Independence Dogs have been trained and provided for recipients between the ages of 10 and 65. While there is no minimum age requirement for receiving an Independence Dog, we do require that younger applicants display an above-average maturity level and have a strong family support system.

The IDI application process consists of the following components:

• The interested party calls IDI for an application package.
• The applicant completes an in-depth questionnaire designed to pinpoint his or her exact physical requirements, temperament, and lifestyle and thus facilitate prematching with an Independence Dog. Our program is open to any man, woman, or child who has a physical disability that impairs his or her ambulatory skills--for example, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, polio, rheumatoid arthritis, brain injury, or spinal cord injury. We only require that the person have a desire to live life to the fullest, make the most of what he or she has, and give 100% to the partnership. The applicant must also be willing and able to ensure proper daily and veterinary care for the dog.
• The applicant’s primary physician completes a form describing the person’s medical condition and confirming that an Independence Dog can help.
• Three of the applicant’s friends or family members submit personal recommendations.
• The applicant submits a videotape that chronicles a "day in the life" of the applicant to further illustrate the daily environments and challenges faced by the applicant--again, to help us prematch the applicant with one of our dogs.
• Upon being accepted into the IDI program, the applicant is encouraged to talk to our trainers so they can further assess his or her unique requirements, and to visit our school if at all possible.

There is currently a one- to three-year waiting list for our Independence Dogs. However, since each of our dogs is specially matched with one individual, there is no way to predict when the perfect dog for you may come into our school. While your perfect match could come to us tomorrow, you might have to wait for a year or two for us to find the proper mix of size, strength, personality, and activity level. Therefore, we do not make promises about how long any individual applicant will have to wait; we simply ask that you trust us to choose the right partner-in-living to meet your needs.