Service Fees
From our first initial point of contact to long term training and support. Paws For Assistance can provide a wide range of services including;
🦮 ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATIONS & REPORTS
🦮 ASSISTANCE DOG TRAINING & COACHING
🦮 PUBLIC ACCESS TEST (PAT)
🦮 ONGOING MAINTENANCE TRAINING
🦮 PUPPY TRAINING
🦮 GENERAL OBEDIENCE TRAINING
All of our training programs require an assessment to make sure you and your dog can benefit and succeed with us.
IF YOU ARE READY TO START TRAINING, Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button below to get started on your journey with Paws for Assistance.
ASSESsMENTS, CONSULTATIONS & reports
Our first point of contact, an initial assessment or consultation can help us determine if you are the right fit for our training program. We can also help write reports if required to submit for NDIS assessments.
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Initial Assessment:
This one off fee includes a 90 minute face-to-face dog assessment consultation with the owner. Consider it an interview for both trainer AND prospective handler.
This payment does not automatically ensure success of your ongoing training with PFA. Please respect the trainer’s decision during this process.
During a consultation, the trainer & prospective client will meet at either the client’s home or a local cafe. From there, discussions will centre around the best way forward to meeting the client’s assistance dog training goals. If the client has a dog, the trainer will observe how the client & dog interact and walk together. There may be some general training advice during this session.
The fee includes travel to your home in and around the Melbourne metro area or 30 minute drive from the Glenroy area. If you reside out of our catchment area, there may be an added travel fee.
$390
Report Writing & Documentation:
Please keep in mind, PFA is predominantly a dog-training service, not a report writing hub.
This fee includes assistance animal reports for financial assistance from various funding bodies such as NDIS. The NDIS Assistance Animal report template is completed alongside your current Occupational Therapist.
Depending on what type of report you require & how involved the report needs to be, will dictate the final fee.
For example: An NDIS Assistance Animal report may take between 1 to 4 hours including liaising with your allied health supports and or support coordinator.
DO NOT RELY ON NDIS funding your Assistance Dog for in-training or ongoing maintenance !
There is NO GUARANTEE you will be successful obtaining the funding you are after.
$190 p/hr
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This 45 - 55 minute online consultation is suitable for anyone who is currently without a dog but is considering obtaining an assistance dog in the near future. During the consultation, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your requirements and expectations for an assistance dog, and receive guidance on the selection of a suitable breed and temperament for your lifestyle and needs.
This consultation is an excellent starting point for anyone who is considering getting an assistance dog but needs guidance on where to begin. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or an experienced handler, this consultation can provide valuable insights and help you make informed decisions about the selection and training of your future assistance dog.
We recommend you make a dot point list of questions or concerns you have to ask the trainer during the consult. This will assist in making most of the consultation time allotment.
$160
ASSISTANCE DOG COACHING & Training
The face-to-face training sessions are typically conducted in a low distraction environment, such as the client’s home, a park, oval or when suitable, a public place such as a shopping centre or cafe.
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An assistance dog is a specifically trained dog that helps people with disabilities by doing tasks that improve their independence and quality of life.
The face-to-face training sessions are typically conducted at either the client’s home (where travel permits), a park, oval then when suitable, a public place such as a shopping centre or cafe. These initial sessions are designed to teach your dog basic obedience cues, as well as specialised tasks that are specific to your disability needs.
During the training sessions, the trainer will work with you and your dog to develop a training plan tailored to your individual needs and goals. These sessions are aimed at teaching you how to communicate with your dog and provide guidance on how to reinforce wanted behaviours and discourage unwanted behaviours.
As handler’s & their dogs come to PFA with different levels of dog training knowledge and past experiences, the trainer will tailor the program accordingly.
If a handler is too unwell for short periods to train their dog, a friend, family member or support worker may be able to attend the session with the dog for PFA to train directly. Filming the session is encouraged so the handler can continue the training in their own time between sessions. Ideally the primary handler will be present at the majority of the sessions.
We use ‘WhatsApp’ for video feedback & our business portal for communication & scheduling. If you are unable to use these platforms, you will require assistance in this area. It is imperative that you are able to remain in regular contact with PFA throughout the training process and beyond. We also have a private Facebook group for community support from other handlers and PFA.
PFA is unable to run a Public Access Test (PAT) without prior regular training sessions with the handler & dog. PFA works with Victorian based clients only.
BI-MONTHLY SESSIONS
You will be required to attend a minimum of x2 sessions per month of approximate 1.25 hrs each.
$ Please contact us directly to learn more about our monthly fee schedule.
paws4assistance@gmail.com
PFA is based in Glenroy, Victoria. 13km north of Melbourne city. Please be prepared to attend these public access locations for training:
PRESTON (Northland Shopping Centre)
MARIBYRNONG (Highpoint Shopping Centre)
AIRPORT WEST (Westfield)
OAK PARK (Oak Park Scout Hall)
MELBOURNE CITY (on occasion)
Public Access Test (PAT)
The Public Access Test (PAT) is considered the minimum standard an assistance dog in training should strive to achieve under the ‘Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009’
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Under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 09, (GHAD) you must be a client of Paws for Assistance (PFA) before undergoing a government approved Public Access Test (PAT).
