NEW Facility Dogs of America Facility Dogs

Available Facility Dog FROST

At Facility Dogs of America we believe in the incredible power of service dog partnerships to transform lives and foster connections. We also know that there are many types of canine partnerships that enrich the world around us. In this spirit, we’re excited to announce that we are now offering specially trained facility dogs for sale! These remarkable dogs are more than just pets; they are dedicated partners that provide emotional support, promote well-being, and enhance therapeutic environments. Keep reading to learn more about this exciting expansion and explore how a facility dog can transform your environment into a place of joy and healing! 

What is a facility dog? 

A facility dog is a highly and specially trained dog that partners with a professional to provide support to people in settings such as health care, education, first responder, and legal settings. These dogs are skilled in performing tasks that promote relaxation and emotional well-being, such as engaging in play, encouraging social interaction, and offering a calming presence during challenging times. Their unique ability to connect with people makes them invaluable companions in environments where support and healing are essential.

Some settings our facility dogs may work at include: 

• Courthouses, police stations, fire stations, and first responder settings

• Schools to support mental health and wellness, and classrooms for children with special needs

• Mental health settings with psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, guidance counselors, and other professionals

• Occupational speech and physical therapy centers, hospitals, and health centers

• Residential centers for the elderly or individual with disabilities

• Child advocacy centers, at risk youth centers, and victim advocate centers

What is the difference between a facility dog, therapy dog, service dog, and emotional support animal?

• A facility dog is highly and specially trained to partner with a professional to provide physical, psychological, emotional, social, and cognitive support to people other than the handler in a specific setting. A facility dog works in the same setting, for a minimum of 20 hours per week. A facility dog only has permission to work in their approved setting, and cannot accompany the handler in places of public accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A facility dog handler cannot get an accommodation to live in housing that does not allow pets under the Fair Housing Act.

• A therapy dog can work with an amateur or professional handler to provide primarily emotional support to people other than the handler in one or more of a variety of settings. Therapy dogs typically do not have a set work schedule, and can work even as little as a couple of hours per month. A therapy dog only has permission to work in their approved setting(s), and cannot accompany the handler in places of public accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A therapy dog handler cannot get an accommodation to live in housing that does not allow pets under the Fair Housing Act.

• A service dog is individually trained to provide tasks or work for their own handler that mitigate their handler’s disability. A service dog does accompany their handler in places of public accommodation, like grocery stores, movie theaters, shopping, medical appointments, and places of employment under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A service dog handler can request a reasonable accommodation to live in housing that does not allow pets under the Fair Housing Act.

• An emotional support animal can be any type of domesticated animal that provides emotional support for their own handler who has a disability. They do not have to have any kind of specialized training, their presence alone can provide emotional support. An emotional support animal cannot accompany the handler in places of public accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. An emotional support animal handler can request a reasonable accommodation to live in housing that does not allow pets under the Fair Housing Act.

  
  

What kind of training do facility dogs receive?

Facility Dogs of America facility dogs receive the same standard of care and training that our service dogs do. They are selected as puppies from reputable breeders by our professional trainers specifically for temperament traits suitable for work as a facility dog. Puppies are then raised in a highly structured environment by a professional service dog trainer, and receive intensive socialization, house training, crate training, and house manners training. Facility dogs complete the same Phase 1: Basic Skills and Phase 2: Advanced Skills that our service dogs do, and then they also complete Phase 3: Setting Skills and Phase 4: Setting Access Training. Phase 3: Setting Skills and Phase 4: Setting Access Training are geared towards the specific setting that each facility dog is intended to work in. All facility dogs are screened for health and wellness by a veterinarian prior to sale.

I’m interested in a facility dog, how do I get started?

In order to purchase a Facility Dogs of America Facility Dog, we require handlers to:

• Work directly with clients in a professional setting serving their population for a minimum of 20 hours a week.

• Provide proof of authorization and support from their employer and facility to receive a facility dog.

• Be the primary handler of the dog, providing interventions which promote improvement of physical, psychological, social, emotional, and.or cognitive abilities.

• Provide a safe, loving, healthy, and stable home for a dog, including the dedication to provide for the dog’s physical, psychological, and financial needs.

• Pass all four phases of the facility dog training program with the dog after the dog is placed, and submit a Veterinarian Health Check Form completed by their veterinarian including:

• a current copy of the dog’s Rabies Certificate

• documentation of current distemper combo vaccination (i.e. DHPP Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo)

• documentation of a negative fecal test within the last six-months (documentation must show the date test was determined negative)

• We further recommend obtaining General Liability insurance to ensure proper coverage for you and your dog while working in your setting.

  
  

For more information on our facility dog training program make sure to check out our Facility Dog Training Program page and fill out our contact form.