• Age Requirement: At the time of application, children must be at least 7 years old to be eligible for a Skilled Companion Dog and 12 years old for a Service Dog.
• Residency: Applicants must reside within the 13 counties served by The Ability Center: Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Williams, and Wood.
• Disability Eligibility: All applicants must provide documentation from a medical professional verifying a qualifying disability. Military PTSD applicants must submit an additional reference from a mental health professional.
• Interview Participation: Applicants must participate in a three-part evaluation including a virtual interview, an in-facility assessment, and a home visit before they will be considered for approval to receive an assistance dog.
• Applicants must be able to travel to our facility a minimum of two times during the interview and match process, annually after placement, and additionally as deemed necessary.
• Team Training Participation: Upon being matched with an assistance dog, applicants must attend a Team Training session in Sylvania, OH lasting two-weeks for service teams and one-week for Skilled Companion teams. During this time, recipients agree to cover one’s own expenses for transportation, lodging, meals, and attendant care.
• Long-Term Participation: A strong commitment is essential to the success of an assistance dog team. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient cognitive and physical ability to actively participate in the lifelong care and training of an assistance dog, and commit to continuing the training program that The Ability Center establishes for the team throughout the dog's working life.
• Financial Preparedness: Applicants must be financially prepared to cover the program tuition fee of $2,500 at the time of placement. Applicant must also understand the importance of financial preparedness as it relates to the ongoing costs of dog ownership, including food, supplies, routine veterinary care, and emergency expenses.
• Home Environment: Applicants must reside within a smoke-free home environment, and provide a safe, stable, and supportive setting that promotes the health and well-being of a dog.
• Exercise & Enrichment: Applicants must commit to providing daily exercise and enrichment activities to maintain the dog’s physical and mental well-being.
• Existing Pets: If there are other dogs in the household, they must:
• Be limited to no more than two (2) existing dogs before placement of an assistance dog would be permitted.
• Be over the age of one-year old.
• Be spayed/neutered (with exceptions for medical reasons).
• Have a temperament that allows for safe socialization with other dogs.
• Existing household dogs must attend a “Meet and Greet” at The Ability Center to assess compatibility with an assistance dog.
• Ongoing Communication: Applicants agree to notify The Ability Center of any changes that may affect these requirements after submitting an application.

To apply for a pet dog through our program, applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements. Please review the criteria below to determine whether a pet dog from The Ability Center is the right fit for your home.

Important Note: The dogs available for “Pet Adoption” have been released from our program due to an inability to meet the rigorous standards required for assistance work. While they make wonderful companions, they are not permitted to be trained or used as service dogs, therapy dogs, or for other working roles.

• Residency: Applicants must reside within the thirteen counties served by The Ability Center: Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Williams, and Wood.
• Financial Preparedness: Applicants must be financially prepared to cover the ongoing costs of dog ownership, including food, supplies, routine veterinary care, and emergency expenses. On average, this may cost up to $150–$200 per month.
• Home Environment: Applicants must provide a safe, stable, and supportive home environment that promotes the health and well-being of a dog.
• Exercise & Enrichment: Applicants must commit to providing daily exercise and enrichment activities to maintain the dog’s physical and mental well-being.
• Existing Pets: If there are other dogs in the household, they must:
• Be limited to no more than two (2) existing household dogs before placement of an assistance dog would be permitted.
• Be over the age of one-year old.
• Be spayed/neutered (with exceptions for medical reasons).
• Have a temperament that allows for safe socialization with other dogs.
• Existing household dogs must attend a “Meet and Greet” at The Ability Center to assess compatibility with the adoptable dog.
• Ongoing Communication: Notify The Ability Center immediately of any changes in household circumstances that may affect eligibility after submitting an application.

The Ability Center’s Agility Program pairs  trained dogs with individuals with disabilities, fostering confidence, coordination, and teamwork through agility training. While the program primarily serves participants with autism, it is open to individuals of all disabilities and ages, with a minimum age of 8 years old. 

To be eligible for participation, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Age Requirement: Participants must be at least 8 years old.
• Disability Eligibility: Open to individuals of all disabilities and ages who would benefit from agility training with a dog.
• Facility-Based Working Interview: Applicants must attend an in-facility working interview before being approved for the program.
• Weekly Class Commitment: Participants must attend weekly classes to ensure consistency in training and progress.
• Long-Term Participation: Due to program demand and a waitlist, a strong commitment to ongoing participation is essential. If accepted, participants are expected to attend regularly to ensure all students have the opportunity to benefit from the program.
• Goal-Oriented Participation: Applicants should have a personal goal they hope to achieve through participation in the program, such as improving skills in the areas of social, motor, executive functioning, etc.

Additional Recommended Considerations:

The following factors contribute to successful participation in the program:

• A support system (family, caregiver, or advocate) to assist with transportation and scheduling if needed.
• Ability to follow basic instructions and engage with the training process in a structured setting.
• Willingness to work in a group setting alongside other participants.
• Willingness to receive and apply feedback to improve skills and teamwork.
• An interest in working with dogs and engaging in their training and care.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, regardless of race, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin. 

Children must be at least 8 years old at the time of application to be eligible to participate in the Agility Program and parental/guardian support is required for children entering the program.

By filling out the following application request, you agree that you meet the requirements listed above.