mobility service dogs

Mobility Service Dogs

Canine Partners of the Rockies specializes in training dogs as mobility service dogs who assist people with mobility-limiting disabilities. The role of a mobility service dog is to provide independence and companionship that can be life changing. These specially trained dogs help by retrieving objects, opening and closing doors, turning light switches off and on and so much more.

Daily tasks considered simple by many present barriers to independence by those who experience mobility-limiting challenges. Picture what dropping a phone might mean to someone in a wheelchair, or opening a door and turning on the lights for those with limited use of their arms and hands. The role of a mobility service dog is to open up a world of possibilities that had not existed before, providing independence and companionship that is transformative.

Canine Partners of the Rockies Mobility Service Dogs are specifically bred to be Service Dogs. We work with each of our clients to identify their lifestyle and unique needs to best utilize the commands our mobility service dogs are trained to do. Some of the tasks Canine Partners Mobility Service Dogs can do are:

  • Retrieving objects (e.g., wallets, keys, phones, remote devices)
  • Opening doors, drawers
  • Turning on and off light switches
  • Pushing handicap and elevator buttons
  • Assisting with checkout process in stores
  • Assisting with dressing
  • Assisting with laundry

Canine Partners specializes in training mobility service dogs who assist individuals with medical conditions such as:

  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Amputations
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Mobility-impacting auto-immune diseases (e.g., Rheumatoid Arthritis)
  • And other mobility-limiting challenges

Though many of our mobility service dog clients may exhibit more than one medical condition to some degree, Canine Partners does not train mobility service dogs to support the following:

  • PTSD
  • Psychiatric disorders (including but not limited to anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder)
  • Hearing loss
  • Visual impairment
  • Autism
  • Disabilities requiring medical alert (including but not limited to seizures, diabetes, allergy, heart/blood pressure)
  • Disabilities requiring balance and support​

Canine Partners also does not train emotional support dogs or personal dogs to become Mobility Service Dogs.

Canine Partners supports its Colorado-based mobility service dog partnerships throughout the lifetime of the dog to ensure continued success. The following list of expectations we find is foundational for this success and must be well understood before an individual begins the process of applying for a mobility service dog.

  • Demonstrate that you would benefit from a mobility service dog and increase your level of independence.
  • Commit to major lifestyle changes necessary for partnering with a mobility service dog, including the time to properly bond.
  • Establish and maintain capability to manage an 50-100 lb. mobility service dog.
  • Establish and maintain the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a mobility service dog.
  • Establish and maintain a support system of family, friends and/or peers to help you with a mobility service dog daily (if needed), including during emergency situations.
  • Willingness to be continuously accompanied by a mobility service dog throughout daily activities at home and out in public.
  • Financial means and ability to provide for a mobility service dog’s care, including daily exercise, feeding, grooming, veterinary needs and emergency situations.
  • Safe and adequate space for daily exercise and elimination required by a mobility service dog.
  • A clean, organized and safe home environment.
  • Clear understanding that household members will respect the overall purpose of a mobility service dog partnership and honor all commands given to a mobility service dog by its partner.

All applicants must:

  • Live in Colorado and commit to living in Colorado for at least 3 years after partnering with a mobility service dog.
  • Be at least 18 years of age at time of placement, be 6 months out of high school, and demonstrate the responsibility necessary to independently handle and maintain obedience of a mobility Service Dog. Please be aware that we do not accept inquiries for individuals under the age of 16.
  • Have the ability to attend a two-week training with a new mobility service dog at Canine Partners’ facility in Aurora and public spaces nearby.
  • Stay engaged with Canine Partners following partnership with a mobility service dog, including periodic reporting and testing with your mobility service dog.
  • Not own or live with a dog under the age of 1 year old. Canine Partners reserves the right to accept or decline applicants based on the number of pets owned or living in the household.

All applicants have the right to be considered for a mobility service dog without regard to race, gender, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, life expectancy and any other category protected by federal law, Colorado state or local laws.

​Canine Partners of the Rockies has the right to terminate the application process and/or deny an application at any time.

facility dogs

Facility Dogs

A facility dog is specially trained to work in tandem with a professional who works with individuals with disabilities. They may provide support in one or more locations with their professional. The dog is trained to do specific, skilled tasks in a variety of different situations within the facility environment with multiple clients. Canine Partners currently has facility dog teams working in schools, counseling offices and hospitals.

Canine Partners of the Rockies Facility Dogs are specially trained to work in tandem with a professional who works within a visitation, education or healthcare setting. Facility dogs are trained to do specific, skilled tasks in a variety of different situations within a facility environment with multiple clients. Their trained skills can be utilized to:

  • Provide comfort
  • Assist in social interactions
  • Motivate towards responsibility
  • Promote participation
  • Enhance therapies
  • Provide anxiety relief

Types of locations Facility Dogs work in are:

  • Schools
  • Counseling Offices
  • Hospitals
  • Courthouses

Canine Partners supports its Colorado-based facility dog partnerships throughout the lifetime of the dog to ensure continued success. The following list of expectations we find is foundational for this success and must be well understood before an individual begins the process of applying for a facility dog.

  • Demonstrate that the clients and/or students you work with will benefit from a facility dog.
  • Commit to major lifestyle changes necessary for partnering with a facility dog, including the time to properly bond.
  • Establish and maintain capability to manage an 50-100 lb. facility dog.
  • Establish and maintain the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with facility dog.
  • Establish and maintain a support system of family, friends and/or peers to help you with your facility dog daily (if needed) including during emergency
  • situations.​
  • Financial means and ability to provide for a facility dog’s care, including daily exercise, feeding, grooming, veterinary needs and emergency situations.
  • Safe and adequate space for daily exercise and elimination required by a facility dog.
  • A clean, organized and safe home environment. · Clear understanding that co-workers and household members will respect the overall purpose of the facility dog partnership and honor all commands given to the facility dog by its partner.

All applicants must:

  • Live in Colorado and commit to living in Colorado for at least 3 years after partnering with facility dog.
  • Have the ability to attend a two-week training with a new facility dog at Canine Partners’ facility in Aurora and public spaces nearby.
  • Stay engaged with Canine Partners following partnership with facility dog, including periodic reporting and testing with your facility dog

All applicants have the right to be considered for a facility dog without regard to race, gender, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, life expectancy and any other category protected by federal law, Colorado state or local laws. Canine Partners of the Rockies has the right to terminate the application process and/or deny an application at any time.