Atlas Assistance Dogs is happy to accept transfers of certified service dog teams from other Assistance Dogs International (ADI) accredited organizations in accordance with ADI guidelines. Please review the following eligibility requirements, procedures, and expectations for maintaining certification under Atlas.
Eligibility
Atlas may accept a transfer from another ADI organization if the following criteria are met. The team:
- Is already certified by an ADI-accredited program
- That program can verify they are in good standing with their client certification program
- Agrees to follow all Atlas policies, standards, and requirements for Atlas certified teams, including health requirements for the dog and training methods
- Can pass our in-person Public Access Test
- Is in a location we serve or can reasonably travel to a location we serve for your PAT.
These teams do not need to restart training with Atlas, meaning they do not need to complete the nine months training program.
Clients who are not yet certified with another ADI organization must begin the full Atlas Client Certification Program from the start and meet the same entry criteria as any other Atlas client, regardless of any previously completed training. Please see our Client Certification Program for more information or visit our Client Certification page on this site.
The Process
- Apply and turn in supporting documentation (see section below)
- Have an intake call with Atlas staff
- Complete Atlas’ Online Introduction Courses and Public Access Test course
- Schedule and complete your in-person PAT with an Atlas Team Facilitator
- All PATs are filmed and submitted to our Client Committee for final review
- Sign your agreement and become an Atlas Certified Team
- Have monthly Zoom/Phone Check ins with Atlas Staff for the first six months post certification
- Re-certification PATs are required annually for the first 3 certifications, and every other year after that. We can support these virtually with real-time proctoring.
The Cost
We charge a transfer fee of $400 broken down as follows:
$150 at the time of your intake call
$250 at the time of your Public Access Test, which also includes your initial certification (including vest and ID card)
Application Details​
To begin the process, click the “Request Application” button. We will send an email to you with a link to the application and necessary supporting documentation. This may take one or two business days.
In addition to the application, we will ask that you submit the following supporting documents:
- A completed ADI Transfer Verification Form from your current ADI certifying organization.
- A completed Medical or Mental Health Report.
- A completed Veterinarian Health Form and up to date vaccine records.
- Training documentation from the other organization if available
Atlas will review the materials you and/or your previous ADI organization provide. We may request additional documentation as needed to assess safety and readiness.
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Once we receive your application, we will be in touch with you within ten business days for next steps.
FAQs
Atlas is committed to using positive reinforcement, non aversive, and scientifically backed training methods. We believe in ethical treatment of both dogs and people, and ask the same of our clients. Any client seeking to transfer to our program will be asked to commit to using positive training methods. Use of force, fear, or intimidation on any dog or person will not be accepted.
We do not allow the use of e-collars, vibration collars, chain martingales, bark/spray collars, choke chains, or slip leads (except in the case of emergency).
While we typically will consider dogs up to eight years of age to start in our Client Certification Program, we will consider dogs as old as nine as transfer clients. We will look carefully at the dog’s background, health, and veterinarian recommendations.
Every organization has their own variations on what and how they test their teams. It is very possible that Atlas’ PAT will be slightly different than what you are used to. You will however have the opportunity to see the PAT ahead of time, go through an online class with video examples, and talk through any questions or concerns with Atlas staff before scheduling your test.
Please view our map here
Your first PAT must be in person. If you are able and willing to travel to a location where we can proctor your PAT, we can support your transfer. Please check our map and confirm with us about what location you feel may best fit your needs.
Under ADI policy, we are only able to use the transfer process for clients currently certified and in good standing with an ADI organization. In order to validate that, we must receive verification from that organization. If this is not possible, you will need to apply for our Client Certification program and go through it like any other Atlas client.