Facility Dogs
Our Facility dogs live and work with a professional who utilizes the dog to help people with autism or related disabilities meet their goals during either therapy sessions or school days.
ELIGIBILITY
Good Dog! Facility dogs are placed with professionals such as teachers, principals, and therapists who work in facilities serving children with autism and related disabilities. The handler is a professional who utilizes the highly trained dog to help children with autism and developmental disabilities meet their goals during therapy sessions or school days.
COST OF
A DOG
At Good Dog!, we’re committed to making life-changing service dogs accessible to all families in need. It costs an average of $32,000 to raise, care for, and train each dog and to provide lifelong education and support for each family.
We offer two pathways to cover these costs: a fee-for-service program and a fundraising program for professionals needing financial assistance. Professionals who can pay the full service fee or have access to state funding contribute $32,000. For those in our fundraising program, professionals are asked to raise $26,000, with Good Dog! helping to secure the remaining amount. Our goal is for professionals to receive their service dogs at little to no cost, so we offer individualized coaching and resources to support those who wish to fundraise. Fundraising is never required.
Please note that Team Training expenses are not included in the program cost. Families are responsible for covering their travel, lodging, transportation and food expenses for the five-day Team Training in Southern California.
HOW TO GET
A DOG
Our process starts with an application. You will be matched with a dog based on your facility and needs. Facility dog handlers must attend a 5-day Team Training in Southern CA.
Learn more about our full application process here.
APPLY FOR A FACILITY DOG
Benefits and uses of a Good Dog! facility dog include:
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Using the dog as part of the reward system
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Reading aloud to a dog, which research has shown can help improve reading ability
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Increasing confidence and self-esteem by teaching new commands to the dog
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Overcoming fears and developing more confidence around dogs
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Learning to interact with a dog, which promotes theory of mind and improved social skills
