Career Change Application

We occasionally have older dogs, retiring from working life, that are returned for adoption, although commonly they are adopted by their handler or immediate family members. Our adoption contract states that Career Change dogs cannot be used as a working service dog with public access, although many of our dogs enjoy life as therapy dogs (visiting various places for the public to pet/interact with them through agencies such as St John’s Ambulance).

All dogs are spayed or neutered, vaccinations are updated, and you are provided their veterinary history from Dog Guides care. Once you are matched with a dog, there is a two-week trial period to ensure that the dog is a suitable fit with your family. During that trial period if for any reason you decide the dog is not a good fit for your home, the dog must be brought back to Dog Guides. A fee is charged for all dogs based on age, level of training and reason for release. Fees range from $1,000-$1,500, although fees for dogs with medical issues or retiring dogs are assessed case by case. This fee helps cover the many costs associated with the care, veterinary expenses and training of Dog Guides and helps us to continue our efforts to provide Dog Guides at no cost to people with disabilities. If you wish to be on our waiting list for a Career Change dog, please complete the attached application form. If you are inquiring about a specific dog, please state the dog’s name on the next page in the appropriate field. The waiting period varies depending on the number of dogs we are seeking homes for, suitability of dogs to applicants, and requested traits in a dog. Your application will be kept on file for one year. If you have not been contacted within that time and wish to extend the application further please contact us. Please be sure to update your application with us if your situation changes or you wish to be taken off the waiting list.

Thank you for your inquiry into our Career Change Program.

Sincerely,
Career Change Program Coordinator
152 Wilson Street
Oakville, ON L6K 0G6
(905) 842-2891 (800) 768-3030 Fax: (905) 842-3373
careerchange@dogguides.com

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Have you submitted an adoption application previously?

• Yes
• No

Is your current application accurate and up to date?

• Oui
• Non

What dog are you applying for?

Courriel *

When will you be ready to adopt?

Is there a certain dog you’re applying for:

Applicant Names: *

Address *

Adresse

Address Line 2

Ville

--- Sélectionner : state ---Colombie-BritanniqueOntarioQuébecAlbertaManitobaNouveau-BrunswickTerre-Neuve-et-LabradorNorthwest TerritoriesNouvelle-ÉcosseNunavutÎle-du-Prince-ÉdouardSaskatchewanYukonAlaskaAlabamaArkansasAmerican SamoaArizonaCalifornieColoradoConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaDelawareFlorideGéorgieGuamHawaïIowaIdahoIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianeMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiMontanaCaroline du NordDakota du NordNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNouveau-MexiqueNevadaNew YorkOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniePuerto RicoRhode IslandCaroline du SudDakota du SudTennesseeTexasUtahVirginieVirgin IslandsVermontWashingtonWisconsinVirginie-OccidentaleWyomingProvince / État

Code postal

--- Sélectionner : country ---CanadaÉtats-Unis d'AmériqueCampagne

Home Phone

Work/Cell Phone

Email *

Section 1: Home Life

 

What type of home do you live in?

• Detached home
• Detached home with acreage
• Apartment
• Condo
• Townhouse
• Other

If other, please explain.

Do you have a yard?

• Yes
• No

If yes please describe (size, fenced or not):

Do you own or rent your home?

• Rent
• Own

If you rent, do you have permission to have dogs at your home:

• YES
• No

Please list the adults living in the home (including yourself): Include Name, Age and Relationship to you.

Do you have any children living in the home? Include Name, Age and Relationship to you.

Do you have children visiting your home regularly (ie: grandchildren, friends with children)?

• Yes
• No

If yes, please list their ages:

Does any family member have allergies to animals?

• Yes
• No

If yes, please explain how you have dealt with animals in the home in the past:

What steps are you willing to take to make sure allergies won’t be a reason for the dog being returned:

Are there currently any other pets in the home?

