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Hanks Training Plan
Owner Led Training
To start, we are taking full control of Hank's service dog journey through step-by-step guidance from industry professionals at Arizona Goldens. This program gives us direct access to over 200 video lessons, 14+ hours of structured training, monthly eCoaching, live events, and direct expert support to help us build a confident, reliable working team for Astrid.
Train and Board
Once Hank has mastered his core foundational obedience, we plan to enroll him in a 1 to 2-month Board & Train program. During this intensive phase, professional trainers will refine his existing skills while introducing specialized task training tailored specifically to Astrid’s autism support needs.
Evaluation Preparation
To finalize Hank’s journey, we will complete a 10-day Evaluation Preparation program. This intensive training polished all of Hank’s skills, fine-tunes his specialized tasks, and fully prepares both Hank and us as handlers to pass the formal service dog evaluation and earn his official licensing.
Why We Chose This Process
We chose this phased approach because it makes the significant investment of service animal training much more manageable by spreading costs out over time. More importantly, hands-on involvement ensures we are fully trained as handlers—empowering us to maintain and build upon Hank's skills throughout his working life, since a service dog's training is a lifelong journey.
Process Length
Training a reliable service dog takes approximately 12 to 16 months because it requires building rock-solid foundational obedience, social confidence, and mastery of complex tasks in phases. Moving through owner-led coursework, intensive board-and-train immersion, and public access preparation ensures that Hank matures at a realistic pace without being rushed or overwhelmed. This extended timeline allows essential behaviors to transition from deliberate practice to second-nature responses, giving Hank and our family the time needed to build seamless communication and real-world consistency.
How You Make This Possible
You are the absolute heart of this journey, making it possible for us to provide Astrid with the life-changing support of a fully trained service dog. The financial investment required for professional training, board-and-train programs, and evaluation preparation is significant, and your generosity directly bridges the gap between a goal and a reality for our family. Beyond funding essential coursework and expert instruction for Hank, your support gives Astrid a safer, more empowering future. We are deeply grateful for every way you stand beside us—you are a vital part of Hank's success and Astrid's everyday independence.