– Partner Training Program

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Lion and Rick

Just as our Puppy Training and Advanced Training Programs train and prepare our dogs for service work, our Partner Program teaches, trains, and supports our partners so they have all they need in order to create a successful partnership with their new service or facility dog.

We do this by:

–Conducting thorough screenings of all applicants so we can be sure that we can meet their needs and goals.

-Offering our Candidates scheduled classes on a variety of topics that will help prepare them for life with a service or facility dog.

-Collecting information about each Candidate and conducting thorough matching interviews between Candidates and dogs so that we can make the best match possible.

–Training new Partners, alongside their dog, so they are well prepared to integrate their new service or facility dog into their life.

-Scheduling annual re-certifications so each Partner Team is still successfully and safely working together at home and in public.

Saint Francis’ Partner Program offers support and guidance throughout the entire process as well as throughout the lifetime of the partnership. We do this so the bond and strong working relationship of each Partner Team is encouraged and nurtured.

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Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicant must be seeking partnership with a service dog for support with a physical or developmental disability or a facility dog serving people with physical or developmental disabilities or in a courtroom setting.  We do not place emotional support, therapy, psychiatric, guide, or alert dogs.
  • Applicant must reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia and/or in the area within a 3 hour drive of our facility in Roanoke, Virginia at the time of application and final placement.
  • Applicant must have a fenced in yard with minimum dimensions of 36’ x 12’ x 4’ or the ability to construct a fence of these dimensions.  (This guideline does not necessarily apply to facility dog applicants.)
  • Applicant’s home must be a safe, healthy and loving environment for a dog to live in.
  • Applicant must demonstrate ability to provide for dog’s care monetarily, including feeding high quality dog food, providing for regular check-ups, purchase of flea and tick control, heartworm preventative, and any other medications, treatments or surgeries that may be needed.
  • Applicant may not have a pet dog in the home, unless an exception is made due to age or sickness of the pet dog. This guideline does not apply to service dogs already in the home or facility dog applicants.  
  • Applicant must show ability and willingness to keep service dog under control at all times.
  • Applicant must show ability and willingness to travel to Roanoke for screening, classes, interviews, 5-day training, and scheduled certification and recertification tests. Applicant must be able to pay for all travel expenses, including overnight stays during 5-day training (this includes in-town applicants). 

Founding Big Dogs

Mr. and Mrs. Jake Allison
Kenneth “Andy” Anderson and Dr. Marti Anderson
Mike and Carol Anderson
Dr. Timothy Andriano
Peggy Bizjak
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brunette
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Craver III
Ms. Jo Lynn Draper
Duffy Family Foundation
Mr. Peter Emch
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Finkler
First Four Petroleum LLC
Linda and Frank Foti
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Foti
Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co.
Dr. and Mrs. Paul Frantz
Mr. Ed Hall
Happy Endings Bar and Grill
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Milward

Ms. Mary Anne Mullins and Mr. Christopher Robinson
Ms. Yvonne Olson
Mr. and Mrs. John Olver
Ms. Elizabeth Parsons
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Petrine
Mrs. Emily Reynolds
Mike and Krista Sinnott
Mrs. Joy Davis Smith
Mr. Marvin Smith
Mr. Maury Strauss, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Strauss
Ms. Suzanne Thorniley
Varsity Landscaping and Grounds
Karen and Chuck Wakeford
Mr. and Mrs. Barton Wilner
Ann Marie and Reggie Wood
Ms. Dianne Woody