The Readiness Checklist
The Readiness Checklist will help you carefully weigh your decision to apply and understand if now is the right time for you to welcome a Hearing Dog into your life.
The Readiness Checklist
- I meet all criteria to qualify for a Hearing Dog from SSF Dogs.
- I have no other pet dogs living in my home.
- I have at least severe-to-profound hearing loss in both ears.
- I am a resident of California, or Westerns Arizona and Nevada.
- I am 21 years of age or older.
- Now, and in the future, I have the finances to properly take care of a dog.
- Now, and in the future, I can provide a dog with the necessities for a safe and loving home, such as:
- annual veterinarian visits
- grooming care, regular exercise and enrichment (walking at least 1 mile daily), a quality diet, several or more daily outings for bathroom relief.
- routine and unconditional affection
- I enjoy the companionship of a dog (a Hearing Dog is with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week).
- I am enthusiastic about learning from a trainer how to maintain the care and training of my Hearing Dog.
- Now, and in the future, I will follow the advice of a trainer to maintain the care and training of a Hearing Dog.
- Now, and in the future, the people I live with want a dog in the home, and they are willing to follow SSF Dogs’ guidelines.
- Now, and in the future, I have a support system who will be willing to take care of my dog if I am unable to.
- I have taken the time to consider what having a Hearing Dog will mean for my everyday life, and I have discussed this decision with those who I am close with.
- I understand that wait times for a Hearing Dog will vary, and I am willing to be patient while waiting to be matched with a Hearing Dog.