501(c)3

No products in the cart.

We train free service dogs for people with physical disabilities other than blindness, focusing specifically on mobility assistance and hearing alert dogs. We also provide free dogs to veterans with PTSD.  We seek applicants who live within 4 hours driving time of Brewster, NY.

Each dog is uniquely trained to perform tasks to assist their matched recipient. Our service dogs will walk next to their person on a loose leash – no pulling or lunging,   and perform tasks as needed – assist their person in going up and down stairs, assist their person to restabilize their balance, retrieve a dropped item, fetch items, open drawers, doors , alert them to sounds and their environment, sweep an area, soothe them, stand in front to keep people away, etc.

If you require a hypoallergenic  diabetic, psychiatric, or seizure alert service dog, or an emotional support dog, please contact us at info@putnamservicedogs.org. We’ll recommend other sources for you to find your dog. 

 How long will you wait for a service dog from us? Unfortunately, the demand is very very strong, stronger than we can meet. Our resources – donations, great dogs, and volunteer puppy raisers, limit the number of service dogs we can train.

Who we match with one of our graduating dogs depends on the needs of the applicant, their home situation, and their ability to care for the dog.  When we introduce a graduating dog to a potential recipient, we look for immediate chemistry – the dog happily walking next to the person, matching their speed and gait, loose leash and checking in with them. A happy, loving dog will work harder for their person. Our graduating dog is the ultimate decision maker.

We train carefully selected, mixed breed pups from rescue groups as our service dogs. We train our service dogs an average of 2,000 hours, over 2 years.  If a dog shows us it’s not meant to be a service dog, we adopt it to someone with disabilities as an emotional support animal. Since the demand is huge for our release dogs also, we can’t meet that demand. After we do paper matches of potential adopters, the dog is the ultimate decision maker on who is its person and family.

 To apply for a service dog, please complete the following application. All required fields * must be completed for the form to submit.  

Please note that applying does not guarantee you will receive a service dog. 

Any misrepresentation(s) on the application will result in disqualification of the applicatio 

    Your Name and Address

    Salutation* :

    Are you a Veteran? YesNo

    Under 21 or incapable of competently caring for a dog?*YesNo If no, please add custodial parent or guardian contact info.

    Custodial Information

    Salutation :

    I approve all communications going to both me and my guardian.

    Additional Contact Information

    Would you like to add an additional contact? *YesNo If yes, please add below.

    Salutation*:

    About You

    Do you require a Hearing Alert Dog?*YesNo

    Do you require a Seizure Alert Dog?*YesNo

    Do you require a Hypoallergenic Dog?*YesNo
    (Please answer yes to this question only if you REQUIRE a hypoallergenic dog)

    Are your living arrangements conducive to caring for a Service Dog?*YesNo

    Explanation*:

    How will you exercise the dog?*

    Do you have a support system (family and/or friends) to assist with transitioning to life with our Service Dog and with the responsibilities of owning a dog?*YesNo

    Explanation*:

    A Service Dog will cost $1,500+/year to feed and provide vet care. Can you afford this? *YesNo

    Explanation *:

    Will the applicant (and Parent/Guardian/Caretaker if relevant) be able to attend a 5 day training session in Putnam County, NY? You will be responsible for room and board during this period with some assistance from us. *YesNo

    Explanation *:

    Your Personal Information

    Your Birth date*:

    Your Height*: ' " (Feet/Inches)

    Your Weight*:

    Marital Status*: SingleMarriedWidowed/WidowerDivorced

    Who else lives with you? (People and animals)*

    Note: Since another dog in the household will distract our Service Dog, we are only placing Service Dogs in homes that have no other dogs.

    Is anyone in your household allergic to, or afraid of dogs?* : YesNo

    If yes, please explain below:

    Type of Home you live in* : ApartmentHouseOther

    Fenced Yard?* : YesNo

    Type of Area you live in* : UrbanSuburbanRuralOther

    Explanation*:

    Type of Area you and your Service Dog will visit frequently* : UrbanSuburbanRuralOther

    Explanation*:

    List any Medical Condition(s)* :

    Please enter none if no conditions exist.

    Disabled?* : YesNo

    If Yes, How long have you been disabled?*

    How does your disability affect your life and current level of independence?*:

    List the type of activities you want your Service Dog to assist you with

    Retrieve and deliver dropped items?* : YesNo

    Fetch Items?* : YesNo

    Explanation*:

    Turn lights on and off?* : YesNo

    Assist you in dressing?* : YesNo

    Assist you in doing the laundry?* : YesNo

    Go for help in case of an emergency?* : YesNo

    Open doors?* : YesNo

    Open drawers?* : YesNo

    Press elevator buttons?* : YesNo

    Accompany you in crowded situations?* : YesNo

    Explanation*:

    What other activities were you hoping your Service Dog would perform?*

    Name of person completing this form and contact information (Phone and email)

    Salutation*: