Q: How have membership requirements changed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic? A: We are happy and excited to welcome new members to Patriot Paws of Aggieland despite the Coronavirus Pandemic. These requirements now consist of 3 general meetings, 2 socials, and 2 profit shares. Members have the opportunity to supplement their social or profit share attendance with one point of social media or service participation. Currently, PRIT requirements do include in person shadows which will follow the proper precautions. This is because hands-on training is extremely important in order to be successful raising your first service dog. Further information and changes may be forthcoming as the situation progresses.
Q: How do I get involved with Patriot Paws of Aggieland? A: Please visit the Membership tab to learn more about how to become a member, puppy sitter, puppy raiser, or officer of PPA. The 'Events' tab and our Facebook page provide details about upcoming PPA events.
Q: Do I have to pay for anything (in terms of raising)? A: Not really! Medical fees, kennels, food, grooming for all of our labradoodles, training supplies, and your dog’s gear (ex. leash) are paid for by Patriot Paws. The only things you may want to purchase for your dog are toys, dog beds, and other miscellaneous objects. Many raiser’s make their toys at home with old t-shirts and you can borrow grooming supplies from the trainers! Q: What types of dogs does Patriot Paws have? A: Here at Patriot Paws of Aggieland you’ll have the chance to raise a variety of dog breeds and ages. Possible dog breeds include English retrievers, Labrador retrievers, Goldadors, and Labradoodles. The age range of dogs includes puppies (3 months old) all the way to adult dogs (3 years old).
Q: Can I raise on campus? A: Of course you can raise while living on campus! There is additional paperwork you would need to submit to Residence Life about your dog, but we have many raisers live on campus (in both large and small dorms). In fact, we even have a number of RAs who raise service dogs in training!
Q: Can I raise if I’m a part of the TEAM program? A: Of course! Texas A&M students enrolled in the Blinn TEAM program are allowed to be members and raise (following a semester of training) like all other A&M students.
Q: Can I raise if I’m in the corps? A: Yes! We have had several puppy raisers who raise while in the Corps of Cadets. The only difference between a corp raiser and a normal raiser is the dogs do not stay with the puppy raiser in the corp overnight.
Q: Can I raise if I currently have a service dog? A: Unfortunately, we don’t allow members with a personal service dog train for us for a variety of reasons (including that the dog in training may interfere with the personal service dog’s tasks).
Q: Will I be able to raise multiple times? Definitely! Many of our raisers have raised for almost their entire college experience (including winter and summer breaks if they wish).
Q: Will I be able to raise the semester following certification? A: Of course! We try our best as an organization to give all those wishing to be involved the chance to help train the dogs. Generally, your first semester raising you may have a mentor or experienced partner to help you adjust to training your dog while being a student at Texas A&M!
General Quesitons
Q: What is a service animal? A: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. A service animal is a medical device, not a pet. Service animals not only provide a specific service to their handlers, but also greatly enhance the quality of their lives with a new sense of freedom and independence. There are three types of Assistance Dogs:
Guide Dogs: for the blind and the visually impaired
Hearing Dogs: for the deaf and the hard of hearing
Service Dogs: for people with disabilities other than those related to vision or hearing
Dogs trained by Patriot Paws generally fall under the category of service dogs. Our dogs are trained for mobility assistance, post traumatic stress disorder, and seizure alert/response. Q: Can I pet a service dog? A: Petting is at the handler's discretion. For service dogs in training, socialization is essential - so petting can be helpful, but only with the handler's approval. For working service dogs, petting is often is restricted since it may prevent the dog from doing his/her job correctly. Please do not be offended if a service dog handler does not allow you to pet their dog. Training comes first and foremost. Please do not ever pet a service dog without asking, and please do not call them to you, bark at them, or otherwise distract them! Interfering with or harrassing a service animal is prohibited under the ADA.
Q: Why do your dogs get to go to class/restaurants/stores/etc? A: Under the ADA (federal law), service animals accompanied by their handlers have public access, but individual state laws regulate access for service dogs in training. Luckily, Texas state law provides service dogs in training with public access when accompanied by their trainer. Texas Human Resources Code, Chapter 121.003i An assistance animal in training shall not be denied admittance to any public facility when accompanied by an approved trainer who is an agent of an organization generally recognized by agencies involved in the rehabilitation of persons who are disabled as reputable and competent to provide training for assistance animals, and/or their handlers. For more information on Texas law regarding service animals, please visit http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/docs/HR/htm/HR.121.htm For more information on the ADA regarding service animals, please visit http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm
Q: How much does it cost to train a dog, and how does Patriot Paws get funding? A: Patriot Paws Service Dogs does not place a dog younger than 1 1/2 years. Training costs approximately $25,000 – $35,000; donations and volunteers are crucial. All of the money needed to care for the dogs-in-training is donated.
Q: Can I donate to Patriot Paws of Aggieland? A: Yes you can donate to our Patriot Paws of Aggieland Branch directly. The other donation option is to donate to the main organization Patriot Paws Service Dogs.
Q: How do I apply for a service dog? A: Patriot Paws of Aggieland does not directly place service dogs with their veteran partners. To apply for a dog from Patriot Paws, visit patriotpaws.org. Go to the Service Dog tab, click on Application, and download the application form. Follow the instructions to fill it out, and begin the process of regaining your independence!