Application process
Please Note: you must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia to apply. Thank you.
Currently there is a two(2) year wait list for a service dog.
READ: Follow the steps on How to Apply. If you have any questions, contact us via phone or email.
EXCHANGE INFORMATION: Complete Part 1 of the application. We will then contact you to schedule an informal, preliminary interview with you, and answer any questions you may have. There is no fee for Part I.
PHONE INTERVIEW: After the preliminary interview, if we determine that a service dog may potentially be a suitable fit for you, we will send you Part 2 of the application either by email or traditional mail.
COMPLETE THE APPLICATION: Submit your portion of the application to Service Dogs of Virginia, P.O. Box 408 Charlottesville, VA 22902. Please include the $100, non-refundable application fee with Part 2 to SDV. You may also pay your application fee online at Application Fee. Please note there you have 3 months to complete your application. Demonstrate the ability to pay for the daily expenses of caring for a dog, including, but not limited to, food, vet care, heartworm medication, and replacement equipment. See estimate of expenses for more information. Submit the medical releases and medical history forms to your health care providers as well as the reference questionnaire to those providing references. They will send them to us at: Service Dogs of Virginia, PO Box 408 Charlottesville, VA 22902.
IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL INTERVIEW: SDV will review your application and when it is complete, we will schedule a in-person or virtual interview. The purpose of the interview is three-fold: to increase our knowledge about you, you will meet some of our dogs-in-training if interview is in-person, and you can ask questions about our programs. Please note, if you select a virtual interview, you may be asked to come to our facility to meet dogs-in-training before SDV makes a decision to place a dog with you. After the interview, SDV contacts your references and health care providers.
HOME/FACILITY VISIT: SDV conducts a home and/or workplace and/or facility visit.
SELECTION REVIEW: SDV will determine whether you would benefit from one of our service dogs and whether we think you will be successful with one of our dogs. We will notify you with the decision as to whether a Service Dog from our school is appropriate for you.
WAIT LIST: After you are approved for a service dog, you may be required to return to SDV to meet several potential dogs. If approved for a service dog and when a suitable dog has been identified, we will contact you regarding participation in transfer camp. Our two week transfer camp takes place in our Charlottesville, VA training center. Participants must pay for their own food and lodging during transfer camp.
We endeavor to provide the most “perfect” match of a dog with a client. The dog remains the property of SDV if Transfer Camp is not completed. For successful clients, ownership is granted after one year and successful passing of the re-certification test annually as long as the client has the dog. Candidates who are unable to complete the transfer camp and/or the public access test will not be placed with a dog.
It costs approximately $40,000 over a two-year period to raise, train, and place a successful service dog. Through the generous support of caring individuals, businesses, and foundations, Service Dogs of Virginia is able to provide service dogs to individuals without charging the full cost of raising and training a service dog.
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