Atlas application | Strikemore Dog Train

Working home application - Atlas

We’re excited to share that applications are now open for anyone based in Merseyside who would like to be considered for Atlas, our assistance dog in training.Atlas is currently learning the skills he will need to support someone with greater independence, confidence, and assistance with day-to-day life. As his training continues, we are looking for the right person whose needs, lifestyle, and goals genuinely align with Atlas and his future potential.Being matched with an assistance dog is a life-changing journey, and finding the right partnership is extremely important to us. For this reason, we ask that anyone considering applying gives this careful thought. If you believe an assistance dog could make a positive difference in your life and feel that Atlas may be the right match for you, we would love to hear from you.Please note that if you are matched with Atlas, this will be a long-term commitment, involving approximately two years of training sessions, bonding, and assessments before he is placed in your home full time.

Atlas is a one-year-old intact male Golden Retriever with an energetic and enthusiastic personality. As he is still in his adolescent phase, he does require support around managing excitement in certain situations, though this is expected to improve with maturity. He is a bright and capable young dog and has already achieved the following -

- Kennel Club Puppy Foundation CGC

- Kennel Club Bronze CGC (passed twice with separate handlers)

- StrikeMore Assistance Dogs internal Bronze assessment

Atlas is trained to walk on a loose lead using a Halti head collar and is gradually transitioning to working on a flat collar.He has been raised living with a female dog and can live either as an only dog or in a multi-dog household, provided other dogs are spayed or neutered.A cat-free home is preferred. Atlas has been cat tested but requires further work on ignoring cats outdoors.He is unaffected by fireworks.

Atlas Loves-

- Food (always)

- Zoomies

- Playing tug-of-war

- Retrieving and carrying items, particularly clothes and soft toys

- Scent games

- Plenty of head pats and ear scratches

Atlas Is Not a Fan Of-

- Loud air-horn-type noises

Atlas has been trained in and around a wide range of environments, including flower shows, festivals, shops, GP surgeries and pharmacies, bowling alleys, arcades, theme parks, farms, parks, and restaurants. He takes new environments in his stride, however, due to some difficult experiences with loud air-horn-type noises as a puppy, he will require ongoing desensitisation work in this area.

He is able to work around the majority of mobility aids. Atlas would be best suited to a home without very young children, as his size and age mean he could accidentally knock a baby or toddler over. He may be suitable for a household with older children (aged 9+) with adult supervision, provided they have a good understanding of dog body language.Atlas particularly excels at retrieval tasks and psychiatric-based assistance work, though he also shows potential for medical detection tasks.

If the dog will be assisting somebody under the age of 16, this form will need to be filled in from an adult in the same household. Proof of ID will be asked if application is approved. This application is only for members of the Merseyside area.

Before starting, check and confirm that have you read, understood and agree to the ‘working home process and expectations’ document in the about section.

First name of who will be handling the dog

Full name of who the dog will assist

Phone

Date of birth - of who the dog will assist

Day

Month

Year

Social media

Multi-line address

Country/Region

Address

Address - line 2

City

Zip / Postal code

Reason for applying

Emergency contact information - Name / phone / Relationship to you

Walking Speed estimate

using a stop tracker app and stopwatch, calculate how long it takes you to walk 2km. Using mobility aids and taking breaks if necessary is advised.

Do you have any pets in the home

if so please provide pets name, species and breed, age, gender, whether they are neutered or intact and vaccine status fot each indevidual pet.

Please provide more information on your pets using the below questions as a guide

Have any of your pets ever been through any traumatic events that might affect their behaviour?

Would their need to be more introduction sessions between the dog and your pets?

Are your pets socialised with dogs and people coming into the home?

Do you live in a house, apartment complex or flat

Are you living in private or Rented property?

If your renting, please provide proof that you are allowed pets in the property

Do you feel your home is suitable for the dog’s size and exercise needs?

Do you have a fenced garden or access to outdoor space?

Are there any restrictions on pet ownership in your home or building (e.g., size, breed restrictions)

Are there children in the home? If so, what are their ages and how do they behave around dogs?

Are all members of the household on board with a working dog in the home?

Do you have a car or a way of getting the dog to a vet in case of emergencies?

If you don’t have a car, how do you plan to get the dog to any needed training sessions as well as the vets in case of emergencies?

Have you owned dogs before? If so, what types and breeds?

What does a typical day look like for you?

How much time will the dog spend alone during the day?

How do you plan to exercise and mentally stimulate the dog?

What is your approach to training and discipline?

Are you prepared for the dog’s medical needs, including vaccinations, potential spaying/neutering, and any emergency medical care?

Are you financially prepared to care for the dog, including food, grooming, and emergency care?

Do you have a specific vet you would like the dog registered to?

Are you ready for a long-term commitment? Dogs can live for 10–15 years or more

Will the dog be adopted into the home after the retirement process or returned back to StrikeMore. Retirement process begins when the dog is 9 ½ years old. This decision can be changed at any point.

Do you understand that the dog can be taken from you if there is signs of neglect, refusal to keep up with training or any breach of contract

Are you happy for a trainer and the chosen dog to visit your home during the matching process and specialised training?

Are you happy for the dog to be taken by a trainer once a month, for a full groom, top up training and health check?

What disability / health condition are you wanting the dog to assist with

In your own words, tell us why having an assistance dog would help you.

What are the specific tasks that your wanting the dog to be trained to perform?

Would the dog be attending a college, university or work environment with you?

Signature

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Date of signing

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