Frequently Asked Questions

 Service Animals are: 

• Dogs
• Any breed and any size of dog
• Trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability

the American with Disabilities Act, under the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.  ADA.GOV  Exception, ADA does not oversee Service Dog's on air flights, please view Department of Transportation for information and requirements. 

 A facility dog is a specially trained dog that works with a professional in a non-profit or government setting. The dog must be trained to do specific, skilled tasks in a variety of different situations within the facility environment with multiple clients; it must be more than just a presence within the facility.  Facility Dogs do not have the same rights as a Service Dog, and it is unlawful to identify a Facility Dog as a "Service Dog". A Facility Dog serves the clientele, employees or community that the facility in which they work serves. Facility Dogs are allowed where they are invited and where they work. 

There are several jobs Service Dogs can do. Seeing Eye Service Dogs assist those with impaired vision, Mobility Serice Dogs assist those who have mobility struggles,, Psychiatric Services Dogs assist those with Bi Polar Disorder, PTSD, or Severe Depressive Disorder, and Medical Alert Service Dogs can assist those with Seizure alert or a change in blood sugar for those with Diabetes. 

Note: An Emotional Support Animal (ESA), is not a Service Dog and does not have the training or rights of a Service Dog. 

 Facility Dogs are allowed where they are invited and where they work. Facility Dogs can also go anywhere a pet dog can go.

• Alert with a nudge or lick to the hand to an upcoming panic attack
• Wake you from night terrors
• Create space in a crowded store or room
• Remind their handler to take necessary medications
• Find a door or an exit
• Provide pressure during a panic attack
• Alert to unhealthy or harmful behaviors

Service Dogs can go with their handler anywhere the public is allowed. A few exceptions are:

• Government Buildings
• Any sterile environments, such as an ICU or Lab
• Federal building or land (including Native American buildings, such as casinos)

You can legally be asked two questions:

• Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

They cannot: 

• Request any documentation that the dog is registered, licensed, or certified as a service animal
• Require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability

Because service animals are not required to wear vests, a dog that is wearing a vest is not necessarily a service animal. The dog still needs to be trained to perform a task for a person with a disability to be a service animal.

Facility Dogs offer many positive benefits to your organization and those it serves.  A well trained Facility Dog offers a welcome to your employees, volunteers and community. We have found canines to be a wonderful bridge between the general public and the Police Departments who employ a Facility Dog, we also know from experience that canines offer excellent care for mental health hazards for those in the medical field, seniors, law enforcement, fire and those civilians who may be a part of a critical incident. 

According to research published in Vol. 46 of Science Direct, February, 2022 : "
Facility dogs benefited staff's job-related morale and social climate and helped build rapport with patients and families. "

Other research published in May, 2023 by the National Library of Medicine found that    "The impact of HFDs (hospital facility dogs) in terminal care was ranked highest among the respondents. Similarly, HFDs increased patient cooperation for clinical procedures. The responses to these two items did not differ statistically depending on the respondents’ attributes. The results imply that patients were more cooperative even for highly invasive examinations and procedures with the support of HFD activities."

Overall, Facility Dogs help to bring down previous barriers in typical difficult transitions and situations. In addition, the morale of staff is brought up with the availability of Facility Dogs.

Service Dogs are out of reach for many. On average a highly trained Service Dog is $50,000. Althea Canines is working to make highly trained Service Dogs available to anyone who has a Mental Health Disability or needs Mobility assistance. 

In addition, our volunteers and lead members work to create a supportive environment that gives students that space to advocate for themselves. We work in small class settings and work to provide lifetime support to you and your canine partner, where you are. 

Our Trainers believe in creating a kind, respectful relationship between humans and canines for the best outcome. We follow LIMA guidelines and train through clear communication and positive training methods, relying on patience, gentle and quiet communication, and body pressure. We do not believe in punishing through striking, yanking, scaring, or e-shocking canines. 

Lastly, it is the goal of Althea Canines that every Law Enforcement agency, Fire, Senior and Educational facility have at least one highly trained Facility Dog on staff for staff and the community that they serve.