About Assistance Dogs of the West

What they offer

Assistance Dogs of the West is a non-profit in Santa Fe that raises and trains assistance dogs and matches them with clients who need support with mobility impairments, developmental disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders and other conditions. It also places facility dogs in criminal justice settings and runs crisis response canines.

Owner self-training

People who already have a dog can apply to an Owner/Self-Training assistance dog course. Dogs should be under 3 years old and must pass a temperament assessment, and the program needs weekly in-person sessions in Santa Fe for at least six months. The site says it cannot guarantee that every dog will reach service dog standards.

Students

The organization also runs student trainer programs. Office hours are Monday to Friday.