FACILITY SUPPORT
What is a Facility Support Dog?
Facility Support Dogs are specially trained to bring comfort, companionship and support to people living in residential or day programs.
These incredible dogs help enhance the emotional and physical wellbeing of residents, creating a calmer and more positive environment for everyone. Each Facility Support Dog is carefully matched and trained to work within the specific facility they’re placed in, supporting the unique needs of the people they assist.
Facility Dog Overview
A facility is placed in residential or day programs to benefit the residents through enhancing emotional and physical well-being.
These dogs are trained to support residents in the facility they are assigned to.
- The facility must demonstrate a clear need for an Assistance Dog.
- Facility management must provide evidence of support and commitment to the program.
- A safe environment and long-term care arrangements must be in place, including responsibility for all ongoing costs associated with the dog’s care.
- All staff must complete a basic dog handling course, provided free of charge by Assistance Dogs Australia.
- One or more designated staff carers must oversee the dog’s daily care and submit monthly reports to an Assistance Dogs Australia trainer about the dog’s wellbeing, behaviour and activities.
- Quarterly veterinary reports (covering general health and weight) must be provided to Assistance Dogs Australia.
- The facility must arrange annual vaccinations, flea treatments, worming and heartworm prevention.
- Any change of staff carers must be reported to Assistance Dogs Australia, and a new agreement completed.
- Assistance Dogs Australia welcomes applications from all facilities, regardless of race, gender or religion.
Criteria
Expectations: Providing the dog with a secure and loving home and workplace, with a commitment to maintain the quality of training throughout the dog’s life.
Requirements of health and wellbeing are maintained including exercise and mental stimulation to support the benefits that accompany a well-trained Service Dog.
- The applicant must have an accepted diagnosis of a permanent physical disability.
- The applicant must be 12 years of age or older.
- The facility must provide services to individuals who would benefit from a dog.
- Must demonstrate need for canine interaction and have the potential to use dog in therapeutic capacity.
- All applicants must demonstrate the support and commitment of the management/board. Expression of interest cannot be considered without evidence os such support.
- The facility accepts that Assistance Dog staff will follow up placement in the first six months and then on a yearly basis (unless other support is necessary).
- Designated staff employed by the facility must manage the dog.
- This staff member must demonstrate proper canine skills and care.
- This staff member must provide a suitable home environment.
- This staff member monitors and promotes the facility’s provision of a clean, safe and well-maintained environment for the dog during working hours.
- Staff member has to undergo an initial training program and ongoing training as required.
- The facility/staff carer must provide monthly reports on the behaviour, welfare and activities of the dog.
- Provide 3-monthly veterinarian report on general health and weight. Yearly vaccination, flea treatment, worming and heartworm control where required.
- Change of carer must be notified to Assistance Dogs Australia and new contract completed.
Journey Flow
Submission of initial interest for an Assistant Dog
1
Information
Session
2
Application
Form
3
Suitability Assessment
4
Accepted onto Waiting List for dog matching
5
Retirement support and possible application for a Successor Dog
9
Long Term ADA Support & Follow ups
8
Placement Training Class
7
Pre-Class Preparation
6
Ready to explore the benefits of a Facility Support Dog?
We’d love to hear from you. Please contact us to learn more about the application process.