PFA is unable to conduct a PAT without prior assessment and training for you and your dog.
The GHAD PAT is considered the minimum standard an assistance dog in training should strive to achieve.
Training is FOREVER!
Training to PAT standard can take anywhere between 3 months to 24 months.
Your trainer will conduct the PAT at a local shopping centre or similar. The PAT demonstrates that you and your dog have reached the minimum standard to access public places, vehicles, aircraft and have a solid understanding of dog training skills including hygiene & behaviour standards, the welfare needs of the dog, your access rights according to Australian law, demonstrate the dog performing x3 trained tasks to mitigate your disability and much much more.
$ Please contact us directly for information on our Post-PAT annual fee structure: paws4assistance@gmail.com
ONGOING MAINTENANCE TRAINING
The Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dog (GHAD) Public Access Test (PAT) is a state and federally recognised assistance animal 'license' so to speak. It is advisable to contact PFA no later than 2 months prior to your license expiring to renew your government approved handler ID card.
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Maintaining regular review training sessions is essential to uphold the standards of the Paws for Assistance (PFA) dog training program.
As a Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dog Act09 (GHAD) accredited assistance dog trainer, PFA is professionally obligated to check in with handlers and their working assistance dogs to review their progress as a team and provide guidance and support in regards to their assistance animal.
PFA arranges this with all handlers on a minimum 6 monthly ongoing basis until the next Public Access Test (PAT) is due as part of the commitment to ensuring that the assistance dog and handler are continuing to work effectively and safely together and in public spaces.
The GHAD PAT is a state and federally recognised assistance animal 'license'. It is advisable to contact PFA no later than 2 months prior to your ID card expiring.
If the client is unable to maintain the 6 monthly review sessions, the GHAD identity card will remain valid until the expiry date unless it is suspended, cancelled or surrendered earlier; however, PFA may decide to cease the contractual relationship.
puppy Training
Puppy training starts from the moment the puppy is born, but that part is usually out of your control so, “What can I start on”? I hear you say?
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Puppy Support Program
The Paws for Assistance multi-session puppy program stands out as an exceptional training initiative for prospective assistance dogs. The program's structured and comprehensive approach ensures that puppies undergo consistent and progressive training across multiple sessions, laying a strong foundation for their prospective future roles as assistance dogs. These sessions tailor instruction to enhance the specific skills and needs of both the puppy and the handler(s). The multi-session format facilitates a holistic learning experience, encompassing socialisation, obedience, and starting to look at task-specific training, all crucial components for a well-rounded assistance dog.
By providing ongoing guidance and support to both the puppies and their handlers, the Paws for Assistance program not only fosters a strong bond between them but also cultivates the confidence and reliability necessary for these dogs to excel in their vital roles of providing assistance and support to individuals with disabilities.
Includes:
4x Face to Face training sessions.
1x online video session
phone / email / Whatsapp support between sessions
Observation & Feedback on your training videos via Whatsapp.
PFA’s comprehensive Puppy Information Manual.
From the moment you bring your puppy home the foundations are being laid.
PFA can assist you with:
• House/toilet training
• Name recognition and recall
• Crate training
• Learning how to use reinforcements that are meaningful to your puppy
• Building a strong bond with puppy
• Socialisation through environmental exposure during the critical learning phase (6-16weeks old)
• Plus much much more.
There are a few minor variations on expectations for a prospective assistance dog puppy Vs a companion pet.
$ 980.00
GENERAL OBEDIENCE TRAINING
Creating a meaningful bond with your dog is the foundation of a strong and respectful relationship between you both
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Creating a meaningful bond with your dog is the foundation of a strong and respectful relationship between you both. Whether it’s general puppy training, loose leash walking or basic positions and tricks you’re after, PFA may be able to help. Dog training is important for raising a well-behaved pet. Dogs who are able to make good decisions in the face of adversity or exciting environments helps both the dog & the handler feel secure and confident.
Training may improve the dog's interaction with people and can decrease problems like barking or jumping. Overall, a good training plan greatly supports a dog's happiness and confidence in a human-centric world thus making them a more compatible companion for us.
PFA is not taking on animals that have aggressive or very severe behavioural issues. If your animal requires this type of behavioural modification training, we can refer you to other trainers that can address more complex behaviour modifications such as ‘aggression’ or reactive issues.
Fees may vary between:
$ 190 -$220 per 1.25 hour session.
how far will WE Travel?
Paws For Assistance is based in Glenroy, Victoria. 13km north of Melbourne city. We will travel to your home for initial assessment. Travel within 30 minutes drive of Glenroy is included in our initial consultancy fee. Travel outside of this zone may incur an additional cost to your consultation.
We will then require you to attend our preferred training locations for ongoing sessions:
PRESTON (Northland Shopping Centre)
MARIBYRNONG (Highpoint Shopping Centre)
AIPORT WEST (Westfield)
OAK PARK (JP Fawkner Reserve)
MELBOURNE CITY (0n occasion)
OR our own low distraction training space in GLENROY (limited availability)
Once you are accepted into the training program you will be able to book your training sessions via our business portal and view which training locations are available on certain days.