Welcome to our Q&A page! Here, we've compiled some common questions from our clients and provided answers to help you learn more about PRISM K9, our working K9s, and the services we offer.

Q1: What is PRISM K9, and what is its mission?

A: PRISM K9 is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities by providing them with highly trained, healthy, quality service dogs. Our mission is to enhance independence, safety, and quality of life for those in need through the support and companionship of service dogs.

Q2: What types of working K9s does PRISM K9 place?

A: We raise, train, and place K9s in the following capacities:
- SERVICE ANIMALS
- FACILITY DOGS
- THERAPY DOGS
- EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PETS
- FAMILY COMPANIONS

Q3: Are your K9s health-checked?

A: Yes, all our dogs come with a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian. We prioritize the well-being of our puppies and ensure they are up-to-date on treatments.

Q4: Do you offer shipping for your dogs?

A: No, at this time we do not offer shipping. We require a trip to our area for training of the handlers at placement of the K9. Please inquire about the finances of having one of our staff travel to you to deliver a puppy and train in your environment.

Q5: What is your approach to socialization for puppies and working dogs?

A: Socialization is crucial for our puppies, and continues to be so through their training. We expose them to various environments, people, and experiences from a young age. This helps them develop into well-rounded and confident dogs, ready to adapt to different situations.

Q6: Can I see pictures and information about available puppies?

A: Yes, you can view pictures and detailed information about some of our available K9s on our website. We regularly update our listings with new arrivals and provide information on their career possibilities, health, and personality. Please inquire if you are looking for a specific type of dog.

Q7: What is your working dog placement process?

A: Our process involves a thorough application and review, followed by a phone interview and/or a video call. We want to ensure that our K9s find loving and responsible homes where they will be well-cared for, and we also want to ensure they are suited to perform the work asked of them. At that time a deposit is due. We then choose a dog and formulate a individual training plan for the specific handler and home. Remainder of cost of the K9 is due at placement of working dog.

Q8: Do you offer a health guarantee for your K9s?

A: Yes, we offer a comprehensive health guarantee for our canines. We stand by the quality and health of our dogs and are committed to addressing any health concerns that may arise as we are able.

Q9: How do I contact you for inquiries or to schedule a visit?

A: You can reach us through the contact information provided on our website. Please feel free to call, email, or use the contact form to get in touch with us. We are always happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have.

Q10: Do you have a return policy or support for puppy owners?

A: Yes, we offer post-placement support and advice to our handlers. We are dedicated to the well-being of our K9s throughout their lives and are here to assist with any questions or concerns. We will always receive back our K9s if an emergency arises, and you can send us an email with details concerning your surrender.

Q11: Who qualifies for a service dog from PRISM K9?

A: We provide service dogs to individuals with various disabilities, including but not limited to Autism, visual or hearing impairments, epilepsy, diabetes, psychiatric conditions including PTSD, POTS, and more. Qualification is determined on a case-by-case basis through an application and assessment process.

Q12: What services and tasks can your dogs perform?

A: Our K9s are trained to perform within a wide range of tasks tailored to the individual's needs. This may include providing mobility assistance, alerting to medical symptoms, retrieving objects, guiding the visually impaired, and offering emotionally grounding support.

Q13: How can someone apply for a service dog from PRISM K9?

A: To apply for a SERVICE DOG, a FACILITY DOG, a THERAPY DOG, or an EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG, interested individuals can complete the online application form. We review each application carefully and assess the specific needs of the applicant to determine eligibility.

Q14: Are there costs associated with receiving a working dog from PRISM K9?

A: We strive to provide our working dogs to qualified individuals at a minimal fee. We do not receive government funding at this time, and are not yet able to provide financial assistance.

Q15: How long does the training process take for a working dog?

A: The training duration varies depending on the individual needs of the client and the tasks the dog must learn. On average, the training process takes several months to a year or more.

Q16: What post-placement support does PRISM K9 offer?

A: We provide ongoing support and resources to our clients to ensure a successful partnership with their service dogs. This includes periodic check-ins, access to trainers for questions or concerns, and guidance on proper care and handling.

