FAQs

Organization Information

When & why was Summit Assistance Dogs founded?

Summit was founded in March, 2000, by Sue Meinzinger, a graduate of the Assistance Dog Institute in Santa Rosa, California. Summit was founded in response to the overwhelming need for more assistance dogs. According to current statistics, only 1% of people desiring partnership with a canine helpmate are able to receive one.

How is Summit Assistance Dogs funded?

Summit is almost entirely funded by public support. Individual donors contribute the majority of our funding, followed by organizations such as service clubs, churches, and clubs, then private foundations and corporations. We receive a small amount of earned income for our youth program. We receive no government funding.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Summit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

How many staff members does Summit have?

We currently have 7 paid staff members and over 200 volunteers.

What services does Summit provide?

Summit provides highly-trained assistance dogs for people with disabilities, a youth program for at-risk youth, reading enhancement programs for challenged readers, and educational presentations for community groups such as clubs, churches, schools, etc.

How many assistance dogs has Summit placed?

See our Graduates Gallery

 

Applying For a Dog

How do I go about applying for a dog?

The first step is to contact Summit, preferably by email info@summitdogs.org and provide a brief description of what kind of assistance dog you are interested in (mobility, hearing, etc.). After some discussion a determination will be made as to whether Summit is able to provide the kind of assistance dog you want. If so, we will forward an application packet to you to complete and submit.

What happens after I submit my application?

Please read Applying for a Dog

How far away do you place dogs?

We are willing to discuss placement anywhere. But since graduating with a Summit dog requires many trips to our facility here in NW Washington State at the recipient’s expense, we normally find that people who live a great distance for us are happier finding an organization in closer proximity to their home.

How long is the waiting list?

This is a difficult question to answer because there are many issues involved in making that determination. A rough approximation is 1 – 3 years. Some people have received a dog within 6 months, some have waited 4 years.

How much does it cost to train a dog?

Mobility-assistance dogs - $20,000
Hearing dogs - $15,000
Therapy/facility dogs - $10,000

Do I have to pay for my dog?

We do not have a specific charge for our dogs. We do ask our applicants to contribute what they are able, fundraise as much as they are able, and then apply to us for a scholarship for the balance of the value of the dog. We also request that each qualified applicant submit an application for a scholarship to the Assistance Dog United Campaign.

If I get on the waiting list am I guaranteed a dog?

No. At no time do we offer any kind of guarantee of successful placement. There are too many variables involved, all along the way, to do so.

Is it okay to apply to more than one organization for a dog?

Yes. In fact we encourage it. We do ask, however, that if you know you are getting a dog from another organization you let us know.

Does Summit train all kinds of assistance dogs?

No. Currently Summit trains three kinds of dogs: mobility assistance dogs, hearing assistance dogs, and therapy dogs.

Will Summit help me train my own dog or train a dog that is already owned by me?

No.

Will Summit certify my own dog?

No.

 

Dog Selection & Training

What breeds of dogs does Summit use?

Summit considers almost any breed of dog, or mix, for assistance work. The most important thing is not the breed but the specific animal, so we do an immense amount of evaluation and testing on each puppy and dog before they are accepted into the program. Certain breeds (Northern, Hounds, Giant breeds, Pit Bulls), however, would normally not be considered due to inherent temperament and/or behavior tendencies, or because of negative public perception.

What age of dog does Summit look for?

We accept dogs in our training program from 7 weeks of age until approximately 2 years of age.

Does Summit produce their own litters?

Our first Summit litter of Labrador Retrievers was born in December of 2004.

Does Summit sell any of the puppies from their breeding program?

Yes. If we have a large litter or a puppy that is not suitable for assistance work, we will consider selling.

Does Summit use dogs from shelters, breed rescue groups, and owners needing to rehome their pets?

Yes. Summit is dedicated to making every effort to use dogs needing to be rehomed. To this end we have developed a comprehensive evaluation process for these dogs that involves about 16 different tests. This is a very labor-intensive part of our program and we are always interested in volunteers willing to learn how to do these evaluations in order to cover more territory and hopefully find more suitable dogs.

 

Dog Training

What methods does Summit use to train the dogs?

Summit dogs are trained using positive reinforcement (food, praise, play) to shape desired behaviors. We structure our training plans to meet the individual needs of each dog.

How long does it take to train a Summit assistance dog?

Summit dogs are in basic training with their puppy raisers until the age of 16-18 months. They are then trained by Summit staff trainers for an additional 4-8 months. They are generally placed with their final handler at approximately 2 yrs of age.

What causes dogs to not succeed as assistance dogs?

There are many reasons a dog may not succeed. But the major causes for a dog being released from the program are aggression, fear, poor health, and high activity level.

What happens to the dogs that do not succeed?

Summit is totally committed to finding every dog the right ‘forever’ home. Some of our released dogs may go on to other careers such as law enforcement or search and rescue. Some are available as pets. An adoption fee is charged according to the breed of dog and the level of training it has.

 

To view our released dogs that are available for adoption go to Petfinder