What to Expect | Saint Francis Service Dogs
The journey to partnership with a Saint Francis Service Dog takes time. From initial interest to matching interviews and placement can take months, a year, or more. As we believe that the key to success relies on a true partnership between person, dog, and us as trainers and supporters, there are many stages to our application and matching process. Each step helps us ensure that the partnership is safe and fulfilling for all involved, human and animal alike. Learn more about the process below.
The first step on the journey to partnership with a service or facility dog is our eligibility screening questionnaire, which can be completed here>
If you meet our eligibility requirements, you will be directed to our full application. At that time, complete and submit:
- application
- physician’s form
- letter of recommendation
- application fee
Once a completed application has been received, you become an official applicant for a Saint Francis service or facility dog. During this stage, we will review your application and the following activities take place:
- You and your family (if applicable) will attend a screening interview at the Saint Francis Facility
- A representative from Saint Francis will conduct a home/facility visit
- The Board of Directors will approve or deny the application
- If not already met, complete fencing requirements
- Attend Zoom Candidate Orientation
A Candidate is someone whose application has been approved by our Board of Directors. They spend their time as a candidate preparing themselves, their homes/workplaces, and support systems for life with a service or facility dog. The following activities take place:
- Attend mandatory Candidate Classes held at Saint Francis 4-5 times per year
- Attend matching interviews with potential dog partners at the Saint Francis facility
- Saint Francis determines appropriate match
Once a match has been made, Partner Status begins, and the remaining part of the journey is taken in preparation of working with your specific dog or with your dog by your side! The following activities occur:
- Attend Zoom Team Training Orientation
- Complete Google Classroom Training Modules at home before in-person Team Training
- Partner and dog complete five day Team Training at Saint Francis facility
- Our staff visits your home/facility for in-home training and final Team Training testing
- Complete six month probation period, while we offer ongoing support and follow up
- Pass certification test
- Saint Francis transfers ownership of service dog to the partner (this occurs at a later time for facility dog teams)
- Teams travel to Saint Francis once a year for re-certification
- Saint Francis provides support throughout the lifetime of the partnership
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about this process, visit our FAQs page or contact our Services Coordinator, Kris Sorensen at ksorensen@saintfrancisdogs.org or 540-342-3647 ext 410.