Simply put, we teach students to train dogs to help people. Since 1995, more than 2500 student trainers in New Mexico have taken part in the ADW Assistance Dog Student Training program, the largest of its kind in the world. This work strengthens relationships, builds skills and nurtures empathy among young people, the dogs they train and our clients.
The student trainers learn from the staff trainers whose job it is to instill the behaviors in dogs that form the basis for their learning the 90 commands. The staff trainers take the dogs into classrooms where the students reinforce the dogs’ behavior, refine the commands in public settings, and experience first-hand what training service dogs entails.
Visit our Apply for a Dog page for more information on student trainer programs, and our application form.
