Hi there! I'm quite familiar with CPL, as I volunteer with the organization. I can give you lots of reasons to enquire further with CPL. (I don't have any knowledge of the other organization, sorry!)
For the most part, CPL works with dogs that start their training around 9 weeks of age. The puppies are either born to dogs that are in CPL's breeding program or that are donated by responsible breeders whose lines CPL trusts. You're right that they use labs and goldens primarily. They also train standard poodles (I'm training one right now) and "doodles." I know there's a smooth-coated collie in training right now, so they will also use other breeds...their primary focus is to use dogs that have the right work temperament, have a strong physical structure (good hips), and have a projected working life of 8 - 10 years (remember that the training program itself lasts 2 years, and that's before the recipient even meets the dog...that projected lifespan is why many other larger dogs are not used in the program, as their life expectancy is not as long).
CPL's primary mission is to train dogs to work with people who have mobility issues. That spans a significant number of disabilities, from TBI, cerebral palsy, MS, arthritis, Parkinson's, etc. Recipients are mobile or in chairs. The dogs are trained to support their person, to retrieve items, to open and close doors, do laundry, turn lights on and off...and so much more! In addition, CPL has a small sub-specialty in training dogs that are able to sense a seizure up to an hour in advance. The dog alerts its person and ensures he/she is in a safe place when the seizure occurs.
Again, the training program takes 2 years....one year with a volunteer who houses the dog, teaches basic obedience, and takes it out in public every day. In its second year, the dog returns to the CPL kennel to work with a professional trainer on more sophisticated skills. As the trainer gets to know the dog, she considers the people who are on CPL's waiting list for a dog and starts matching the dog with the recipient who will best partner with it. She'll contact that person to say she might have a match. If possible, the person can travel to CPL to meet the dog. Otherwise, they work by phone, Skype, etc. Once the person is formally matched, the trainer will complete the dog's training by customizing skills to that person's need (a dog matched with someone in a chair, for example, will have different training from a dog matched with someone who's mobile...or a dog matched with someone who doesn't have use of the left side of his/her body will be trained to work solely on the right).
To complete the match, the recipient travels to CPL for an intensive three-week training program. Classes are seven days a week, mostly from 10 - 4. The recipient will learn a lot about how to ensure the health of the dog, how to groom it, how to work with it in public (lots of field trips), how to handle situations when they are denied access to a public site, etc. The recipient/dog team is tested at the end of the training program, and if all goes well, they leave together for home.
These training workshops occur twice a year...in June/July and in October/November. Training happens in groups, not one-on-one.
One of the most significant aspects of CPL's work (and where it stands apart from other service dog organizations) is its follow-up work. When a recipient goes home with a dog, CPL trainers work with that person for the lifetime of the dog. You're not left on your own to "figure it out." The trainers are in regular touch with you and act as an invaluable resource for the various questions/situations that will arise in a 10-year partnership. Sometimes, partners will need to return to CPL for further training...for example, if a formerly mobile person needs to move to a chair, the trainers will work with the team to adapt the skillset of the dog.
The average wait time for a dog is 6 months to 18 months.
Obviously, it costs CPL a significant amount of money to train each dog and offer lifetime support...approximately $24,000. Knowing that most recipients will not have that kind of funding, however, CPL asks each recipient for a donation between $1,000 and $3,000. Most recipients have fundraisers at home...perhaps through a church, sorority, neighbors, friends, family, etc., to raise those dollars. Lack of income will not be an obstacle to getting a dog.
If you end up using another organization, do be sure that its been accredited by Assistance Dogs International, as is CPL
thats an organization that works to ensure dogs are trained according to certain ethical standards.
Hope this helps!
All the best!
