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Matching a Diabetic Alert Dog to the home perfectly suited to them is, in our opinion, the most critical part of the training process. Each dog is unique and each family is unique, and they have to become a team in order to work together successfully. As a small organization, typically MD Dogs receives 100 applications for every 1 available dog - below is our process to help match each dog to the perfect applicant. Because of the low volume of dogs we produce, we encourage applicants to continue searching for other organizations even after they apply in case they find a better fit or another dog is available sooner.
If you are interested in being considered for one of our dogs, go ahead and start this process by completing the (free) online course and the application! |
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The Process
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After your online course has been completed and your application has been submitted, within a few weeks we will email with the status of your application and your next steps.
If you are added to MD Dogs Waitlist, anytime a dog is available you will automatically be considered before other applicants. We will reach out to find out if you are still interested if the dog in particular might be a match for you. At any point you may remove yourself from the waitlist by sending us an email. The dogs we provide are very unique and not your typical "service dog" as we work with small, high drive dogs - we aren't the organization for everyone! But we are happy to help you find the right organization or potential next steps.
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Types of MD Dogs DADs
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Full public access
Our full Public Access DADs are the most extensively trained and are capable of handling most reasonable public environments. During their training they have flown on airplanes, attended large gatherings such as conferences, walked around chaotic situations like carnivals or fairs, and can handle frequent distractions of other dogs and people. These dogs are required to have an incredibly high level of confidence as well as exceptional level of obedience and impulse control.
A full public access DAD is suited for those who would like a DAD with them the majority of the day to alert in all environments, and children who would benefit from having a dog accompany them to school.
A full public access DAD is suited for those who would like a DAD with them the majority of the day to alert in all environments, and children who would benefit from having a dog accompany them to school.
started
Started DADs are dogs who have the potential to become a full public access DAD, but who haven't quite finished up their training yet. They have a great start and are capable of working in most public environments, but need additional exposure to new scenarios as well as continual, quality scent training. These dogs are placed around 8-14 months of age, so they aren't quite mature enough to be fully trained but are well on their way.
Started DADs are perfect for those who would like a full public access DAD, but who have training experience and are comfortable finishing up the training themselves.
Started DADs are perfect for those who would like a full public access DAD, but who have training experience and are comfortable finishing up the training themselves.
Limited public access
These dogs started working in public but decided that they don't have a desire to go in public every day with their handler and would prefer to only occasionally go out and about in certain scenarios. These dogs are not suited for full public access because their confidence might be a little lower or stamina might not be quite as high. Dogs who are placed as limited public access are unique and will be looking for matches specific to their needs. E.g. some of these dogs won't be suited for airplane travel, but could be suited for road trips. Others could handle airplanes but not chaotic environments like Disney World.
These dogs are best for those who would mostly like an in-home DAD, but who can travel with them when needed or attend specific, occasional events that the dog is prepared for during training at MD Dogs.
These dogs are best for those who would mostly like an in-home DAD, but who can travel with them when needed or attend specific, occasional events that the dog is prepared for during training at MD Dogs.
In-home only
In-home DADs are dogs who have decided that they'd prefer to essentially be a pet, who also alerts! These dogs have not received the extensive obedience training of any of the other types of DADs. They will know how to be generally mannered in the house, crate trained, walk nicely on a leash, and a few basics like sit and down. But their main job will just be to be a pet dog, and respond to out of range blood sugars. Sometimes dogs can become in-home DADs if they decide being in public isn't for them and is a little too overwhelming, they have quirks such as not being able to ignore dogs or people, or if they don't pass all the health testing requirements.
These dogs are perfect for those who don't want to have to manage a dog in public on day to day activities, aren't comfortable with the attention a dog in public brings, or just aren't as concerned about their blood sugars when out and about with other people around.
These dogs are perfect for those who don't want to have to manage a dog in public on day to day activities, aren't comfortable with the attention a dog in public brings, or just aren't as concerned about their blood sugars when out and about with other people around.
imprinted puppy
Occasionally MD Dogs has a litter of puppies who receive NSI - Neonatal Scent Imprinting - from the day they are born. These puppies are raised and developed with the goal of all becoming Diabetic Alert Dogs, and then matched with families looking to self-train their own Diabetic Alert Dogs. These puppies go to their homes at just a few months old, but have already had daily positive exposures to the odor of low blood sugar and most naturally respond to it within days of going home. To learn more about this program and upcoming litters, visit our tab above, "Imprinted Puppies"
The Cost
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Each of our dogs is acquired and trained with the goal of becoming a full public access DAD. But only a small percentage of dogs are capable of that task and we prioritize finding the job each dog will enjoy - some are better suited for less rigorous positions, but can still provide significant value as an Alert Dog. And some humans don't want a dog attached to their hip every time they leave the house, so we have a variety of levels of DADs available. Dogs that aren't required to meet the full Service Dog standards aren't in training as long, so they have fewer expenses. As a nonprofit, we pass along this discount directly to the recipient. Below is the cost structure for the different types of DADs we provide.
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Type of DAD |
Discount |
Total Fundraising Fee |
Full public access |
$0 |
$22,000 |
Started |
-$7,000 |
$15,000 |
Limited Public Access |
-$9,500 |
$12,500 |
In-Home Only |
-$12,000 |
$10,000 |
Imprinted Puppy |
-$17,500 |
$4,500 |
