Assistance Dogs in Training
Several Circle Tail dogs are in training to eventually
be partnered with people who primarily have mobility or hearing disabilities. Dogs of various ages, breeds, and backgrounds are evaluated and accepted into the assistance dog training program. Not all dogs have the personality to complete the program. Assistance dogs in training are schooled through increasing levels of education, until the time they are partnered. Inmate Canine Handlers and Foster Families provide invaluable training and socialization experiences that help the dog to become a working assistance dog.
Dogs advance through four general levels of training before they are partnered with a recipient:
- Elementary School: The dog has met the initial criteria for admittance into the assistance dog program. He/she is learning basic obedience commands and housetraining while being evaluated by Circle Tail trainers, inmate handlers, and foster families.
- Middle School: The dog is still showing the qualities that make a well-trained assistance dog. He/she is polishing basic training commands and is beginning to learn advanced assistance dog commands.
- High School: The dog has mastered his/her basic commands, has consistently shown the temperament that would make a good assistance dog, and has shown the desire and ability to learn advanced assistance dog commands. He/she has demonstrated appropriate behavior in public during outings with our foster families.
- College: The dog is almost there! He/she is passing obedience tests with flying colors. The dog shows a consistent desire to work and has well-tested basic and advanced obedience skills. The dog is placed in foster families where their skills are tested in everyday situations. The skills of the dog are observed and the type of work he/she would be best suited to perform is evaluated. Inmate handlers work to refine their skills leading to eventual partnership.
If you are interested in applying for a Circle Tail assistance dog, please review our About Assistance Dogs page and complete the pre-applicant questionnaire.
Circle Tail Dogs in Training
| ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | |
Chia Breed: Labrador Retriever mix Birth Date: 3/19/10 Entered Program: 5/10 Came to Circle Tail from: Clark County Humane Society Canine/Inmate Training: Foster Family: Chris & Alicia |
Kasem Breed: Labrador Retriever mix Birth Date: 3/19/10 Entered Program: 5/10 Came to Circle Tail from: Clark County Humane Society Canine/Inmate Training: London Correctional Facility Foster Family: Chris & Alicia |
Raitt Breed: Cairn Terrier Birth Date: 1/09 Entered Program: 5/10 Came to Circle Tail from: Clark County Humane Society Canine/Inmate Training: Ohio Reformatory for Women Foster Family: |
Toltec Breed: German Shepherd Dog Birth Date: 5/5/10 Entered Program: 7/10 Came to Circle Tail from: Clark County Humane Society Canine/Inmate Training: Foster Family: Marlys |
Berlin Breed: Labrador Retriever Donated by: Becky Scholl Birth Date: 1/10/10 Entered Program: 4/10 Came to Circle Tail from: Canine/Inmate Training: Ohio Reformatory for Women Foster Family: Emily |
Rollins Breed: Labrador Retriever Donated by: Becky Scholl Birth Date: 1/10/10 Entered Program: 4/10 Came to Circle Tail from: Canine/Inmate Training: London Correctional Facility Foster Family: Jackie, Phyllis & Chris |
| MIDDLE SCHOOL | |
 Bennett Breed: Golden Retriever/GSD mix Birth Date: 7/31/09 Entered Program: 9/09 Came to Circle Tail from: Mizzie Misko Canine/Inmate Training: Ohio Reformatory for Women Foster Family: Jerri & Jackie |
 Delphinus Breed: Lab Mix DOB: 9/9/09 Entered the Program: 12/09 Came to Circle Tail: Clark co. Shelter Canine/Inmate Training: Ohio Reformatory for Women Foster Family: Jerri |
| HIGH SCHOOL | |
| COLLEGE | |
Mario
Breed: Black Lab Birth Date: 12/27/08 Entered Program: 4/09 Came to Circle Tail from: Nancy Dodson Canine/Inmate Training: London Correctional and Ohio Reformatory for Women Foster Family: Jackie, Emily, Chris and Alicia |
 Sandra Breed: Yellow Lab Birth Date: 12/08 Entered Program: 6/09 Came to Circle Tail from: Stray Canine/Inmate Training: Ohio Reformatory for Women Foster Family: Ed, Chris and Alicia |
 Damaris Breed: Boston Terrier DOB: 11/08 Entered the Program: 11/09 Came to Circle Tail: Clark Co. Shelter Canine/Inmate Training: Ohio Reformatory for Women Foster Family: Beth |
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| IN HOME | |
 Jae Breed: Blk Lab DOB: 12/4/09 Entered the Program: 1/10 Came to Circle Tail from: Family release Canine/Inmate Training: Ohio Reformatory for Women Foster Family: Phyllis and Chris |
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