Who we are
In early 2020, I brought home a “lab puppy” to add to my family. Quickly, I realized I needed a service dog and he fit the bill. I could not afford a program dog, even with insurance.
We spent the next two years struggling with training, access issues, and breed-related discrimination when asked.
Our mission is to provide affordable yet fair service dog training prices to help handlers achieve having a service dog without all of the trouble or hassle. Every person who needs a medical aide deserves a medical aide, and some conditions (such as POTS and other neurological issues) call for a dog for the safety of their handler.
We provide safe, reliable, certified training to pet dogs and service dogs.
Bingo
Bingo: my cardiac alert and response dog. He is the one that started it all. I started training him in late 2020 with a goal toward service work. I had been diagnosed with a general ‘tachycardia’ diagnosis while they searched to find out what, exactly, was debilitating me. As Bingo’s training came to completion, I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome; a condition many use a service dog for. The training process caused insane amounts of stress, especially because he is off-breed as a Border Collie/American Pit Bull Terrier mix. I could not afford a $40,000 program dog and I made it work with flying colors. After taking the many courses I have under my belt, I intend to help others who need service animals for an affordable price to avoid the stress.
Our Training Methods
At Star Assistance Dogs, we follow positive reinforcement centered techniques as service work can become grueling and unmotivating for a dog quickly. We teach using a system of games to make service work both fun for the dog and reliable for their handler. However, we may make minor adjustments based off of a handler’s safety needs or the dog itself.
We are not anti-tool; we simply try all options before using certain tools. You may request any training style and we will respect your boundaries.
If you are unable to physically handle a dog, we will typically recommend a board and train program; however we will implement any safety precautions as necessary if you cannot afford that option.
How is your dog assessed for service work?
Your dog will undergo a temperament test, either in-person or online. Once they pass, you will gain access to a plethora of service dog training offerings for all types of people.
