FSD FACILITY DOGS

A facility dog is an expertly trained dog who is partnered with a mental health or public safety professional to provide therapeutic support in a residential, educational, or clinical setting.

These extraordinary dogs are purpose bred and custom trained to perform specific, skilled tasks in a variety of situations with multiple clients within a facility environment. Their skills are used to build rapport and engagement between the professional and the public, as well as promoting comfort, joy, and stress relief to individuals or communities within a specific environment.

Facility dogs and their handlers receive expert training and ongoing support services from Freedom Service Dogs throughout the dog’s career.

FSD Facility Dogs work in a variety of facilities, including:

  • Schools/classrooms, handled generally by a school resource officer, licensed clinical therapist, school psychologist, or special education teacher 
  • Hospitals and medical centers that provide peer support services to first responders and other medical professionals 
  • Public safety departments, such as police or fire departments
  • Clinical therapy offices
  • Courthouses

How FSD Facility Dogs help:

  • Processing traumatic events
  • Lessening impact of job-related stress
  • Creating positive interactions with those served and community as a whole
  • Building rapport and engagement between individuals/community, and professionals
  • Providing affection and comfort in anxiety provoking situations
  • Making difficult topics easier to explore by applying parallels with the dog
  • Working alongside their handler as a team to improve lives

 

PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand, we are only able to accept inquiries from mental health professionals for facility dogs at this time.

Please check back periodically to see when we will resume accepting inquiries for other types of facility dogs. In the meantime, you may wish to explore other Assistance Dogs International (ADI)–accredited organizations as an additional resource.

submit inquiry form

Questions? Contact [email protected] or 303-922-6231.