Dog Vaccination Requirements at Elevate Dog Center

Keeping Dogs Safe While They Train, Board, Play & Swim

At Elevate Dog Center in Tucson, Arizona, the health and safety of every dog in our care is a priority. Dogs participating in our boarding, dog training, Day School, dog sports, swimming, and dock diving programs may be in environments where they interact with other dogs, people, shared equipment, or common spaces.

Vaccination requirements help us reduce the risk of contagious diseases entering and spreading throughout our facility.

Required Vaccines

Dogs participating in applicable services at Elevate Dog Center must be current on:

DAPP – Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza & Parvovirus
Rabies
Bordetella
Leptospirosis

Canine Influenza is highly recommended.

All required vaccines must be administered by a licensed veterinarian, and current veterinary records must be provided to Elevate Dog Center. Vaccination requirements may vary depending on your dog's age, medical history, and the service they are participating in. Please contact us with questions before your reservation or program start date.

Why Do We Require Veterinarian-Administered Vaccines?

We know pet owners have several options for purchasing vaccines. However, Elevate Dog Center requires our vaccines to be administered by a veterinarian. There are several important reasons for this policy.

Proper Vaccine Storage & Handling

Vaccines are biological products that must be stored, transported, prepared, and administered correctly to maintain their effectiveness. Many vaccines require strict temperature control throughout transportation and storage. Improper handling or temperature exposure can potentially compromise a vaccine. Veterinary clinics have established procedures for receiving, storing, monitoring, and administering vaccines appropriately.

Proper Vaccination Timing

Vaccination isn't simply about receiving an injection—the timing of vaccines and boosters matters. Puppies may require a series of vaccinations as their immune systems develop, while adult dogs require boosters according to veterinary recommendations and the vaccine being used. Your veterinarian can determine an appropriate vaccination schedule based on your dog's age, health, previous vaccination history, lifestyle, and risk of exposure.

Veterinary Documentation

Requiring veterinary records gives our team a reliable way to confirm which vaccine was administered and when it was given. This is particularly important in a facility where dogs may participate in boarding, training, group classes, swimming, dock diving, or other activities around dogs from different households.

DAPP Vaccine

The DAPP vaccine protects dogs against several serious infectious diseases. DAPP generally provides protection against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirus, and canine parainfluenza virus.

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is a serious and highly contagious viral disease that can affect a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are particularly vulnerable. The virus can also infect several wildlife species, making exposure possible beyond direct interactions with other domestic dogs.

Canine Adenovirus

Canine adenoviruses can cause significant disease in dogs.

Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) is associated with infectious canine hepatitis, while canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) is primarily associated with respiratory disease and can contribute to the group of illnesses commonly referred to as kennel cough or canine infectious respiratory disease complex.

Canine Parainfluenza

Canine parainfluenza virus is a contagious respiratory virus and one of several pathogens that can contribute to canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), commonly called kennel cough. Canine parainfluenza and canine influenza are different viruses. Vaccination against one does not provide vaccination against the other.

Canine Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus, commonly called parvo, is highly contagious and can cause severe gastrointestinal illness.

Puppies and inadequately vaccinated dogs are at particularly high risk. Parvovirus is especially concerning in environments with multiple dogs because infected dogs can shed the virus in their feces. Contaminated environments, equipment, shoes, hands, and other objects can contribute to transmission. The virus is also capable of surviving in the environment for extended periods under appropriate conditions. For a dog boarding, training, or sports facility, preventing the introduction of parvovirus is extremely important.

Bordetella Vaccine

Bordetella bronchiseptica is one of several pathogens associated with canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), commonly called kennel cough.

Respiratory infections can spread quickly anywhere dogs gather, including:

Boarding facilities • Training facilities • Dog shows • Dog sports • Grooming facilities • Daycare • Veterinary hospitals

While many respiratory infections are relatively mild, some dogs can develop more serious complications. Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with underlying health conditions may be at greater risk. It's also important to understand that Bordetella vaccination cannot prevent every cause of canine respiratory disease, because kennel cough/CIRDC can involve multiple bacterial and viral pathogens.

Vaccination is one part of our overall disease-prevention strategy.

Leptospirosis Vaccine

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can affect dogs and people.

Dogs may be exposed to Leptospira bacteria through environments contaminated by the urine of infected animals. Potential exposure can occur through:

Standing water • Puddles • Soil • Wildlife • Rodents • Farm animals • Other infected animals

Dogs do not need to live on a farm or spend their lives hiking in the wilderness to encounter potential sources of exposure. Because dogs at Elevate Dog Center may participate in outdoor activities, training, sports, swimming, and other forms of enrichment, Leptospirosis vaccination is required for applicable services.

Rabies Vaccine

Rabies vaccination is required.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including dogs, wildlife, and humans. Because rabies is a serious public-health concern, vaccination requirements are also governed by state and local laws. Please provide current veterinary documentation of your dog's rabies vaccination before participating in applicable Elevate Dog Center services.

Canine Influenza Vaccine – Highly Recommended

Although it is not currently listed among our standard required vaccines, Canine Influenza vaccination is highly recommended. Canine influenza, sometimes called dog flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by canine influenza viruses. Transmission can occur through respiratory droplets and secretions, direct contact between dogs, contaminated objects and surfaces, and people moving between infected and uninfected dogs. Dogs participating in activities where they regularly encounter other dogs may have greater opportunities for exposure. Talk with your veterinarian about your dog's individual risk and whether the canine influenza vaccine is appropriate for them.

Why Vaccination Matters at a Dog Boarding & Training Facility

No vaccine or disease-prevention protocol can eliminate every possible risk of illness. However, appropriate vaccination, veterinary care, cleaning and sanitation procedures, careful observation, and responsible facility policies can work together to reduce the risk of infectious disease. At Elevate Dog Center, our vaccination requirements aren't meant to make things difficult for owners. They're designed to help protect your dog, the other dogs in our care, and our team. Whether your dog is joining us for dog boarding, training, Day School, swimming, dock diving, group classes, or dog sports, we want them to have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Questions About Your Dog's Vaccines?

If you're unsure whether your dog meets our vaccination requirements, please contact Elevate Dog Center before your reservation, training program, or appointment. Our team can review your dog's records and let you know what documentation is needed. For medical questions about which vaccines are appropriate for your individual dog, please consult your veterinarian.