Uniting Facility Dog Teams. Advancing the Field.
A collaborative community supporting healthcare-based facility dog programs through education, resources, and connection.
What Is a Facility Dog?
A facility dog is a specially trained dog that works with a professional, such as a healthcare provider, therapist, social worker, prosecutor, or educator, to support people in clinical, educational, or legal settings.
Unlike a pet or a therapy dog that visits facilities with a volunteer handler, a facility dog is typically:
Professionally trained
For advanced tasks and behavior in complex environments.
Integrated into daily work
Part of a professional's working practice, not an occasional visit.
Handled by a trained employee
Such as a child life specialist, nurse, psychologist, or social worker.
Working toward an outcome
Used to help reduce stress, anxiety, pain, and trauma for patients, clients, students, or witnesses.
What is a healthcare facility dog?
A healthcare facility dog is a specially trained dog acquired through an assistance dog organization and handled by a healthcare professional to provide goal-directed interventions that support patient care, improve patient experiences, and enhance therapeutic outcomes.
Healthcare facility dogs are integrated into clinical practice and work alongside professionals such as:
- Child life specialists
- Social workers
- Nurses
- Psychologists
- Rehabilitation therapists
- Physicians
- Behavioral health providers
These dogs are not visitors. They are considered part of the healthcare team and are intentionally incorporated into patient care.
What do healthcare facility dogs do?
- Reduce anxiety before medical procedures
- Provide comfort during painful or stressful treatments
- Support patients experiencing trauma or grief
- Increase engagement in physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Improve motivation during rehabilitation
- Help patients regulate emotions during difficult conversations or interventions
- Support family members and caregivers during hospitalizations
Examples in practice
A healthcare facility dog might:
- Lie next to a child receiving chemotherapy
- Provide comfort during blood draws, IV placements, or imaging procedures
- Motivate a patient recovering from a stroke to practice walking
- Help a child discuss fears or feelings during a behavioral health session
- Support patients and families during end-of-life care
What makes it a program
Healthcare facility dogs are:
- Intentionally bred, raised and professionally trained by an assistance dog organization
- Carefully selected for calm temperament and reliability
- Handled by a healthcare professional employed by the organization
- Integrated into established clinical protocols and patient care plans
- Evaluated for infection prevention, safety, and patient welfare standards
About Us
Our Mission
To foster a community dedicated to the welfare, training, and responsible ownership of dogs while strengthening bonds between people through shared canine experiences.
Our Vision
A world where every dog has a loving home and every community is enriched by the presence of well-cared-for canine companions.
Our Values
Loyalty, trust, compassion, and community. We believe in the power of dogs to bring people together and create lasting positive change.
Support Our Mission
Your contribution helps us create positive change in our community
- ✓ Newsletter subscription
- ✓ Event notifications
- ✓ Community updates
- ✓ All Friend benefits
- ✓ Access to resources
- ✓ Member directory
- ✓ Discounted events
- ✓ Voting rights
- ✓ All Member benefits
- ✓ Recognition on website
- ✓ Exclusive supporter events
- ✓ Early event registration
Make a One-Time Donation
Every contribution makes a difference in the lives of dogs and their families.
Join Our Community
Become part of something special. Join fellow dog lovers in making a difference.
Member Benefits
- 🐾 Access to exclusive training resources and workshops
- 🐾 Connect with fellow dog enthusiasts in our member directory
- 🐾 See where fellow handler teams serve on our nationwide member map
- 🐾 Participate in community events and adoption drives
- 🐾 Voting rights in organizational decisions
- 🐾 Discounts on events and merchandise
- 🐾 Monthly newsletter with tips and updates
Membership Application
Ready to join? Click below to fill out our membership form.
Complete Application FormDemo form - Will be integrated with Jotform