About Our Victory Valor Program

Read through program requirements & Offerings

Training Program Overview

Format & commitment

• Weekly class: 1-hour, instructor-led session.
• At-home training: You’re expected to practice between classes to reinforce skills and speed progress.

Curriculum Pathway

• AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy: (for eligible young dogs) foundations, focus, and socialization.
• AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen): polite manners, reliable obedience.
• AKC CGCA (Community Canine): real-world obedience in community settings.
• AKC CGCU (Urban Canine): performance around city distractions (traffic, elevators, crowds).
• Public Access Testing (PAT): readiness for appropriate behavior in public environments.
• Advanced Task Training: tailor tasks to your needs (e.g., interrupts, retrievals, alerts, support cues).

What to Expect

• Clear weekly goals and homework to keep you and your dog progressing.
• Coaching focused on building calm, confident, distraction-proof behavior.
• A step-by-step path from foundations to public-ready teamwork and personalized task work.

Training Timeline

• Cohort rhythm: A new 8-week session starts every 2 months: Jan–Feb, Mar–Apr, May–Jun, Jul–Aug, Sep–Oct, Nov–Dec.
• Weekly cadence: 1-hour class + required at-home practice between classes.

Inside each 8-week session

• Weeks 1–6: Instruction & curriculum: skills, proofing, real-world practice.
• Weeks 7–8: Testing & evaluations: aligned to that block’s objectives.

Projected overall duration

• Typical program length: 18–24 months (9–12 consecutive blocks).
• We plan for real life: vacations, time off, injuries/accidents, and dog/handler readiness are factored into this range.

Example milestone map (typical pace)

• Blocks 1–2: Foundations → AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy (if applicable) → begin CGC skills.
• Blocks 3–4: CGC testing & polish → start CGCA (Community Canine) work.
• Blocks 5–6: CGCA testing → urban proofing toward CGCU (Urban Canine).
• Blocks 7–8: CGCU testing → Public Access Testing (PAT) prep & pass.
• Blocks 9–12: Advanced Task Training customized to your needs; maintenance & refreshers.

Dog Requirements & Compatibilities

You can apply with or without a dog.

Don’t have a dog yet? We’ll work with trusted breeders and foster partners to match you with a suitable candidate. Note: Dogs are not provided by Victory Service Dogs and may require placement/adoption fees. Matching can extend your start date.

If you already have a dog

• Evaluation: We assess breed, age (preferred: 2 years and younger), and the fit between your disability-related needs and task work to determine service-dog suitability.
• Outcome: We’ll recommend the best path—join the next training block, do pre-work, or consider an alternate match if needed.

Required screening for all dogs

Victory Service Dogs Temperament Test: Our staff will contact you during the intake process to schedule this assessment. Passing the temperament test is required to begin the program.

What matching/approval can affect

• Timeline: If we’re placing a dog for you, or if your current dog needs more foundations, your program start may be later to ensure the right fit and readiness.
• Program fit: Our goal is a confident, stable dog–handler team prepared for public access and task work.

Financial Obligation

Victory Valor applicants are responsible for the one-time Intake Fee of $250. Once admitted, the program is free of charge to the client.