Not all of our clients have disabilities. Some are professionals who work with vulnerable, traumatized, or disabled populations.

If you are a therapist, counsellor, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, social worker, educator, first responder, or other kind of professional, you may be looking to raise your own facility dog.

Facility dogs may offer comfort to traumatized children, or may help them learn to read. They may snuggle with patients in therapy, or they may provide occupational therapy exercises for those with physical limitations.

We welcome professionals looking to raise and train their own facility dog.

Photo: A black lab listens to a picture book being read to her

From Puppyhood to Accreditation

Facility dog work is challenging and isn’t for every dog. We can help you find and select your future facility dog, and then raise them to their maximum potential.

Our intensive socialization classes and training programs will set your pup up for success.

Our accreditation program requires extensive temperament testing, and a high level of public manners and skill training.

Our puppy programs, remedial programs, and accreditation programs are individualized to you and your goals. We offer lessons via group and one-on-one training.

 

What’s The Difference Between A Facility Dog And An Assistance Dog?

Facility Dogs and Assistance Dogs are both types of service dog. Both of them provide an important service to people who need them. However, their jobs and their access rights are quite different.

Facility Dogs…

  • Belong to a professional who uses this dog in their workplace. They may offer Animal Assisted Therapy to clients or use the dog to identify bacteria like MRSA.

  • May be taught to offer companionship to anyone who needs them and invites them.

  • Work in a specific environment such as a classroom, a therapist’s office, courtroom or hospital.

  • Do not have access rights and must receive permission to work in a given location by their handler’s workplace/employer.

Assistance Dogs…

  • Belong to a disabled person who needs the dog to help them with day-to-day life. This can range from psychiatric support to medical alerts to physical assistance.

  • Are taught to focus on their own handler’s needs and resist distractions from other people.
  • Help their person in a wide variety of public places, from restaurants to grocery stores.
  • Are legally recognized as personal medical equipment and are protected under disability discrimination laws and specific legislation for guide and service dogs.

Why Get Accreditation For Facility Dogs?

While Accreditation doesn’t mean as much from a legal standpoint for a Facility Dog as an Assistance Dog, it can make all the difference to your place of work.

An accreditation from a respected organization can reassure employers, landlords, clients, and parents of clients that your dog is well-trained, has a safe temperament, and will not be a liability. It may also help you with your insurance.

While any dog may bite under extreme provocation, we ensure that the dogs we accredit are guaranteed to be sane and safe under normal and even highly stressful conditions, and have been trained to perform real jobs.

They are not simply well behaved pets. They are working professionals.