How are they trained?
Top Floor Learning provides trainings in ESL and Reading/Writing/Math. We offer 2 trainings in ESL and 2 trainings in R/W/M each year. These are held twice a year, usually in January/February and September/October. They last for 18 hours, 3 hours a week for six weeks. Tutors learn all the theory, practices and techniques necessary to work in our program. The training is very practical, interactive, and stimulating.
All Service Dogs have extensive obedience and positioning training, as well as specific skill and task training. Each dog is trained according to its aptitude. The skills a dog needs to assist a person using a power chair are different than for someone using a manual chair or crutches. A dog partnered with someone with a greater disability will need to be more skilled. Training a Service Dog takes 6 to 10 months, depending on the skill level needed. EVERY DOG IS TRAINED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PERSON WHO WILL BE ITS PARTNER.
