Maplewood Assistance Partners, Inc trains dogs to assist a individuals with a variety of disabilities.  Our goal is to produce working dog and handler teams with the skills and knowledge to face the day to day challenges that living with a disability presents.

The Application Process:

The application process lasts approximately 1-6 months, depending on how quickly you are able to get documentation and other necessary materials into us.  After which depending on the program the student is accepted into (Facility Trained or Owner Trained), the waiting period to be matched with a dog can be anywhere from 6 months to 3 years.

Our Program Offerings:

Those students in the Facility Trained Program will be matched with a dog fully trained to meet their needs.  Students then travel to the Foxboro, Massachusetts area to work intensively with MAP training staff for 2-4 weeks teaching the student how to effectively work with their highly trained canine partner in both the home and public environments.  Dogs that have passed through the Facility Trained Program have been evaluated at numerous times for temperamental stability and physical structure and are spayed/neutered.  This program is currently in the process of being revitalized over the 2010-2011 year, the waiting list for a dog in the Facility Trained Program is at minimum 2 years.

Students in the Owner Trained Program work with MAP staff in the procurement of an appropriate potential Service Dog Candidate, be that a puppy or older adult dog.  Once a potential match has been made, the dog then lives full time with the disabled handler and the handler and dog go through a series of group and private training classes to work on obedience skills, task training and public access skills as the dog moves through training.  At various times throughout the Owner Training Program dogs and handlers are evaluated on their abilities as a potential Service Dog Team as well as the dog's basic temperament and physical structure.  Please understand that having a dog be accepted into the Owner Trained Program is NOT a guarantee that the dog will pass final Service Dog Training and be a working Service Dog.  Generally the Owner Training Program takes, from the time of dog procurement, 1-2 years for successful completion.

All dogs in both the Facility Trained Program and Owner Trained Program must pass a final Public Access Test and Task Training Evaluation at the completion of their training with their disabled handler and must retake the Public Access Test yearly.

Students looking for Emotional Support Dogs go through the same formal application process that individuals looking for a Service Dog do.  Many of these individuals already have a dog they feel would be suitable but need some more basic skills and manners training so after receiving all paperwork, we then meet with the individual and evaluate their dog for proper temperament.  If the individual does not yet have an appropriate dog, we work one on one with the person to find the most suitable Emotional Support Dog for their situation and then work with them in group classes and private lessons to train the dog to the necessary level. 

Cost:

Maplewood Assistance Partners, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  We do extensive fundraising throughout the year, to provide the proper care and training for the dogs, but do expect our clients to fundraise on their own as well.  For students in our Facility Trained Program, the cost of a fully trained Service Dog and ensuing team training is $5,000.  For students in our Owner Trained Program, due to the fact that they are required to cover the upfront and on-going costs of obtaining and properly caring for a dog, the fee for the training of each dog is $3,000.  Cost for an Emotional Support Dog is calculated on a case by case bases depending on whether or not the individual already has a suitable dog or not and what training commitment is necessary.

The student is expected to cover entire costs of travel to and from Maplewood Assistance Partners, Inc. training locations, meals and other costs associated with training with their service dog partner.  Students are also responsible for transportation to and from training. 

Please also remember that you are expected to properly care for and feed your Service Dog for the next 8-10 years.  General veterinary care, premium quality dog food and other incidental care costs such as grooming are approximately $60-80 per month.

Summary of Persons with Disabilities Serviced:

MAP caters to a wide variety of persons with disabilities, but at this time we do not train or place in either of our programs dogs for the following needs: seizure alert or response, diabetic alert or response, dogs for children under the age of 17, dogs to respond aggressively or provide personal protection, dogs to assist with the management of children or adults who cannot make cognitive decisions on the proper care, safety or welfare of a dog.

We are open to working with persons with disabilities such as adults with autism spectrum disorders and other neurological disabilities, adults with psychiatric disabilities as well as adults with physical disabilities, vision and hearing loss.

Step 1:

Fill out an On-Line Application Form, print out and mail in the Downloadable Microsoft Word Application Form, or e-mail us for an Application Form.

Step 2:

We will review your Application Form, and contact you within 4-6 weeks with a more comprehensive Application Packet asking for personal references, documentation of your disability by health care providers, a personal statement, and short video of your home and work environments and skills.

Step 3:    

Once we have received all of the portions of your Application, we will then contact you to set up a personal interview.  The personal interview is done in your home, or on the telephone, and lasts approximately 60-120 minutes.  We only accept clients within the six New England states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Step 4:

We will review all pieces of your application compiled during the process and determine if you are accepted into either of our programs.  If we feel we can accommodate your needs, then you will be placed on a waiting list for future placement in our Facility Trained or Owner Trained Programs.

Please keep in mind that the application can be denied at any point during the application process.  Maplewood Assistance Partners, Inc. prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, pregnancy, sexual orientation, citizenship status, military service status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

12 Maple Ave

Foxboro, MA 02035

MAP@maplewooddog.com

"Partner is my hero and constant companion. I would not have the sense of security he gives me if it was not for the MAP program. I am able to get out and about with ease and confidence because of the training we received. My trainer was a joy to work with and has never-ending patience. You cannot put a price on what she and the program have given me." - Ann

"We are pleased with our daughter's MAP service dog, Independence and have recommended them to others. We couldn't have asked for a better dog and companion for our daughter and her training is exceptional."- Cheryl