Q17: What types of disabilities can Service Dogs assist with?

We breed, raise, and train dogs to be Autism Support Dogs, Psychiatric Service Dogs, PTSD Service Dogs, Diabetic Alert Dogs, and Therapy Dogs. If you aren’t sure what type of dog you are looking for, we can have a conversation to help you decide what is right for you.

Service dogs can help with the effects of Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer’s, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Schizophrenia, Crohn’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy (CP), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, ALS, Diabetes, Epilepsy and other Seizure Disorders, Muscular Dystrophy, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and more.

Q18: Where do the dogs come from?

We breed dogs specifically for our program, but train dogs from outside sources on a limited basis.

Our dogs are from health-tested dogs, with proven service lines. From choosing the dog breeding pairs, to the pregnancy, birth, and onward we have WORKING DOGS in mind. Only the best are placed in working homes.

Q19: What are “Purpose-Bred” dogs?

Purpose-bred dogs are lines of dogs bred to perform a specific job or task. For our program, this means working in service to a person or persons with disabilities. We choose breeding dogs who possess innate qualities, such as desire to serve, ability to recognize human distress, desire to alert, and more.

Purposefully breeding dogs for the necessary work greatly reduces the washout rate among service dogs. Purpose-breeding adds control to both the genetic spectrum as well as the environmental stimuli.

Our Purpose-Bred dogs are also screened for health issues, and carefully chosen based on those results.

Q20: Why Use Miniature Schnauzers and Airedale Terriers?

Both Miniature Schnauzers and Airedale Terriers are low-allergen. This means they can interact with a variety of people with a very low chance that someone would have an allergic reaction. 

Miniature Schnauzers are natural watch dogs. Originally developed in part to alert their handlers to worrisome situations, they are keen to look out for their people (alert to medical situations, including significant cardiac, blood pressure, blood sugar, or mental health events). 

Airedale Terriers are born retrievers. They love to do light mobility work (picking up, retrieving, pushing buttons - not counter-balance or supporting weight). They are much more playful and sweet-tempered than Standard Poodles, and more interested in engaging one handler than Golden Retrievers.

Because they are extremely intelligent, these dogs are able to learn behaviors to perform at the time of alert. They can also learn dozens of behaviors and cues to perform their work well.

Q21: What Types of Training Does PRISM K9 Use?

We use a variety of training methods, from Puppy Culture to Karen Pryor. We work with families to continue training in an ongoing way throughout the life of their Service Animal. We look to the techniques of Karen Pryor, Jack and Wendy Volhard, Hannah Brannigan, Patrick Wong, and more. We consider ourselves to be balanced trainers, leaning toward the positive trainer end of the spectrum.

Q22: What are Psychiatric Service Dogs?

Just as a dog can be trained to alert to seizures and other medical conditions, a dog can also be trained to sense the changes in a person’s body when they are beginning to have a panic attack, flash back, anxiety attack, or other psychiatric event. The dog is able to paw at the leg of their handler and interrupt what would otherwise be a debilitating and destructive behavior for the individual. This helps the handler to refocus on their dog and work through the problem. The ‘Alert’ command can also help in other ways. There are many situations when a recipient will need to excuse themselves from a classroom or meeting due to personal psychiatric concerns. With a discrete signal to the dog, the handler can command his or her dog to paw at the handler’s leg, making it look like the dog is seeking attention. The handler is then able to comfortably leave the situation with the excuse that his or her dog needs to relieve itself.

Q23: What Comes After Pickup?

Service Dog Handlers should be continuing to teach and work with their dogs on an ongoing basis throughout their lifetime. PRISM K9 answers questions, acts as ongoing “tech support,” and provides continuing education options for clients.

Q24: How can individuals support PRISM K9’s mission?

A: You can support our organization by making a donation, spreading awareness about our work, or holding fundraising events.

Q25: Where are you located, and can I visit your facility?

A: We are located in Akron OH, and we welcome visitors by appointment. Please contact us in advance to schedule a visit and learn about our visiting policies.

We hope this Q&A has been informative and helpful. If you have any additional questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.