amendment 1 - dogs.docx

Amendment 1, dated 7/29/2015, hereby addresses the following questions:

1. Should the numbers I fill in reflect the cost of a *single* assistance dog, or the total for the dogs we are planning to place with SMs/Veterans (under the grant)?

Answer: The proposed budget should include the direct and indirect costs associated with the estimated cost per assistant dog the organization expects to deliver from Oct 1, 2015 to Sept 30, 2016. This will provide the Gov't with the organization's proposed number of dogs, individual costs, and the total funding needs of your proposal.

2. Is there a suggested minimum number of placements suggested in order to apply for this grant? For instance, if we project 3 service dog placements with veterans or Service Members for the 2015-2016 year, is that a sufficient number of placements?

Answer: There is no suggested minimum or maximum # of dog placements, however, grants will be equitably distributed so one organization's proposal will not be funded all the available Gov't funding for this program. Example...if an organization estimated placement of 100 or more service dogs, that organization would likely be funded a lesser amount of suggested dogs to allow for other organizations opportunities for grant funding.

3. Can you explain how the funding is released to the grantee -- as a reimbursement for when a dog is placed with a veteran or Service Member?

Answer: All awardees will be distributed funds by Sept 30, 2015 covering FY2016 proposed expenses; however awardees. The gov't will expect each organization will spend grant awards exactly as proposed. All participating organizations must agree to Gov't auditing and a mid and full year expense reports are required by each organization detailing funding expenses.

4. In section IV Eligibility Requirements subsection 4, it states that the applying organizations need to be comparable to IGDF and ADI however we do not need to be members. However in Section X Deliverables 1(g) it states that the applying organization will be required to provide a statement of continuing commitment to IGDF and ADI standards.

Our organization far exceeds the standards of ADI and are not a member of ADI due to conflicting organizational ethics and our position regarding the mistreatment of ADI animals due to their training standards. Would a statement stating Alpha K9 will continue to meet or exceed IGDF and ADI standards satisfy this requirement?

Answer: Yes. A statement stating your standards exceeds IGDF and ADI standards will satisfy this requirement.

5. Also, while we always need funds to help get dogs, raise and train them, can these funds also be used towards education for the dog trainers? We specifically use the Karen Pryor technique of training, but very few of us are formally trained and I know our organization would like to provide that to the trainers that aren't. If you can let me know if this is one way these funds can be used, I would appreciate it.

Answer: Funds for this grant program are for expenses associated for the delivery of a service dog. Please fill out your application by describing in detail all expenses your organization incurs as part of the delivery of a service dog. If you determine this includes training fees for your trainers, please include and itemize in detail training fees as part of the overall cost of the delivery of a service dog x how many dogs your organization will deliver FY 2016. The grant committee will review and determine awardees and total award amounts.

6. Instructions for filling out the application...All responses to requested information on the grant announcement can be answered in any format. Expense reports should be included on a cost/funding form sent out as part of the announcement. Please contact grants.gov for questions about the cost/funding form. If in doubt, include your expense report as part of your overall proposal submission so you at least have it documented as part of your application.

7. Questions received after July 28, 2015 will not be considered and will be considered late.