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Welcome to the Client Readiness Questionnaire:

Please start by watching the video below
The purpose of this questionnaire is to help you determine the best approach to prepare you to apply for our client certification program. This assessment looks at important information about your experience, support network, and your dog's suitability for possible service work. Please answer honestly to ensure we can provide the right resources for your journey.

The questionnaire is broken up into two sections. The first goes over criteria related to the person, and the second goes over criteria related to the dog. Please give yourself ample time to go through the videos and questions. You are welcome to pause and come back to the questionnaire at a later time. Just click the "save my progress" button at the top of the page.

Note: If you answer a question that brings up concerns about readiness for Atlas' program or your dog's suitability for service work, resources will be provided before moving on to the next question.

All resources provided throughout the questionnaire will also be referenced at the end. Feel free to click on resources as they pop up, or wait until the end of the questionnaire.

Section 1: Handler Readiness & Commitment

Section 01 Overview:

Please start this section by watching the video below
In this section, we are going to focus on seeing if Atlas' Client Certification program may be a good fit for you.

(7 Questions)

Question 1


Not Eligible for Atlas
Under the Americans with Disabilities act, a service dog is trained to perform at least one task that directly mitigates their handler's disability.

To be accepted into our program, you must have a disability (as defined by the ADA). This means you have a physical or mental health condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

As a part of the application process, we will ask for a medical or mental health report from from your medical or mental health provider. We highly encourage you to make your key health care professionals aware of your service dog training goals.

Question 2


To Consider
If the answer to your question is Minimal or None, we may suggest first taking our 'Team Set In Motion' online program. This will help you build a better foundation between you and your dog as well as teach you the fundamentals behind positive reinforcement dog training.

Question 3

The use of aversive tools or methods is not permitted under any circumstance by clients in our program, even when the dog is not "working". This is a core value of ours. If you currently use tools or methods not allowed by Atlas, we are happy to talk to you about how you could transition away from them. 

Tools/methods not allowed include: E-collars, vibration, prong, choke collars, chain martingales, slip leads, force, intimidation, hitting, yelling, physical punishment, leash corrections.

Please be aware that to be accepted into our program, your dog must have already been off of these tools for at least three months. 

See our Trainer Policies for full description of the tools we do not allow.

Not Eligible for Atlas
We understand that people use different tools for different reasons. Unfortunately, this is an area we cannot make exceptions. To be accepted into our program, your dog must be off any of the above mentioned tools and you must commit to the use of force free training.

If you would like to start learning more, please consider our Teams Set in Motion online course.

Question 4

Being a part of the Client Program is a huge time commitment. This includes in-person sessions with a facilitator as well as spending regular time training your dog between sessions. The average amount of time to complete our program is nine months, some client/dog teams may need more time.

May Not be Eligible for Atlas
If you are unable, or unwilling to commit to meeting with your Team Facilitator for lessons twice a month, we will not be able to accept you into the program. We of course understand that emergencies or vacations come up and we have options for these situations. But in general, you must be able to commit to the training and timeframe.

Question 5

Before joining our program, we ask that transportation to and from training sessions with facilitators be understood. Click here and scroll to "Where We Serve" to see the closest team facilitator to your location and better understand travel commitments. Most training happens in public locations (stores, restaurants, public transport, parks etc.) in the areas/cities we serve. If you live more than an hour away from one of these locations, please think through the logistics of traveling there twice a month.

Consider Carefully
If you do not currently have a consistent way to transport yourself to various training environments, please consider if this is the right program for you right now.

Question 6


Consider Carefully
Having a support system is very crucial for success in our program. We know what it takes for our clients to successfully complete training and it all starts with the support network that each of our clients have. Please make sure to have a support network of one or more people who can help care for your dog in case of emergencies. Atlas requires one emergency contact as well when filling out the official client application.

Question 7


Consider Carefully
The cost of training service dog is a very important factor to consider before making a commitment to become a client in our program. This includes the cost of veterinary care, food, toys, travel, client program payments, and other expected costs of owning a dog. If cost is something that is a concern to you, Atlas does help provide financial aid to help offset the cost of the program to WA Veteran Clients, BIPOC Clients, as well as general financial aid. For more information click here.

Section 2: Dog Suitability & Temperament

This next section aims to help you think through if your dog is ready for Atlas' program and/or if they are a good candidate for service work. Please think through the questions carefully and watch the provided videos. These are meant to help you in your training journey.

All resources mentioned along the way will be linked again at the end of the questionnaire.

(16 Questions)

Question 1


Not a fit for Atlas
If your answer to this questions is 'no', we ask that you not continue. We do not provide fully trained service dogs. We work with people who already have a dog and help them train their dog to become a service dog. If you are looking to choose a service dog to train, we recommend taking our "Service Dog Selection" course to better help finding and selecting a dog that has a better chance of becoming a service dog or working with an Atlas Certified Trainer who can help you select a candidate. If you are in need of an already trained service dog, please visit Assistance Dogs International's directory to learn more.

