ADOPTING A SAINT FRANCIS SERVICE DOG

Saint Francis Service Dogs is a not-for-profit, community-based corporation dedicated to increasing the independence and quality of life of persons with disabilities through the use of service dogs, hearing dogs or social dogs. After the dog and recipient are matched and compatibility is assured, the new owner will be given an extensive training period to learn how to get the most out of his/her dog.

Saint Francis dogs are trained in all of the essential house manners as well as to sit, stand, down, heel quietly, on and off lead. They come when they are called and play ball for exercise and fun. Service dogs pick up dropped items, carry packages, and steady their owners if balance is a problem. Hearing dogs alert to sounds such as an alarm clock, doorbell, smoke alarm, or oven timer. Social dogs are well-mannered companions and may be trained to do particular tasks. Saint Francis dogs are trained to ignore other dogs and friendly, or not so friendly, bystanders. The dogs will NOT be trained in any areas resembling protection and will be eliminated from the program if any aggression is noted during the training program.

All dogs are neutered, have had all of their inoculations and are free of heartworm or any other physical problems that would make their love a liability. Each dog is presented to his new home with all of the necessary grooming equipment and with a crate of his own.

The prospective owner pays a $25 non-refundable application fee, plus $200 upon signing ownership papers.

Following the training of the team, the dog will go home with the new owner and begin a trial bonding period. At the end of six months, if all is satisfactory and the dog and handler are working together, total and final ownership will be given to the new owner.


Service After Adoption

To insure that the dog/recipient team is working at maximum efficiency, a committee from Saint Francis Service Dogs (by appointment) will visit the home of the new team sometime within the first 6 months after adoption. If there are no problems, the Foundation will remain “on call” as needed.

The dog and/or recipient may return to the Foundation at any time the recipient feels the need for a refresher course, or would like additional training.

If, for any reason, the recipient is unable to care for the dog, due to illness, loss of desire or death, the dog must be returned to the Foundation to be placed with another applicant or to be placed in a proper pet home for permanent retirement. If the family of the recipient loves the dog and wants to be the retirement family, this will be acceptable, providing the terms of the foundation are met. Under no circumstances may the dog be given away to an unapproved home. The best interest of the dog must be served.

The dog’s primary trainer and all members of Saint Francis Service Dogs will be available to answer any questions and assist in any way that is needed by the new dog/recipient team.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADOPTION

Any individual may apply who has a disability that limits one or more major life activities and believes he/she would benefit physically, emotionally or socially from a professionally trained Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog, Hearing Dog or Social Dog.

The applicant must promise to:

1. care for the dog, exercise, groom and love him.

2. train with the dog until able to pass the certification required for adoption.

3. use the dog as intended. The dog will live in the house and sleep in the bedroom with the recipient and accompany him whenever possible. They will be constant companions.

4. return the dog to Saint Francis Service Dogs if the recipient decides not to keep him. In the event of serious illness or death of the recipient, the family will have the first right to keep the dog upon approval of the Foundation.

5. provide for the dog’s medical needs as necessary and send yearly veterinary check-up forms to the Foundation.

6. provide a safe, fenced enclosure adjacent to the home to exercise the dog off lead.

7. provide a home environment with the Saint Francis dog being the only dog living in the home. (Exceptions will be considered when a replacement service dog is needed.) 

8. reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of application and final adoption. The immediate family of the applicant must agree to this adoption and to the conditions surrounding the request.

Those interested may apply by  printing, filling out and mailing the completed application with a $25 check for the application fee to address at the bottom of the form.

   
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