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Service Dog Programs & Services for the Disabled - ECAD

CLIENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES

ECAD, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities provides specialized education for individuals with disabilities, preparing them and their dogs for certification as Service Dog Teams. The client’s goal is to become an ECAD certified Team. Upon acceptance as a student/client of ECAD, certain obligations must be met in order to maintain ECAD’s high standards, the client has the following responsibilities.

The client must:

  • Be respectful of others, including ECAD staff, volunteers, students, and other clients.
  • Provide accurate and complete information about current and past health issues, medications, allergies, sensitivities, and other matters pertaining to his/her health.
  • Honor the fundraising arrangement as agreed to with ECAD.
  • Attend all scheduled classes. Client is responsible for making up any missed class.
  • Come to class prepared and practice the exercises learned in class each day.
  • Use humane canine education methods and tools.
  • Ask questions if he/she does not understand material being presented in class.
  • Keep his/her dog in good health, groom him/her regularly, and be the primary caretaker of the dog.
  • Keep his/her dog on a leash at all times when out in public and at the facility during Team Training.
  • DO NOT take his/her dog into public places unless given permission to do so by ECAD and with a qualified ECAD staff member.
  • Understand that the community has a right to expect his/her dog to be under control at all times and to exhibit no intrusive behavior in public.
  • Understand that in order for his/her dog to wear an ECAD identification cape he/she must EARN the privilege.
  • Understand that whenever he/she is out in public with his/her dog, he/she is representing ECAD and must not deliberately reflect negatively on the program.
  • Know that when the opportunity presents itself he/she must assist in educating the community, in a non-confrontational manner, on the benefits a disabled person receives through the use of a Service Dog.
  • Assume, as the dog owner, the liability for any damage his/her dog might cause to people or premises.
  • Obey all ordinances pertaining to dogs in the city, county, and state in which he/she resides or visits.

CLIENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS

As a client of ECAD, you have the right to:

  • Be treated in a courteous and caring manner demonstrating respect of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, values, age, disability, and economic status.
  • Be charged an appropriate fee in exchange for our matching you with a Service Dog that meets your needs taking into account your living quarters, lifestyle, family atmosphere, daily routine and many other variables that ECAD deems necessary to consider in the placement of a Service Dog.
  • Have all your questions addressed in a timely manner.
  • Be kept informed of the status of your application and the decisions made when placing a Service Dog.
  • Sufficient information regarding our Team Training dates to allow you to participate meaningfully in the establishment of your Service Dog partnership.
  • Receive complete information regarding the matching of a Service Dog and how the process is completed within the ECADemy™ Program at ECAD.
  • An assurance that your personal privacy and confidential information will be respected and protected. ECAD does not release personal information without the client's verbal and/or written approval except upon court order as required by law.
  • Review all the records of the Service Dog with whom you are being teamed, including a copy of the dog’s health record up on graduation as a Service Dog Team.
  • Be given the opportunity to realize your full potential as a Service Dog Team through education in ECAD classes.
  • Receive advice on any behavioral or educational problems that may arise with your Service Dog .

 Accessibility & Accommodations

ECAD is committed to providing equal access to our programs. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process, interview, team training, or follow-up support, please let Client Care know as early as possible. We will work with you to understand your needs and identify appropriate supports. ECAD will make reasonable efforts to provide accommodations that support equal access; however, some requests may be limited by safety requirements, canine welfare, program standards, or facility and staffing capacity. When a requested accommodation is not feasible, we will work with the applicant to explore alternative options whenever possible.

Client Care: [email protected] | (860) 489-6550