizure Response: $15,000 (only within New Mexico)
    Psychiatric Support (civilian PTSD, anxiety, depression): $18,000 / $20,500 out-of-state, Facility, Courthouse, Crisis Response Dogs: $12,000

Bergin University of Canine Studies

  • Location: 10201 Old Redwood Hwy, Penngrove, CA 94951, USA
  • Type of dogs: Service
  • Types of disabilities: Mobility, PTSD – Military
  • Demographic served: Adults, Veterans
  • Phone: (707) 545 3647
  • Email: ServiceDogRequest@BerginU.edu
  • Website: berginu.edu
  • Cost: The fees associated with receiving a service dog are: a $2200 fee for the dog, and a $558 fee for the two-week training course (the dog and training course fees are waived for Veterans with service-related disabilities). Other expenses you may need to plan for include transportation, housing, food, and outings/field trip expenses while attending the training course.

Canine Companions

  • Location: 286 Middle Island Road, Medford, NY 11763, USA
  • Type of dogs: Hearing, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Autism, Mobility, Other Medical, PTSD – Military
  • Demographic served: Active-Military, Adults, Children, Veterans
  • Phone: (631) 561-0200
  • Email: info@canine.org
  • Website: www.canine.org
  • Cost: Canine Companions service dogs and all follow-up services are provided free of charge to the recipient. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from the regional training center, their meals during Team Training, and depending on the training center in your regional area, the cost of staying in a hotel. Once matched with a dog, graduates of the program are responsible for costs associated with the care of the assistance dog including food, grooming, and routine veterinary expenses.

Canine Partners For Life

  • Location: P.O. Box 170, Cochranville, PA 19330, USA
  • Type of dogs: Service dogs
  • Types of disabilities: Diabetes, Mobility, Other Medical, Seizures
  • Demographic served: Adults
  • Phone: (610) 869-4902
  • Email: info@k94life.org
  • Website: k94life.org
  • Cost:

Canine Support Teams

  • Location: 24480 Jenny Lane, Murrieta, CA 92562
  • Type of dogs: Service dogs
  • Types of disabilities: Autism, Mobility, PTSD – Military, Psychiatric, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Cystic Fibrosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Limited Mobility, and more
  • Demographic served: Adults, Veterans
  • Phone: (951) 301-3625
  • Email: cstmain@caninesupportteams.org
  • Website: https://caninesupportteams.org/
  • Cost: The placement fee is $9,500 and is to be paid in full before the first day of Team Training. The program requires travel to CST for twelve days of Team Training (travel, lodging, meals, and activities are the responsibility of the applicant). The applicant is also expected to return annually for recertification (recertification is $100/year). The recertification fee is waived for veterans.

Canines for Service, Inc.

  • Location: 221 Old Dairy Road, Unit #1, Wilmington, NC 28405, USA
  • Type of dogs: Service
  • Types of disabilities: Mobility, Other Medical, PTSD – Military
  • Demographic served: Veterans
  • Phone: (910) 362-8181
  • Email: information@caninesforservice.org
  • Website: caninesforservice.org
  • Cost: Canines for Service does not charge or require fundraising from the Veteran client for their service dog.

Dogs for Better Lives

  • Location: 10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, OR 97502, USA
  • Type of dogs: Hearing, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Autism
  • Demographic served: Adults, Children
  • Phone: (541) 826-9220
  • Email: info@dogsforbetterlives.org
  • Website: dogsforbetterlives.org
  • Cost: We help people without creating a financial burden for them. There are no application fees or good-faith deposits. Thanks to our outstanding donors, we are able to offer these amazing dogs at no cost to our clients. The average value of a Dogs for Better Lives Assistance Dog is $54,000.

Duo Dogs, Inc. (formerly Support Dogs, Inc.)

  • Location: 10955 Linpage Pl, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
  • Type of dogs: Hearing, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Mobility, PTSD – Military
  • Demographic served:
  • Phone: (314) 997-2325
  • Email: info@duodogs.org
  • Website: duodogs.org
  • Cost: Duo Dogs does not charge for an Assistance Dog. There is a $100 application fee, plus an equipment fee of approximately $400-$900, depending on the equipment needed. This is due when the client receives the dog.

ECAD, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities

  • Location: P.O. Box 831, Torrington CT 06790, USA
  • Type of dogs: Service
  • Types of disabilities: Autism, Mobility, PTSD – Military
  • Demographic served: Adults, Children, First Responders, Veterans
  • Phone: 860-489-6550
  • Email: lu@ecad1.org
  • Website: Learn More Now
  • Cost:

Freedom Service Dogs of America

  • Location: 7193 S. Dillon Ct. Englewood, CO 80112, USA
  • Type of dogs: Service
  • Types of disabilities: Autism, Mobility, PTSD – Military
  • Demographic served: People with physical disabilities, veterans with PTSD or traumatic brain injury, and children (5 years and older) and adults on the autism spectrum or with other neurocognitive disabilities
  • Phone: (303) 922-6231
  • Email: info@freedomservicedogs.org
  • Website: freedomservicedogs.org
  • Cost: Freedom Service Dogs of America does not charge a fee for their dogs, although there is a fee of $2,500 for professional therapy dogs. If you live out of state, all travel and lodging expenses will be your responsibility.