• Yes
• No

If yes please list all pets & ages:

Type (dog, cat, small animal)

Activity level

Sex

Spayed/neutered

Date acquired

Type (dog, cat, small animal)

Activity level

Sex

Spayed/neutered

Date acquired

Type (dog, cat, small animal)

Activity level

Sex

Spayed/neutered

Date acquired

Type (dog, cat, small animal)

Activity level

Sex

Spayed/neutered

Date acquired

Section 2: Dog Experience

Have you had dogs in the past?

• Yes
• No

*If yes please detail:

Name & Breed

Date acquired

Activity level

How long they were with you

Outcome (old age, gave away, etc)

Name & Breed

Date acquired

Activity level

How long they were with you

Outcome (old age, gave away, etc)

Name & Breed

Date acquired

Activity level

How long they were with you

Outcome (old age, gave away, etc)

Name & Breed

Date acquired

Activity level

How long they were with you

Outcome (old age, gave away, etc)

If you have children in the home, what is their experience with dogs in the home?

If you haven’t had a dog in the home, do you have any experience caring for dogs in the past? (ie: dog walking, sitting, volunteering with animals):

Have you taken a dog to a dog training class before?

• Yes
• No

If yes, which company?

What techniques were used?

Dog Guides highly recommends taking a training course with your dog to help with bonding and refresh foundation behaviours – are you planning on attending dog training courses with your new dog? Why or why not?

How will you handle any behavioural issues that may develop?

Section 3: Dog qualities

What are you looking for in a dog?

What is a typical day of the life with your new dog look like to you?

Where will the dog stay when you are: At home with him/her?

• In a dog crate
• In a dog run outside
• Outside
• In the garage
• Room in the house
• In the basement
• Loose at home

Where will the dog stay when you are: Not at home with him/her?

• In a dog crate
• In a dog run outside
• Outside
• In the garage
• Room in the house
• In the basement
• Loose at home

How many hours a day will your dog be left alone?

What activities are you looking forward to with your dog?

• Hiking
• Swimming
• Long Walks
• Short Walks
• Dog Parks
• Cuddling
• Backyard play
• Couch time
• Dog Sports
• Other

If other, please list below

What does playtime with your new dog look like to you?

What groups of people will you expect your dog to interact with?

How do you plan to exercise your dog?

Where will your dog stay when you go on vacation?

Please describe the type of dog you would like to adopt: *Please note that specific requests may mean a longer waiting period until such a dog is available:

• Male or Female is fine
• Male only
• Female only (Note the wait for females is usually much longer)

Please describe the breed of dog you would like to adopt: *Please note that specific requests may mean a longer waiting period until such a dog is available: (copy)

• Labrador Retriever
• Standard Poodle
• Lab/Golden mix (Note the wait for Lab/Golden mixes can be much longer)
• No preference on breed

Is there a particular colour that is your sole interest? *Note: colour cannot be guaranteed and may result in a longer wait, we encourage applicants to be open minded about coat colour.

Do you have a size preference?

• Large (50lbs+)
• Medium (20-49lbs)
• No preference

Do you have an age preference?

• Any age
• Puppy (5 – 12 months) *Note: puppies that come available are more likely to have health conditions that results in them being released from training
• Adult (1-3 yrs old)
• Retired (8 years old+)

How much on average do you expect to spend a year on:

Dog Food

Toys/accessories

Vet bills (including flea/tick meds, accidents, illness)

If a dog is released from a Dog Guides training program due to health issues (ie: Environmental or Food Allergies, Special Dietary needs, exercise restrictions), are you prepared to accept the responsibilities associated with their condition?

• Yes
• No

References

If you’ve had pets in the past, please list a veterinary reference who we may contact, who knows or has known you and your animals.

Name of Clinic:

Name Veterinarian:

Phone:

*Please be sure to let your veterinarian know we will be calling them, and be sure to give them permission to speak with a Dog Guides Representative.

Please list a personal reference, whom we may contact who knows or has known you and your pets (if applicable).

Name:

Relationship:

Phone:

*Please inform your reference that we will be contacting them and please give them permission to speak with us.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

Submit