Section 117.80 Animal Training and Care Program

Section 117

Section 117.80  Animal

Training and Care Program

a)         The Department may establish programs, such as the

"Helping Paws Service Program", in which committed persons may be

taught to train, groom, or board animals such as dogs, cats, and horses.  The

companion and service animal training operation may be either a not-for-profit

or a for-profit operation; the kennel operation shall be a for-profit

operation.

b)         The Department may work with not-for-profit charitable organizations,

such as the Clarence Foundation, in programs in which committed persons are

taught to train animals as companion or service animals for placement with

persons who are elderly or disabled.  For purposes of this Section, a disabled

person is one who suffers from a physical or mental impairment that

substantially limits one or more major life activities.  The organization will

obtain the animals for the industry operation to train and will subsequently

place the animals after they have been trained at no cost to the recipient.  The

animals will remain the property of the not-for-profit organization. Placement

of such animals may be terminated by the organization when there is no longer a

need for the placement or when it is in the best interest of the recipient,

animal, or organization. This program will provide committed persons with

marketable skills, save animals from euthanasia, and provide companion or

service animals to individuals in need.  The Department shall not accept any

fee for such training, but may accept donations or reductions in cost of

supplies or services for the animals while under the Department's care.

c)         The Department may establish a kennel operation in which

animals may be boarded, groomed, or trained for a fee.  These services shall be

available to departmental staff and to the general public

in need.  The Department shall not accept any

fee for such training, but may accept donations or reductions in cost of

supplies or services for the animals while under the Department's care.

c)         The Department may establish a kennel operation in which

animals may be boarded, groomed, or trained for a fee.  These services shall be

available to departmental staff and to the general public.

d)         Employees of the Department shall periodically visit committed

persons who have been certified as service dog trainers or animal care

professionals and who have been paroled or placed on mandatory supervised

release to determine whether the committed persons are using their skills as

certified service dog trainers or animal care professionals [730 ILCS

5/3-12-6].