Page 24 2024 Animal Stories Lincoln Daily News February 2024 How To Apply Step 1: Complete the Online Inquiry Form If more information is needed after you fill out the form, you will be emailed an application and a medical form. The application must be hand signed and PGI will respond within four weeks. Step 2: The team will review the application and a veterinary check will be done on all the animals in your home and those offering personal references will be contacted. Step 3: If PGI feels that you would be a good fit then a telephone interview is scheduled. If the telephone interview leads the team to believe you would be a good candidate then a home visit is scheduled. Step 4: Information is presented to the PGI Board of Directors and a decision will be made based on if it is felt that a dog would be a good match for you. Step 5: Once you reach this stage you are added to the waiting list and begin working towards completing 25 hours of training at PGI in Peoria. Step 6: You will complete 25 training hours, a workshop, and complete at least three successful home passes with a potential service dog match. There will be a follow up and re-certification in six months. Step 7: The service dog is placed in your care Step 8: Continued training is required for the service dog’s life. How to Volunteer Volunteers are a vital part of PGI’s ability to offer service dogs to those in need at no cost. If you are interested in being a part of a very important program in Central Illinois, you are encouraged to volunteer. You can apply online to volunteer in several capacities. You will learn to handle and train in weekly classes and work with dogs as they learn skills. You can be a general volunteer, a dog/puppy sitter (short-term sitting if handler is out of town), a furlough trainer (have a helping paws dog for one week once a month), puppy raiser, foster home, transition trainer, or be involved in fundraising and public events. Lincoln native, Lindy Belley is a volunteer and helps PGI with furloughs, fostering, and training. Lindy has shared her home with a few PGI dogs now and looks forward to many more. Donna Kosner is the Director of Community Outreach, Education, and Applications. She has been with Paws Giving Independence since 2010. Donna became involved with a local rescue in 2003 and fostered 100 dogs and puppies over five years. She is passionate about animal rescue. Donna is licensed in early education and has worked in a variety of settings. Donna recently shared with LDN how Paws Giving Independence is making an impact Continued --
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