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 must have a dog to apply for our program.

Don't have a dog yet?

Review this document. Once you have a dog you may apply for our program. If you need additional information, please call our office 719-394-4060

Required screening for all dogs

Passing the temperament test is required to begin the program.

If you already have a dog, or once you get 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.
• A non-refundable $50 temperament test fee is assessed. Regardless if your dog passes or not.
• Vaccination records will need to be sent in order to conduct the temperament assessment. Once we have received the vaccines, we will reach out to schedule an appointment for the temperament test.

Financial Obligation

• Applicants are responsible for a one-time non-refundable Dog Temperament Testing Fee of $50
• Applicants are responsible for a one-time non-refundable Intake Fee of $450
• Clients will be required to pay $20 per course test – maximum of $120
• Clients will be required to pay $20 for annual recertification testing