TriCord Humans & Hounds

Our Program

TriCord’s Humans and Hounds program connects individuals with rescue dogs that will be trained to become service dogs, therapy dogs, or emotional support animals. In partnership with humane societies, animal welfare organizations, and rescues across Oklahoma, TriCord offers a fresh start for dogs that have experienced trauma or loss, pairing them with people who share their resilience and giving both a meaningful new purpose.

Throughout the program, TriCord supports both clients and dogs during the training and certification process, focusing on basic and advanced obedience, as well as specialized training tailored to the dog’s future role. Therapy dogs provide emotional comfort, stress relief, and companionship to individuals in various settings. Therapy dogs are trained to offer therapeutic benefits to multiple people. They are often used in structured programs to support mental and emotional well-being. Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for a specific person. An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal that provides comfort and emotional support to individuals dealing with mental health conditions or emotional challenges.

The cost of the Humans and Hounds program varies depending on the organization providing the dog, the extent of training required, and certification fees. Scholarships are available for those who qualify. If you're interested in becoming part of the Humans and Hounds program, please complete the form below.

Interested in Humans and Hounds?

E-Mail: services@tricordranch.org

Tel: (405) 429-9388

What is a Service Dog?

A service dog is a specially trained dog that assists individuals with disabilities by performing specific tasks related to their condition. These tasks help the person navigate daily life with greater independence and safety. Unlike therapy dogs or emotional support animals, service dogs are trained to perform practical, task-oriented functions that directly mitigate the individual’s disability.

Examples of Service Dogs and Their Tasks:

Guide Dogs – These dogs assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired by helping them navigate safely, avoiding obstacles, and leading them through their environment.
Hearing Dogs – Trained to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing, these dogs alert their handlers to important sounds, such as doorbells, alarms, or someone calling their name.
Mobility Assistance Dogs – These dogs help individuals with physical disabilities, such as those using wheelchairs or walkers, by retrieving items, opening doors, or providing balance and stability for walking.
Seizure Response Dogs – Trained to assist people with epilepsy, these dogs can recognize the signs of an impending seizure and take protective actions, such as alerting the individual, fetching help, or staying by their side during and after the seizure.
Diabetic Alert Dogs – These dogs can detect changes in blood sugar levels and alert their handler before the person experiences a dangerous drop or spike, often through scent detection.
Psychiatric Service Dogs – These dogs support individuals with psychiatric conditions like PTSD or anxiety disorders by performing tasks such as interrupting harmful behaviors, providing deep pressure therapy during anxiety attacks, or waking someone from a nightmare.

Emotional Support Animals

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal that provides comfort and emotional support to individuals dealing with mental health conditions or emotional challenges. Unlike service dogs, which are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, ESAs do not require specialized training to perform tasks or assist with physical disabilities. Instead, their primary role is to alleviate symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other emotional or psychological disorders through their presence and companionship.

Key Points About Emotional Support Animals:

Emotional Support – The primary purpose is to provide comfort, reduce stress, and improve the emotional well-being of their owner.
No Specialized Training – They are simply present to offer emotional comfort and companionship, which can be a natural part of a pet-owner relationship.
Psychiatric or Emotional Benefits – often recommended for people experiencing psychological or emotional difficulties, such as those suffering from anxiety, PTSD, depression, or panic disorders. By providing constant companionship, ESAs can help stabilize emotions, provide a sense of security, and mitigate feelings of isolation.
Certification and Documentation – A letter from a licensed mental health professional stating that the animal is necessary for their emotional or mental health.

Therapy Dog

Therapy dogs provide emotional comfort, stress relief, and companionship to individuals in various settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and disaster areas. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are not trained to perform specific tasks for a single person but rather to offer therapeutic benefits to multiple people. They are often used in structured programs to support mental and emotional well-being.

Benefits of a Therapy Dog:

Emotional Support and Comfort – Therapy dogs help reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness by offering non-judgmental companionship. Simply petting or interacting with a therapy dog can trigger the release of “feel-good” hormones like oxytocin and dopamine, improving mood.
Stress Reduction – The presence of therapy dogs has been shown to lower stress levels, reduce blood pressure, and decrease heart rate. This is particularly helpful in high-stress environments like hospitals, workplaces, or schools.
Promotes Social Interaction – Therapy dogs encourage social engagement, especially for people who are isolated or have difficulty interacting with others. In settings like retirement homes or psychiatric facilities, they serve as a positive social bridge, helping individuals open up and connect with others.
Improves Mental Health – Therapy dogs can have a calming effect on individuals suffering from mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, or depression. They offer a sense of grounding and security, which can help people manage overwhelming emotions.
Aid in Recovery and Rehabilitation – In medical and rehabilitation environments, therapy dogs are used as part of treatment programs to motivate patients during physical therapy or occupational therapy. Their presence can encourage patients to participate more actively in their treatment and boost morale.
Support in Crisis Situations – After natural disasters or traumatic events, therapy dogs are often deployed to provide comfort and a calming presence to those affected, including first responders and survivors.
Enhancing Learning Environments – In educational settings, therapy dogs help reduce students' anxiety, improve focus, and create a more relaxed learning atmosphere. They are particularly effective in programs for children with learning disabilities or autism, where the dogs provide emotional stability and encouragement.

Service Dog

A service dog is a specially trained dog that assists individuals with disabilities by performing specific tasks related to their condition. These tasks help the person navigate daily life with greater independence and safety. Unlike therapy dogs or emotional support animals, service dogs are trained to perform practical, task-oriented functions that directly mitigate the individual’s disability. Service dogs are granted legal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), allowing them to accompany their handlers in public spaces where pets are typically not allowed, as they are considered essential for the person’s well-being.

Examples of Service Dogs and Their Tasks:

Guide Dogs – These dogs assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired by helping them navigate safely, avoiding obstacles, and leading them through their environment.
Hearing Dogs – Trained to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing, these dogs alert their handlers to important sounds, such as doorbells, alarms, or someone calling their name.
Mobility Assistance Dogs – These dogs help individuals with physical disabilities, such as those using wheelchairs or walkers, by retrieving items, opening doors, or providing balance and stability for walking.
Seizure Response Dogs – Trained to assist people with epilepsy, these dogs can recognize the signs of an impending seizure and take protective actions, such as alerting the individual, fetching help, or staying by their side during and after the seizure.
Diabetic Alert Dogs – These dogs can detect changes in blood sugar levels and alert their handler before the person experiences a dangerous drop or spike, often through scent detection.
Psychiatric Service Dogs – These dogs support individuals with psychiatric conditions like PTSD or anxiety disorders by performing tasks such as interrupting harmful behaviors, providing deep pressure therapy during anxiety attacks, or waking someone from a nightmare.