Executive Director of the Courthouse Dogs Foundation Celeste Walsen shares the impact and ongoing mission of the organization. This episode explores the complexity of raising and selecting facility dogs and why these roles aren’t for just any dog. Celeste also shares the value of this training, and some of the legal aspects of working facility dogs.
Episode Highlights
2:34 – Ellen’s experience with raising service & guide dogs
4:05 – What’s the process like raising these dogs
5:15 – The transformation of placement
6:50 – Service organizations guidelines
9:00 – How Ellen & Celeste met
11:00 – Advocating for increased use of facility dogs
12:30 – International impact
14:00 – Helping facilities understand purpose bred dogs
16:00 – Why purpose breeding is important for working dogs
17:55 – The science behind selecting a dog that is biddable
21:20 – Why some dogs aren’t suitable
24:15 – Remembering the mission critical role these dogs play
26:00 – Genetics, Socialization, Training – The 3 keys to success
29:00 – Good temperament still may not make a reliable services dogs
31:00 – The value of accredited assistance dogs organizations
34:00 – Continuing the mission of the foundation
36:30 – Legislative support for facility dogs
38:25 – What we do & how you can help
41:50 – Facility dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs…what are the differences
46:30 – Educating people on the work of Facility dogs
48:15 – Jim shares the shifting roles dogs play in our society
50:05 – Training those working in a facility how to interact with the facility dog
52:00 – Navigating a facility as a handler
Definitions
Biddable – A variety of factors that determine if an animal is trainable
Career Change Dogs – The determination that a purpose bred dog would be better suited to serve in a program different than the one originally intended.
Therapy Dog / Emotional Support Animal – A pet dog that has some training by its owner and has been registered as a dog & can visit public places.
Service Dogs – Defined by federal law as a dog that is specifically trained as a dog to perform tasks to help one individual.
Facility Dogs – Expertly trained dog partnered with a human to facilitate a specific outcome for those that the dog serves.
Links To References
Canine Companions for Independence