Becky Canale: Hi! I am Becky Canale, National Client Services Coordinator at Paws With A Cause. Today we are going to be talking about how to select an assistance dog agency to work with. Finding the right agency can make all the difference in creating a lasting partnership with you and your assistance dog.

We begin by first talking about what assistance dogs do, so that you will know what to expect. Then Kevin Stone, a Paws assistance dog owner and U.

S Army Veteran will touch on how to be proactive for your needs as prospective client. This is an important step that will help your agency select and train a service dog that best fits your specific needs.

Next Ken Kirsch, training manager at Paws With A Cause will discuss Assistance Dogs International or ADI, a coalition of nonprofit organizations that train and place assistance dogs.

When looking for an assistance dog agency, you should establish a list of priorities. I will cover the basics on setting your priorities and discussing the questions you will want to ask as well as a few things to keep in mind.

And finally Kevin Stone will talk about what it's like to be an assistance dog user. You will find that assistance dog users are typically very eager to share their personal stories and experiences with you.

Before we begin, let me tell you a little bit about myself and Paws With A Cause. I have been working with this organization and assistance dog users for 15 years. I have 20 years experience training dogs and people. At Paws With A Cause, our vision is to encourage independence for people with disabilities by sustaining and strengthening our position as a nation's leading provider of quality assistance dogs.

So, let's get started in finding the right assistance dog agency for you.