Assistance Dogs

Service Dogs

Service Dogs are the primary focus of Hawaii Canines For Independence. Professional instructors teach the dogs over 90 commands during their one to two years of training. Service Dogs assist people with various physical disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and multiple sclerosis. Service Dogs are trained to assist people with disabilities by performing tasks such as pulling a wheelchair, turning on and off lights, opening doors and retrieving items that are out of reach. Service Dogs provide their partners with the freedom and confidence to lead more independent lives. Many Hawaii Canines For Independence graduates have said their Service Dog has made their wheelchair disappear.

Skilled Companion Dogs

Skilled Companion Dogs have many of the same skills as Service Dogs. They are usually placed with children with physical disabilities who are not able to verbally give commands. The third member of the team is a parent or caregiver who verbally gives the commands to the dog and facilitates interaction between the dog and child.

Social Therapy Dogs

Social Therapy Dogs provide are placed with children with special needs. These full time home companions provide unconditional love and a variety of therapeutic benefits that enhance the quality of a child's life. Social Therapy Dogs are chosen for their gentle nature and develop a special bond with the child they are partnered with.

Facility Dogs

Facility Dogs provide love and companionship to patients at hospitals and nursing homes. They work full time and live with a staff member who receives intensive training and is certified in Animal Assisted Therapy. Patients appreciate their wonderful, non-judgmental nature and benefit physically and emotionally from their interactions with these special dogs.

Seizure Response Dogs

Seizure Response Dogs are trained to assist their partners by recognizing the signs of a seizure and going to find help during a seizure. They most often are placed with children with other disabilities and help give both the child and parent greater independence and peace of mind. Hawaii Canines For Independence does not train or place Seizure Alert Dogs to alert to seizures ahead of time.

Guide Dogs & Hearing Dogs

Hawaii Canines For Independence assists Hawaii residents in applying to other programs on the mainland or abroad that specialize in training Guide Dogs for the Blind or Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. Hawaii Canines For Independence helps our affiliates by conducting interviews and follow up visits for these teams. Hawaii Canines For Independence also screens and selects Hearing Dog candidates from the local shelters to send to Hearing Dog Programs on the mainland.

Types of Dogs we provide

Hawaii Canines For Independence specializes in training and placing Service Dogs for people with significant mobility impairments. Hawaii Canines For Independence also trains and places Skilled Companions, Facility Dogs, Social Therapy Dogs and Seizure Response Dogs.

Types of Dogs we can help provide

While Hawaii Canines For Independence does not train or place Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, or Autism Dogs, we are able to assist with the application and interview process with some of our affiliate organizations to help residents of Hawaii in obtaining Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Autism Dogs.

Types of Dogs we are not able to provide

Hawaii Canines For Independence does not train, place or certify any personal pets, Emotional Support Animals, Psychiatric Service Dogs, Balance Dogs, or Seizure Alert Dogs.

Hawaii Canines For Independence does not place Assistance Dogs in a home with other dogs. Exceptions may be made for retired Assistance Dogs.