1. What is P2H's Mission Statement?
Our mission is to reduce the cost and time it takes to place a service dog with a person in need. We accomplish this by nurturing, socializing and training purposely-bred Labrador Retriever puppies, for donation, to carefully selected service dog organizations.
2. Does P2H Donate dogs to individuals in need?
We do not donate puppies to individuals looking to train their own service dog. Our puppies are donated to carefully selected service dog organizations.
However, P2H has recently embarked on another industry first. This program will be called the started service dog program and will allow individuals, who want to be involved in the training of their own service dog, access to young adult dogs, between the ages of 12-14 months. These dogs have illustrated outstanding focus, and attention, in public settings.
3. Why do you breed and nurture puppies?
The seminal research on the genetic impact on the social behavior of dogs conducted by Dr. John Paul Scott and Scott Fuller can be found in their book Genetics and the social Behavior of Dogs. Their research found the approximately 35% of the dogs social behavior as an adult is genetically based while 65% is attributable socialization and nurturing during the sensitive period of the pup's life (first 12 weeks). Project 2 Heal's breeding and nurturing process uses pedigree research and information from our breeder mentors. We have developed a process of using Early Neurological Stimulation coincidental to Early Scent Introduction followed by Puppy Prodigy and clicker training. Our pups go to their service dog organizations not only knowing how to learn but also knowing that training brings rewards with it.
4. How long does P2H keep a puppy?
P2H keeps puppies anywhere from 8-16 weeks of age, program dependent. 16 weeks is the end of the sensitive period. Together with the recipient organizations, P2H decides what is in the best interest of each puppy.
5. Are there other organizations like P2H?
A handful of the most of the well funded service dog organizations have their own breeding program. The primary source of dogs for other service dog organization are shelters and rescues
P2H is the only organization like this in the country, however our success as led to request from other countries like Israel and Hong Kong.
6. What is the success rate for P2H dogs?
Feedback from our partners, across the country, suggests that our pups pass service dog training between 60% to 100%! This compared to the main source of success rate of dogs obtained from rescues and shelters, which is under 20%.
The Project 2 Heal pups that are not partnered as service dogs many times become skilled companions to children whose special needs do not reach the level of needing a service dog.
7. What is the success rate for shelter dogs placed in service dog training?
A study by a major service dog organization found that on average that 12.5% of dogs taken from shelters and rescues can pass the service dog training.
If you walk into the shelter and there are 100 dogs, on average 8 dogs are picked for training, and on average 1 will succeed in service dog training.