Find a Class

Canines love to learn, and their mission is to please YOU! Below are the current class options.

We look forward to working with you and your canine!

a service dog wearing eye protection and a vest that says service dog



  Service Dog Program


At 4 Paws 2 Freedom, our Service Dog Program is designed to transform lives.  4 Paws 2 Freedom does not train for seizure or scent work at this time.  Mobility-trained tasks will not be taught until the canine has clear OFA's at 2 years old. The task of bracing will not be taught.

 

Prerequisites to the program:

  • Canines are required to be 2 years old and under
  • Canines undergo a temperament evaluation to assess their drive to work and personality traits. This does not guarantee their success in becoming a service dog, but it gives us insight into their personality.
  • Applicant undergoes an interview with our staff


  • Duration: Our program typically takes 12-18 months to complete, depending on the team.
  • Classes:  1 to 1.5-hour classes weekly
  • Handler Skills: The training begins with approximately 4-5 weeks of handler skills. This phase encompasses Service Dog laws, ADA laws, training mechanics, nutrition, grooming, and even travel by air.
  • Three Levels of Training: After Handler Skills, teams progress through 3 levels of training, each with its own curriculum. At the end of each level, teams are evaluated against benchmarks and can earn the corresponding AKC title.
  • Homework and Feedback: Weekly Homework is assigned, and our trainers provide feedback to ensure continuous improvement. 
  • Public Access: Post the first training level, teams, with the support of trainers, start public access training. This crucial step assists them in navigating real-world environments with their service dogs. 
  • Graduation: Upon successfully completing all 3 levels, Service Dog teams receive a Certificate of Completion at our graduation ceremony
a police officer holding a puppy with the caption facility / peer support dogs

Facility/Peer Support Canines


This program trains canines to work in diverse environments to assist employees and their community to de-stress and connect. Currently, we have working canines in Fire Departments, Law Enforcement Agencies, City Halls, and Courthouses.


These canines work with an employee of the agency and have a Primary Handler that they go home with when they are off shift. The canines typically work the same hours as their handler. The canines are friendly and love people. They have extreme obedience skills to be appropriate with the many different people they will meet.


Facility & Peer Support Canines work for an Agency or organization and must be endorsed by that program. Individuals may not train their canine to be a Facility/Peer Support Canine without the approval of their employer.


What to Expect

Positive, Motivational Training!

a white puppy is sitting on the ground with a leash around its neck .

We use positive motivational techniques in all our teaching, for both people and canines. We reward success and concentrate on what talent each person and canine come in with and build on those strengths. 

Expect

More

a close up of a brown and white dog on a leash looking at the camera .

We believe that it takes learned skills on the part of both the canine and human to make long term progress in training. We teach our students the skills to help them continue to successfully train and maintain their canines skills after graduation

Small

Class Size

a dog wearing a vest that says ' rescue ' on it

 Class sizes range from 4 to 6 students. 

Our class size is designed to provide not only individual attention but also to ensure students feel safe and supported.