Question 2


Not Ready for Atlas
We require all candidates for our client program to have passed their Canine Good Citizen test within the past 12 months. That means by the time you apply to the client application, the dog has to have passed the CGC test within 12 months. If your dog has passed their CGC over 12 months ago, we ask that you go through it again. This is because behavior and skills can change over time. To learn more about CGC test click here.

Question 3


Not Ready for Atlas
We require all dogs to be 14 months or older to be considered as a candidate for our client program. If your dog is not 14 months or older and are trying to set up your dog to be the best candidate for service work, we recommend our 'Teams Set in Motion' course, or to work with an Atlas Certified Trainer.

Question 4


Not a Candidate for Atlas
We require dogs to be younger than 8 years old to be considered as a candidate for our client program. Please be aware that most service dogs do retire between the ages of 8 and 10. If you are current service dog is older than 8, be on the look out for changes in health or behavior that could be indicative that they are needing to step back from public access. If you are looking for next best steps in obtaining a new service dog prospect, our Service Dog Selection course may be valuable for you. If you are looking for continued training support for your current dog, we recommend working with an Atlas Certified Trainer or KPA-Certified Trainer.

Question 5

During our client application we require completion of our veterinary health form from your veterinarian along with up to date vaccination records. We want to make sure that all dogs who are a part of our program are suitable for service work without worsening health conditions or having the dog experience pain during training or outings.

May Not Be Eligible for Atlas
If your dog has chronic health concerns, we may determine that our program is not the right fit for them. Based on the information from your submitted veterinarian health form, Atlas' veterinarian's input, and any other information we gather, we will make a determination about whether or not we feel training in our program is safe and ethical for your dog.

Question 6


Dog aggression is defined as any threatening or harmful behavior directed by a dog toward another animal or human, encompassing a spectrum from warning signs to physical attacks. It is primarily a method of communicating fear, pain, discomfort, or a need to protect resources/territory. Behaviors range from rigid body language and growling to snapping, lunging, and biting. -American Kennel Club
Not a Candidate for Atlas
Dogs who display aggression are not a fit for Atlas' program and may not be suitable candidates for service work. Our program focuses on advanced task training, and public access work, where your dog will be in unpredictable public environments with other people, and dogs, and where pet dogs are typically not allowed. We will not accept a dog in our program with a bite history. Atlas does not provide behavior modification work. If you have concerns about your dog's aggression, we recommend speaking to an Atlas Certified Trainer or a KPA Certified Trainer who specializes in behavior modification.

Question 7

Dog Reactivity

Please watch the video below and use it as a reference to answer the questions on this page


Not a Candidate for Atlas
Dogs who struggle with reactivity are not a good fit for Atlas' program and may not be suitable for public access work.
Our program focuses on advanced task training, and public access work, where your dog will be in unpredictable public environments with other people, and dogs, and where pet dogs are typically not allowed.
 Even if you are able to manage your dog's reactivity fairly well to a point where your dog rarely has a reaction thanks to your management skills, we encourage you to think about the additional stress that that may cause you. We do not want our service dog handlers to be on high alert and scanning their environment or avoiding places to ensure their dog doesn't have a reaction. We highly encourage you to help your dog work through their reactivity before continuing to pursue service dog and public access training. Our program does not provide behavioral modification training. If you have concerns about your dog's reactivity, we recommend speaking to an Atlas Certified Trainer or a KPA Certified Trainer.

May Not be Ready for Atlas
Dogs who struggle with reactivity are not a good fit for Atlas' program and may not be suitable for public access work.
Our program focuses on advanced task training, and public access work, where your dog will be in unpredictable public environments with other people, and dogs, and where pet dogs are typically not allowed.
 Even if you are able to manage your dog's reactivity fairly well to a point where your dog rarely has a reaction thanks to your management skills, we encourage you to think about the additional stress that that may cause you. We do not want our service dog handlers to be on high alert and scanning their environment or avoiding places to ensure their dog doesn't have a reaction. We highly encourage you to help your dog work through their reactivity before continuing to pursue service dog and public access training. Our program does not provide behavioral modification training. If you have concerns about your dog's reactivity, we recommend speaking to an Atlas Certified Trainer or a KPA Certified Trainer.

Question 8

Resource Guarding

Please watch the following video to help answer the question on this page

Not a Candidate for Atlas
Dogs who struggle with resource guarding are not eligible for Atlas' program and will not pass our entry assessment. 

Our program focuses on advanced task training, and public access work, where your dog will be in unpredictable public environments with other people, and dogs. Resource guarding behavior can pose a safety risk to the public and other animals. A dog who resource guards food, people, or possessions is not ready for public access work. 

If you have concerns about your dog's resource guarding, we recommend speaking to an Atlas Certified Trainer or a KPA Certified Trainer

Question 9

Separation Anxiety

Please watch the following video to help answer the question on this page

May Not be Ready for Atlas
Dogs with significant separation anxiety may not be ready for Atlas. During our initial assessment, we will test this by having you hand over your dog's leash to our assessor. The assessor will walk approximately 20 ft away with your dog.

