APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply with the form on our website. The initial application is utilized for every potential client. Bayside staff will receive the initial application with general information for review. Expect to hear back within 1-2 weeks stating whether or not your application has been approved or denied. If approved, you will be able to continue with our application process. If denied, we encourage you to continue to seek help with other reputable organizations that will be able to meet your needs.

Once your initial application is approved, we will send an in-depth application to be completed to better understand your needs. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by Staff, the Board of Directors, and the Recipient Approval Team to determine whether or not our services will fit your needs. Expect to hear back within 2-4 weeks from submission to determine your approval status. Once approved, you will become an official client!

Once an official client, you must stay in contact with Bayside’s Staff and Recipient Support Team. Any changes in medical needs, contact information, etc. needs to be provided to Bayside as soon as possible. With continuous communication, we will be able to set up next steps much easier.

The next step of the client process is to attend a Client Curriculum Training & Matching Ceremony. During Client Curriculum Training, a cohort of clients learn the ins and outs of Service Dogs, Bayside, laws, required paperwork, policies & procedures, etc. The Matching Ceremony is where clients and dogs are specially paired. Each dog ready for specialized training and placement attends the Matching Ceremony and interacts with each approved client. Staff observes the client and dog’s interactions with one another and best matches the teams. After every dog has interacted with each client, staff makes a decision for the new client-dog team pairs. The pairs are then announced and the approved clients get to spend time with their newly matched partner. The Matching Ceremony is special as both the client and dog get to choose each other which will build a better bond as they go through Team Training.

Clients return to complete Team Training once their Service Dog has completed their specialized training to fit their individual needs. The clients are able to complete Team Training with a cohort of clients which will provide them with additional support to help them through the Team Training process. Team Training is a 7-day long training that covers all handling skills for the transfer process. All costs associated with Team Training are covered by the client, but their specially trained Service Dog is provided at no cost estimated at a $60,000-$75,000 value. At the end of Team Training, there is a Graduation Ceremony to celebrate the newly certified client-dog teams.

After Graduation, every client must remain in contact with Bayside’s team based on the provided follow-up schedule. Every client-dog team must complete a yearly public access to remain certified. Every client must communicate with staff if any issues or changes were to arise. Every Bayside client-dog team is apart of the Bayside family and we always want to keep up to date on our clients and dogs!