Facility Dogs

For Police Departments

Facility Dogs For Police Departments

Puppies Behind Bars provides facility dogs to police departments to assist with officer wellness and community policing. However, we do have conditions and a screening process through which we determine an appropriate match for one of our dogs.

Our application screening process is a result of nearly 30 years of experience of knowing what helps our dogs succeed and the quality of life they need to maintain in order to cope with the demands of working.

Since the application we receive will have been filled out and submitted by the officer selected to handle the dog, we wanted to share the criteria we’re looking for in a candidate in advance of your selection.

We also wanted to share some of the roadblocks and talking points we’ve run across with other departments who were incorporating a PBB service dog into their department.

BEFORE you apply, please download and read Information For Departments to Consider.

Department Facility Dog Application

To qualify for a facility dog, you must be capable of incorporating a dog into your working and private lives. Daily, off-leash exercise is essential, as is ensuring the necessary amount of time you can devote to having a dog by your side. 

  • After reviewing your application, we will begin the process of interviewing you and check references.
  • If accepted, you will join us for 14 days of training with the dog we have chosen for you.
  • Four months after this training, we conduct a home visit and will see you annually thereafter, to re-certify you and your dog as a working team.
  • For additional information, please contact: nora@puppiesbehindbars.com

 

Make a Donation

Puppies Behind Bars is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, tax I.D. #13-3969389, and donations are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law.

You may make a one-time donation in any amount you wish, or sign up for recurring gifts on a schedule that works for you.

For gifts in honor or in memory of someone:

If your donation is made in someone’s memory or honor, we will send a card to the designated recipient(s) acknowledging your generous donation on their behalf.

Please include the recipient’s mailing address on the online form. You can view an example of one of our cards here.

Prefer to donate a different way?

PBB offers many ways for you support our mission, including by phone and mail, and with memorial and matching gifts.

Click here to find one that works for you!

Order Your 2025 Puppies Behind Bars Calendars, Holiday Cards and Note Cards Now!

Once again we feature our classic images of our amazing puppies-in-training, their incarcerated trainers, and the first responders and veterans who benefit from our puppies. We’re also introducing 7 brand new new holiday card designs!