What is a Facility Dog?

A Facility Dog is placed in residential or day-program facility to benefit the residents through enhancing emotional and physical well-being.

These dogs are trained to support residents in the facility that they are assigned to. They are not trained to support the residents for community access; therefore, are not trained to travel on public transport and support the recipient in public settings.

An example of a Facility Dog includes Frankie at Bear Cottage, NSW’s Children’s Hospice at Westmead Children’s Hospital.

Eligibility

  1. The facility must demonstrate the need for an Assistance Dog.
  2. All applicants must demonstrate the support and commitment of the management/board.
  3. Applicants cannot be considered without the approval/signatures of the above.
  4. The facility must provide a safe environment, ongoing care and meet all future expenses associated with the dog.
  5. All staff within the facility must undertake a basic dog handling course (provided by Assistance Dogs Australia)
  6. The facility must provide at lease one staff carer who will coordinate day to day care of the dog and must provide monthly reports to an Assistance Dogs trainer on the behaviour, welfare and activities of the dog.
  7. The facility needs to provide Assistance dogsAustraliawith quarterly  veterinarian reports on general health and weight.
  8. The Yearly vaccination, flea treatment, worming and heartworm control must be organised by the facility.
  9. Any change of carer must be notified to Assistance Dogs Australia and new contract completed.

To apply for a Facility Dog please contact Assistance Dogs Australia directly and we will send you the relevant application form Email: info@assistancedogs.org.au with the subject line ‘Facility Dog information’

 

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