There may be times in your dog's working life, when they need to be briefly separated from you, such as a medical emergency where paramedics are called. And while service dogs often accompany their handlers everywhere, we want to ensure they feel comfortable and safe if left home alone. They deserve days off and breaks too. 

If you have concerns about your dog's separation anxiety, we recommend speaking to an Atlas Certified Trainer or a KPA Certified Trainer

Question 10

Noise Recovery

Please watch the following video to help answer the question on this page

May Not Suitable for Service Work
Dogs who struggle around loud and/or sudden noises may not be suitable for public access work. Service dogs are expected to go in many different environments where they could encounter loud, unexpected, or strange sounds. We want to ensure your dog is happy, comfortable, and able to work in the settings they will be going with you. If you have concerns about your dog's response to loud noises, we recommend speaking to an Atlas Certified Trainer or a KPA Certified Trainer

Question 11

Stranger Approaching

Please watch the following video to help answer the question on this page

May Not Be Ready for Atlas
To pass Atlas' entry assessment, dogs must be able to remain calm, show no signs of fear, reactivity, or over-arousal such as jumping when approached by a stranger. If your dog is consistently jumping on strangers during greetings, or, is pulling away and fearful, they may not be ready for Atlas' program yet. If you have concerns about your dog's response to strangers, we recommend speaking to an Atlas Certified Trainer or a KPA Certified Trainer

Question 12

Body Handling

Please watch the following video to help answer the question on this page

May Not be Ready for Atlas
To ensure a service dog's wellbeing, as well as the public's safety, we want to ensure that your dog is comfortable/tolerant of any body handling that might occur. We evaluate this during our initial assessment and look for signs of fear, nervousness, or reactivity when being handled by our assessor. If you have concerns about your dog's response towards body handling, we recommend speaking to an Atlas Certified Trainer or a KPA Certified Trainer

Question 13

Loose Leash Walking

Please watch the following video to help answer the question on this page

May Not be Ready for Atlas
Dogs who struggle with loose leash walking may need more foundational work prior to being accepted into Atlas' program. We are not looking for formal heel work. But if your dog is still consistently pulling, zigzagging, or planting when navigating public spaces, they may not be ready for the more advanced public access work that our program focuses on. If you have concerns about your dog's leash walking skills and want to work more on them, we recommend taking our 'Teams Set in Motion' Course or working with an Atlas Certified Trainer.

Question 14

A big part of service dog work, is asking your dog to settle in a variety of environments: restaurants, medical offices, public transit etc. What this looks like in practice: The dog lies down and is relaxed. They do not have to be asleep, but they are calmly taking in their environment.

May Not be Ready for Atlas
Settling is a learned behavior for a dog, and can be worked on. Depending on how challenging it is for your dog to settle/relax in different environments, and what else your dog still needs to work on, we may recommend spending some time to build up their settling skills before starting with Atlas. If your dog is otherwise ready for the program but just needs continued work on their settling skills, we will work with you on this during your time in the program. If you have concerns about your dog's ability to settle for longer periods, we recommend taking our 'Teams Set in Motion' Course or working with an Atlas Certified Trainer

Question 15

Prey Drive

Please watch the following video to help answer the question on this page

May Not Be Suitable for Public Access Work
Dogs with high prey drive may not be suitable for service work. This is due to the safety risk that prey drive can pose to the handler and public. A dog with high prey drive may lunge after a small animal, or even a fast moving child. While training and enrichment can help manage prey drive, this genetic and instinctual trait cannot be eliminated. Dogs who have previously caught an animal are not eligible for Atlas. If you have concerns about your dog's prey drive, we recommend speaking to an Atlas Certified Trainer or a KPA Certified Trainer

Question 16

Engagement

Please watch the following video to help answer the question on this page

May Not be Ready for Atlas
It is of utmost important to us that service dogs are happy in their role. We are asking a lot of our working partners, it is only fair that we are ensuring their wellbeing in the process. Dogs who are enthusiastic about training have great potential for service dog work. If you have concerns about your dog's enthusiasm behind training, we recommend taking our 'Teams Set in Motion' Course or working with an Atlas Certified Trainer

Thank You!

a black and white cartoon dog happily wagging his tail
Thinking Through Your Answers
Thank you for taking the time to go through each question, and watch our videos. We hope this questionnaire was valuable for you. If you have learned that you and your dog are not yet ready for Atlas' Client Certification program, please look through the resources below for the best next fit.

Please also remember that just because your dog may not be ready today, does not mean they will not be ready with a little more support first.

If you are ready to apply, great! Please give us your contact info and choose "I'm Ready to Apply". You will then get access to our application. 



Resources
Did you learn that your dog could benefit from more in depth support prior to beginning public access work or Atlas' program?

Consider working with a positive reinforcement private trainer:
Take one of our online courses:
Find an organization that will provide an already trained service dog:
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