A facility dog is a specially trained dog that works with a volunteer or professional in a residential or clinic setting. The dog must be trained to do specific, skilled tasks in a variety of different situations within the facility environment with multiple clients; it must be more than just a presence within the facility. Facility Dogs and their handlers are trained to the same standards as Service Dogs. In some countries facility dogs do not have any public access while in other countries public access is permitted only when the dog and trained handler are directly working with a client with a disability.
Examples of Facility Dogs
Layla works with Emma who is a police office with the Peel Region. Emma does a lot of community police work and also helps women who have been trafficked, integrate back into society. When Layla enters a room she puts everyone at ease and even brings a normalcy to the day. She doesn’t judge and will work the room for whoever needs her. Facility dogs are also trained to give deep and light pressure. They are trained to do some skills that would be considered tricks but they are very important at putting children at ease. These include pushing buttons that say “I love you” “wanna play a game?” or “cookie please”.
Hugo is being trained to be a Hospice dog. Hugo can sense when someone is not feeling right and is very sensitive to peoples pain and emotions. He will sit in front of them to indicate that they are in need of special treatment. Hugo is still in-training but he will play a major role in easing a lot of grief, anxiety and distraction from the reality of all that Hospice is.
Journey, is being trained to be a READ dog (Reading Education Assistance Dog). She too has just begun her training but is already showing so much promise.
What is the process of applying for a Facility Dog?
Step 1: Complete the online application. All dogs in our program are owned by Partners with Paws for the duration of their life. This allows us to advocate for the health of our dogs.
Step 2: Once you have completed the online application you will need to submit all the documents on the document list. Only once we receive all documents on the document list, can we move to the next step.
Step 3: we will schedule a zoom call with the applications team.
Step 4: After the zoom call you will meet with one of our trainers for a consultation at your house.
Step 5: You will be invited to attend 4 group classes and fundraising events through our facebook page. The 4 group classes are part of the application process and are not optional. We are hoping that throughout our interaction you will become part of our ever growing family and community that you will want to join us at our fundraising events.
Step 6: It is impossible for us to determine an actual timeline with expected dates as it all depends on the availability of funds, puppy raisers and breeders. It is our goal though to cut the wait times as much as possible and we will try to keep intouch as much as we can throughout the process.
Graduating as a Partners with Paws team.
In Order to graduate as a Partners with Paws team you will need to pass the Public Access Test 3 times in 3 different locations. Locations will be decided by the evaluator. The evaluator is not looking to fail you but to ensure success of the team for the long term and the safety of the public. You may take the test as many times as you require but failure to some exercises will result in permanent disqualification.
On graduation you will be awarded a Partners with Paws Service Dog Vest. This vest is to be worn at all times when the dog is working. Partners with Paws does not allow custom vest and patches. *Even though there is no official certification in Ontario, you will be awarded a certification card that you can keep in your service dog’s vest should anyone ask.
After Graduation
You will be expected to attend monthly group classes held at the Breslau training center for the first year. Your pup will need to keep up on vaccination and annual health checks including bloodwork at the cost of the client. This must be submitted to Partners with Paws either by email or in person.
You and your superhero pup will have to renew your Public Access Test as follows:
Year 1,2,3,6,9 (it is expected that your service dog will retire at the age of 10. This will be decide at the 10 year mark and the process for replacement dog started.)
Failure to comply by any of the standards will result in the dog being removed from the client/handler.
Partners with Paws 