How to Apply | Saint Francis Service Dogs

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements, submit an application, and undergo a screening process before being approved as a candidate for a service dog. This process is designed to ensure that we can provide a dog that fits the needs of the candidates, and that a safe, healthy, loving home will be provided for the dog.

To access the application, please complete our eligibility screening below. If you meet our eligibility requirements, you will be directed to our full application.

Eligibility Screening:

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

What type of assistance dog are you looking to apply for?(Required)

Service Dog - for physical or developmental disabilities

Facility Dog - working in education, healthcare, assisted living, or courtroom settings

Emotional Support Dog

Psychiatric Service Dog

Guide Dog

Therapy Dog

Hearing Dog

some other type of alert dog

Saint Francis places professionally trained service dogs to assist people with a wide range of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, joint and/or muscular diseases, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other conditions. Saint Francis does not train emotional support dogs, psychiatric service dogs, guide dogs, hearing dogs, or any type of alert dog.

Please visit www.assistancedogsinternational.org. They have a database of accredited programs, and may have resources for you.

Do you have another pet dog living in your home?(Required)

Yes

No, I do not have any pet dogs

Applicant/Handler may not have a pet dog in the home, unless an exception is made due to age or sickness of the pet dog. Please contact our Services Coordinator, Kris Sorensen at ksorensen@saintfrancisdogs.org to discuss.

Are you looking for an organization to train a dog you already own?(Required)

Yes

Saint Francis Service Dogs does not privately train dogs. Our service dogs are raised and trained within our program and placed with people who have applied to receive a service dog.

Please visit www.assistancedogsinternational.org. They have a database of accredited programs, and may have resources for you.

Do you reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia OR within a 3 hour drive from our facility at 8232 Enon Drive, Roanoke, VA 24019(Required)

Yes

Is your facility located in the Commonwealth of Virginia OR within a 3 hour drive from our facility at 8232 Enon Drive, Roanoke, VA 24019(Required)

Yes

Saint Francis Service Dogs raises, trains, and places service dogs in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the area within a three hour driving radius of our facility at 8232 Enon Drive, Roanoke, VA 24019 at the time of application and final placement.

Please visit www.assistancedogsinternational.org. They have a database of accredited programs, and may have resources for you.

Do you the have minimum fencing requirement of 36’x12’x4’ or the ability to install fencing?(Required)

Yes

The fenced area must be easily accessible and connected to your home. Invisible fencing is not allowed.

Do you the have a fenced area of 36’x12’x4’ or the ability to install fencing?(Required)

Yes

This requirement is non-negotiable.

Invisible fencing is not allowed. The fenced in area must be easily accessible and connected to your home. Our partners must be able to open the door and let the dog out to toilet if the weather is inclement or the partner is not feeling well. Dog parks or common areas of apartment complexes do not meet this requirement. We understand that there are a variety of housing situations but we cannot compromise the health and safety of our dogs or partners.

Please visit www.assistancedogsinternational.org. They have a database of accredited programs, and may have resources for you.

Do you have the ability and willingness to travel to and from our facility in Roanoke, Virginia?(Required)

Yes

Applicants, Candidates and Partners are required to travel to our facility for screening interviews, Candidate Classes, Team Training, and yearly re-certifications.

Please visit www.assistancedogsinternational.org. They have a database of accredited programs, and may have resources for you.

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