Good Dog! Service Canines

  • Location: 855 South Main Ave Ste K-162, Fallbrook, CA 92028
  • Type of dogs: Service dogs
  • Types of disabilities: Autism
  • Demographic served: Service dogs are specially trained for families of children* with autism, and related diagnoses, such as but not limited to Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Apraxia, and ADHD
  • Phone: 760-913-9090
  • Email: info@gooddogautism.org
  • Website: https://www.gooddogservicecanines.org/
  • Cost: It costs an average of $32,000 to raise, care for, and train each dog and provide education and support for each family throughout their service dog’s life. Recipients are responsible for covering a minimum of $16,000 towards their program cost. For those who can’t pay or raise the entire $32,000, Good Dog! is happy to help fundraise the remaining amount through the Good Dog! Families Scholarship Fund.

Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.

  • Location: 371 East Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787, USA
  • Type of dogs: Service dogs, guide dogs
  • Types of disabilities: Mobility
  • Demographic served: Adults
  • Phone: (631) 930-9000
  • Email: info@guidedog.org
  • Website: guidedog.org
  • Cost: Guide dogs are provided free of charge.  This includes training, transportation to and from the school, room and board during the two-week training program, as well as aftercare services.  Home-based, combination home and residential, and small group training is offered to qualified applicants.

Guide Dogs for the Blind

  • Location: 350 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, California 94903, USA
  • Type of dogs: Guide dogs
  • Types of disabilities:
  • Demographic served: Adults
  • Phone: 800-2954050
  • Email: information@guidedogs.com
  • Website: guidedogs.com

Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines

  • Location: 13445 Glenoaks Blvd, Sylmar, CA 91342, USA
  • Type of dogs: Guide, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Autism, PTSD – Military
  • Demographic served: Children, Veterans
  • Phone: (818) 362 5834
  • Email: mail@guidedogsofamerica.org
  • Website: guidedogsofamerica.org

Guide Dogs of Texas

International Hearing Dog, Inc.

K9’s 4 Mobility, Inc

  • Location: 11805 Campstool Rd, Cheyenne, WY 82007, USA
  • Type of dogs: Guide, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Mobility
  • Demographic served: Adults
  • *Will consider working with an owner and their personal dog.
  • Phone: 307-222-9597
  • Email: info@k9s4mobility.org
  • Website: k9s4mobility.org

K9s For Warriors

  • Location: 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra, Florida 32081, USA
  • Type of dogs: Service
  • Types of disabilities: PTSD – Military
  • Demographic served: Veterans
  • Phone: 904-686-1956
  • Email: info@k9sforwarriors.org
  • Website: k9sforwarriors.org

KSDS Assistance Dogs, Inc.

  • Location: 120 West 7th Street, Washington, KS 66968, USA
  • Type of dogs: Guide, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Mobility
  • Demographic served: Adults, Children, Veterans
  • Phone: (785) 325-2256
  • Email: ksds@ksds.org
  • Website: ksds.org

Leader Dogs for the Blind

Little Angels Service Dogs

  • Location: PO Box 219, Jamul, CA 91935, USA
  • Type of dogs: Hearing, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Autism, Diabetes, Mobility, Other Medical, PTSD – Military, Psychiatric, Seizures
  • Demographic served: Adults, Children, First Responders, Veterans
  • Phone: 1-800-528-9550
  • Email: info@littleangelssd.org
  • Website: http://www.littleangelsservicedogs.org/

Mutts With A Mission

  • Location: 2700 Shirley Landing Drive Virginia Beach, Virginia 23457
  • Type of dogs: Service
  • Types of disabilities: Mobility, Other Medical, PTSD – Military, Psychiatric, Seizures
  • Demographic served: Active-Military, First Responders, Veterans
  • *Will consider working with an owner and their personal dog.
  • Phone: 757-465-1033
  • Email: info@muttswithamission.org
  • Website: muttswithamission.org

NEADS World Class Service Dogs

  • Location: 305 Redemption Rock Trail South, Princeton, MA 01541, USA
  • Type of dogs: Hearing, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Autism, PTSD – Military
  • Demographic served: Active-Military, Adults, Children, Veterans
  • Phone: (978) 422-9064 V/TDD
  • Email: info@neads.org
  • Website: neads.org

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs

  • Location: 254 Ranch Trail, Rockwall, TX 75032, USA
  • Type of dogs: Service
  • Types of disabilities: Mobility, PTSD – Military
  • Demographic served: Active-Military, First Responders, Veterans
  • Phone: (972) 772-3282
  • Email: office@patriotpaws.org
  • Website: patriotpaws.org

Paws With A Cause

  • Location: 4646 South Division Wayland, MI 49348, USA
  • Type of dogs: Hearing, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Autism, Mobility, Other Medical, Seizures
  • Demographic served: Adults, Children, Veterans
  • Phone: (616) 877-7297
  • Email: paws@pawswithacause.org
  • Website: pawswithacause.org

paws4people

  • Location: 1121C-324 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington NC 28405, USA
  • Type of dogs: Hearing, Service
  • Types of disabilities: Autism, Dementia, Diabetes, Mobility, Other Medical, PTSD – Civilian, PTSD – Military, Psychiatric, Seizures
  • Demographic served: Adults, Children, First Responders, Veterans
  • Phone: 910-632-0615
  • Email: info@paws4people.org
  • Website: paws4people.org
  • Pilot Dogs
  • Power Paws Assistance Dogs
  • Puppies Behind Bars
  • Retrieving Freedom, Inc.
  • Service Dogs for America (Great Plains Assistance Dogs Foundation)
  • Southeastern Guide Dogs
  • The Seeing Eye, Inc.
  • Warrior Canine Connection, Inc.
Sam Nelson
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Sam is an experienced writer, advocate for people with disabilities and mental health, dog lover, artist, philosopher, and generally complicated human being.

Service Dog Training in Maine

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