Question 1

What is a Facility Dog?

Accepted Answer

A Facility Dog is type of working dog trained to provide animal assisted intervention in an education, healthcare, non-profit, judicial/governmental, or corporate facility. These dogs are trained to work in a facility with a full-time handler who is employed by the facility. Facility Dogs serve multiple people in the facility, for example, a facility dog might work in specific clinics providing support for children who are getting their labs drawn for diagnosis. Facility dogs are  “employees” at the facility in which they work. They come to work with their handler and partner with that employee to serve the adults and children at the facility.
Facility dogs are expertly trained to do many tasks that support the people they serve. Their handlers are trained to work with the Facility Dogs on a daily basis, making sure that the dogs are well cared for, get breaks, and stay committed to continual training. The Facility Dog lives with its handler. FIDOS requires that facilities designate co-handlers that also train to also work with the Facility Dog as part of the overall support team.

Question 2

What does a Facility Dog do?

Accepted Answer

A Facility Dog can be trained to do many things and its skills may vary based on the eventual placement. At minimum, these dogs exhibit high level obedience skills and provide unconditional love; they may also be trained to pick up items, perform deep pressure therapy, and jump up on an exam table. Their skills vary depending on the final placement in a healthcare, education, non-profit, or corporate setting and the types of interventions in which they will participate. Some dogs may be trained to put their head in the laps of children while they read. Other dogs will be trained to provide love and ease anxiety for students during testing and/or counseling. While there are no formal requirements of a Facility Dog, we have a rigorous training program and also partner with local dog trainers that use force-free, positive reinforcement training philosophies and who are certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT), the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession.

Question 3

How is a Facility Dog different than a Service Dog?

Accepted Answer

According to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), “a service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability”. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability. Under the ADA, state and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed to go (ADA 2010 Revised Requirements: Service Animals).
A Facility Dog is placed at a location/facility and is trained to do many tasks and interacts with multiple people during their workday. For example, a Facility Dog working at an educational facility may visit with children with learning differences as they work on their lessons to love, motivate, calm, and interact with the children.

Facility Dogs do not have public access under the Americans with Disabilities Act; therefore, Facility Dogs can only go where dogs are permitted and where permission has been granted by the facility.

Question 4

What types of dogs does FIDOS use?

Accepted Answer

FIDOS’ breed of choice is the standard poodle. We love their overall temperament, intelligence, loyalty, and their low or non-shed coat, which reduces potential allergic reactions.

Question 5

Where do FIDOS Facility Dogs come from?

Accepted Answer

We partner with responsible breeders to obtain healthy dogs with great temperaments. All our dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club and have completed genetic testing. FIDOS' future breeding program will allow us to continue providing high quality, healthy dogs to our recipients.

Question 6

Is there a cost for a FIDOS Facility Dog?

Accepted Answer

Organizations interested in obtaining a FIDOS Facility Dog will make a donation to FIDOS’ that covers the initial cost of the dog, food and treats, veterinarian services, insurance, grooming, and training. This cost is estimated to be $35,000; however, the donation amount for our dogs is currently $15,000. Monthly costs post-placement are estimated to be $300-$500. 
There are many ways to fundraise to support your goals of having a Facility Dog. FIDOS also has a scholarship fund that some organizations may qualify to fund a portion of the overall donation

Question 7

What types of places can FIDOS Facility Dogs be placed?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare facilities (e.g., inpatient and outpatient hospitals, doctor’s offices)
Education facilities (e.g., universities and colleges, private and public K-12 schools, other non-profit organizations offering educational services)
Non-profit organizations serving special populations (e.g., physical, intellectual, and mental health facilities)
Libraries
Corporate facilities (e.g., law firms; businesses)
Government facilities (e.g., police departments, health departments, courts)
Funeral homes

Question 8

Does having a Facility Dog preclude other types of animal assisted therapy at my facility?

Accepted Answer

Having a Facility Dog does NOT preclude having other types of animal assisted therapy at your location. For example, other animals may visit the facility and offer their services to patients, students, etc. The difference is that many of the volunteer animal assisted therapy organizations have specific days that they visit the facility. The Facility Dogs are present during the work week and their handler works at the facility. Both types of therapy animals can provide many benefits to the people they serve.

Question 9

What is the Application Process?

Accepted Answer

It takes 18-24 months on average to train a Facility Dog and we begin that process at 8-10 weeks of age! Applications are taken on a first come, first serve basis. We currently have a wait list for our dogs. If your organization is interested in applying for a FIDOS Facility Dog, please set up a teleconference or in-person meeting with FIDOS Facility Dogs representatives to obtain a checklist and if interested, an application. All applications must include a $300 non-refundable deposit. We can help you determine the best option for incorporating animal assisted intervention into your organization. Contact Kelly Schaeffer at Fidosfaciltydogs1@gmail.com or 205-354-3285.

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