Thank you for visiting the Shadows for Life web-site!  Shadows for Life was founded on 01 January 2006, and we are located in Alvarado, Texas. The primary mission of this 501(c)(3) non-profit agency is to provide service dog training to those in need.  We work with special needs individuals in our community who will benefit from having a service dog, and to help them achieve their dog related goals. These highly trained canines not only enrich their “teammates” lives, but they also allow more independence for the individual. We also work with facility and therapy dogs, which are intended to socialize with and help multiple individuals at any given time, including assisted living establishments and special education classrooms at our schools.

With over thirty years of experience (since 1977) in the dog industry we are skillful with all training techniques, and while categorized as “crossover training”, our primary method is operant conditioning (clicker training). We are also one of only a handful of agencies that works with minor children, specifically with no age or disability restrictions.

We believe that it is extremely important that individuals who are interested in acquiring an assistance dog should research the industry standards and requirements as identified by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as well as on the Assistance Dogs International web-site.  Please also understand that the integration of an assistance dog into your daily routine is a significant life style change, and is not meant for everyone.  The task of incorporating an assistance dog into your life can be very challenging, and a lot of effort, especially for the first few weeks, regardless of where you get your dog.

At Shadows for Life, we have developed a method wherein the pups/dogs are trained here at our location, and also at your residence. Most of our clients obtain their own puppy and send him/her to us at 8 weeks of age.  We immediately place the puppies into our “Jump Start” training at our facility for a minimum of six weeks.  Towards the end of the “Jump Start”, we will send you a “Going Home Packet”, which has the pup’s vocabulary and daily training routine, step by step, for you to continue at home.  This allows you time to review the information and prepare your questions prior to picking up your pup.  It is then your responsibility to continue with the training and to send in your quarterly training logs to satisfy our requirement of (144) documented training hours.

We are then available to come to you to work hands-on at your residence with your “team” if need be.  Depending on the age of the dog, as well as the individual progress, we then continue to work with your team both at our facility and at your residence intermittently. The timing and exact location of the training is determined on a case by case basis. We continue to work with your team throughout the whole process, which includes all testing and follow-up required to assure compliance with the current laws.

Please also reference our site on http://www.petfinder.com for information about the current dogs that we have listed as up for adoption.

The agency relies on donations, fund-raising and proceeds from rescue activities, family pet counseling/training and boarding to supplement the costs associated with the assistance dog programs.

Please contact the agency for an Information/Application Packet or to find out how you can help.  Tax deductible donations may be sent to Shadows for Life, 8112 Spring Shower Ct., Alvarado TX 76009 (Tax ID available upon request).

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