FACILITY DOGS

Facility Dogs, like MAPLE, are working dogs specifically trained to help more than one person in facilities like schools or hospitals. Unlike assistance dogs that serve one person, professionally trained facility dogs work with a trainer or handler to serve multiple people who need social interaction, recovery motivation, comfort, and/or a feeling of safety.

To learn more about the work that MAPLE is doing, watch this video!

How does a facility dog correspond with the PAWS mission of enhancing the quality of life and independence of people with disabilities?

We are excited about the opportunity to serve even more people and communities through PAWS dogs by introducing our facility dog program. Placing assistance dogs with people with disabilities will remain our top priority. When PAWS dogs cannot become assistance dogs, our goal is to find another working career that is right for them. One of these options is to place them as facility dogs, which will enable them to enhance the lives of many people and entire communities.

Facility dogs work well in the following environments:

Schools
Health care facilities
Residential care facilities
Counseling and mental health settings
Senior living homes
Funeral homes

Is a PAWS Facility Dog a good fit for you?

This letter from PAWS CEO, Michele Suchovsky, gives a detailed explanation of the PAWS Facility Dog program and how a dog might work in a school setting.

Read the letter HERE.

The Mary Free Bed Guild is one of the proud sponsors of the PAWS Facility Dog program. We are grateful for their generosity!

Apply for a facility dog!

Facility Dog Application

Name *

Address *

Address

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal

Country

Phone Number *

Email *

Why do you want a Facility Dog? *

Place of Employment *

Occupation *

Have you received approval through your place of employment for a Facility Dog? *

Please provide the name and telephone number of the approver *

What type of work would you envision the Facility Dog doing? *

Please describe your work facility and the physical characteristics of the client population served i.e. age, physical capabilities etc. *

Describe your typical workday *

Please describe the home environment where the dog will be living i.e. fenced yard, other pets at home, small children etc. *

Dog Background

Have you ever owned a dog?

Yes

Have you ever trained a dog before? *

If you have trained a dog before, please describe the type of training you do or have done

Have you ever attended an obedience class with a dog? If so, where and when was it?

Do you agree to crate train the dog? *

Do you agree to maintain the Facility Dog's obedience with a class or private instructor? *

Do you agree to provide daily exercise for the dog? *

Are you aware the the dog would need to reside with you in your home and that you are responsible for the dog's care, feeding, and health, both financial and physical? *

Is there a place in your work environment that a Facility Dog could be left for a short period of time to give it some down time to relax during the work day? *

Do you own your own home? *

If not, do you have permission from the landlord for a dog to reside in the home?

Are there any other dogs in the home or work facility? If yes, tell us about the dogs.

Dog Name

Breed

Age

Spayed/Neutered?

Yes

Have they lived with other dogs?

Yes

How do they behave with other dogs?

Add Another Dog Remove

Are there any animals housed outdoors?

If you have a current veterinarian, please provide their contact information

Do you consent to us contacting your Veterinarian as a possible reference?

Agreements (check acknowledgement of each) *

I understand that PAWS Facility Dogs are not suitable for placement as an Assistance Dog to work with a person with a disability. I agree, therefore, not to place a PAWS dog as an Assistance Dog, either on my own or through a third-party.

I understand that completing this application does not guarantee that I will receive a PAWS Facility Dog. I understand that PAWS matches each individual dog based upon the needs of the dog and the preferences of the adopting Facility. Therefore, placement is not based on the length of time an application is on file and there is not a way to predict if or when an appropriate dog may become available.

I understand that I am responsible for the transfer of the dog’s microchip into my name at the time of adoption including the fee to transfer the microchip.

I understand that it is my responsibility to keep PAWS informed of any changes in my application or contact information. If I am contacted twice about an available dog and do not follow through or deem that a dog is not suitable for my needs, my application will be removed from the waiting list and I must reapply.

I understand that my application will be kept on file for a two-year period. At that time, I will need to submit a new application to be considered for further adoptions that may become available.

To the best of my knowledge the information provided here is true and accurate. I agree to provide additional information upon request.

Please enter your full name as your signature *

If you are human, leave this field blank.