Facility Dogs
Facility Dogs work with clergy, educational, mental health and health care professionals. Our canines help these professionals meet their client's treatment goals. For Better Independence Facility Dogs are bred, raised and selected for their superior temperaments. Our dogs are reliable, stable, and calm.
We match each dog's temperament to the needs of the program. These canines only have access to the facility for which they are trained. They do not have legal access to other public places.
Our Program is Unique
- FBI-AD dogs
live with our expert trainers. They are not kennel trained.
This ensures that our dogs have diverse socialization
skills.
- FBI-AD picks
only the best dogs for our program.
- Before
being placed, FBI-AD dogs have passed the American Kennel
Club’s Canine Good Citizen test (TM) and the Therapy Dog
International test.
- Upon
placement into your facility, a FBI-AD trainer accompanies the
dog and shadows the dog and handler. The trainer instructs
your employees on canine training, management and
specialized tasks.
- We supply free, lifetime follow up services.
Facility Dogs in Different Fields:
Education -
- teachers
- school counselors
- reading programs
- therapists
- social workers
- special education teachers
Pictured: Beth & "MAGIC" at a Read to Rover event
Health Care -
- Occupational Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Recreational Therapist
- Speech Therapist
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Social Worker
- Rehabilitation Specialist
Benefit of Facility Dogs in Education:
- These dogs
love their jobs and often put introverted and shy children at
ease.
- Dogs are
nonjudgmental and offer unconditional love. These
characteristics make children less inhibited. Reading programs
across the country prove that reading to dogs is fun and
motivates students.
- Facility Dogs
are part of a reward system. For good behavior, students can
earn special time with the dog to walk, pet, or play with the
canine.
- Dogs teach responsibility; children learn animal husbandry, dog training skills and positive interactions like rewarding the dog.
Benefits of Facility Dogs for Professionals:
- Dogs thrive on
human interaction and their presence brightens a facility.
- A canine
presence cheers patients, as well as visitors and staff.
- Institutional
settings can invoke feeling of anxiety and isolation for people.
With a wagging tail, the dog often eases these emotions.
- Facility Dogs
motivate clients. Interactions with a dog promote discussions,
and help a speech therapist meet her patient’s treatment goals.
- Throwing a
ball for a dog, grooming or petting a canine helps patients meet
their physical therapy goals.
- The presence of a dog in counseling sessions makes many clients feel less inhibited and helps open the lines of communication.