Therapy Dogs For Police Departments

Puppies Behind Bars is happy to gift therapy dogs to police departments to assist with officer wellness and community policing. However, we do have some 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 over 20 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 you’ve selected to handle the dog, we wanted to share with you 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 the following document: “Information for Departments to consider before selecting an officer to apply for a therapy dog from Puppies Behind Bars.

Apply For A Therapy Dog

To qualify for a therapy dog, you must be capable of incorporating a dog into your life. You must be able to provide a stable, safe environment for our dog, as well as love, exercise and food. Most important, you must be willing to become more independent and to work with a highly trained four-legged companion.

After reviewing your application, we will begin the process of interviewing you, speaking with your health care providers, and checking your references.
If you are accepted, you will come to us for 14 days of training with the dog we have chosen for you. Four months after this training is completed, we will do a home visit, and we will see you annually thereafter, to re-certify you and your dog as a working team.