SERVICE DOGS OF VIRGINIA WEIGHT PROTOCOL

If your dog’s weight exceeds or goes below weight on SDV’s Weight Protocol Agreement the following steps will be initiated. Failure to comply with Weight Loss Protocol may result in service dog being returned to SDV.

Step A. SDV will outline a weight loss/gain plan. Client has five (5) months to reach agreed upon target weight.


Step B. During the five (5) months, client will give updates every month(report found at bottom of this page).

If progress is made after two months, client will continue submitting monthly reports until the (5) five months have ended then continue to Step D. (Please note for the 5th month weight report, you must submit paperwork from your vet with the dog’s weight. Please email Caroline at office@servicedogsva.org to submit vet paperwork)

or

If no progress is made after two (2) months, client may be asked to take dog to the vet for blood panel and thyroid test. After test results, you will either continue with Step B.

or

Step C. Dog will be taken back and placed with a foster family until target weight is reached. Once target weight is reached, dog will be placed back with client. Once dog is returned to client, client will start again at Step B.


Step D. When target weight is reached, client will submit monthly every three months for six months (a total of 2 reports). At the end of six months, dog must be weighed at vet. Submit paperwork from vet listing weight. If weight has increased or decreased, SDV will determine what step will be taken. If dog becomes overweight or underweight again; dog may be returned to SDV.




Weight Report

At the end of each 5th month of weight protocol, vet records showing dog’s weight should be submitted to SDV.