• Facility dogs (like Mac & Cheese) are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals but in a variety of settings such as schools, doctor offices, afterschool programs, and much more. They are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which allows them to go places where animals are typically forbidden.
• Service dogs are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with disabilities and are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means they have full public access rights or, in other words, are allowed to go places where animals are typically forbidden.
• Therapy dogs are trained to provide affection, comfort and support to people who need it. Although their work is equally important as Service and Facility dogs, they are not protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act and don’t have the same legal right to access in public spaces.

We sure are! We were born on December 5, 2022, to mom, Sadie, and dad, Magic of Piqua, Ohio

• Calming and Redirection We will give deep pressure to provide to reduce anxiety and redirect (visit, lap, squish)
• Motor Skills and Modeling We will promote the use of fine motor skills and physical rehabilitation (crawl, fetch, spin, grooming)
• Learning and Communication We will remain in position for therapeutic and communication purposes (down, settle, stay, stand)

We will work with our professional colleagues for a minimum of 20 hours per week in various settings such as our Therapeutic Preschool, Outpatient Counseling Center, afterschool programs and in the homes of clients receiving services.

I, Mac, live with my Human (aka Handler & Mom) Aimee Kolick who is also the Executive Director of Family Resources and creator of FURiends. Cheese lives with his Human (Handler & Mom) Nina Wiebalk who is the Manager of the FURiends program. Both of us are surrounded by multiple fur siblings in our homes and lots of love from our Humans.

We, along with our Humans, will need to complete 150 hours of “formal training” under the guidance of their trainer who is certified by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and Family Dog Mediation. Although every dog is unique, we are expecting to take our Public Access Test between the age of 2-2 ½ years old.

We have been trained to remain under our handler’s control at all times.

• We have been fully vaccinated and do not pose a health threat to other people or animals.
• Our humans and handlers have been trained to ensure that we can access public areas occupied by other people and animals. We will be unobtrusive to the public and will not pose any public hazards.
• We can enter and exit any form of transportation (including public transportation and cars) in a safe manner.
• We can ride in any form of transportation (including planes, trains, and cars) in a controlled manner.
• We can navigate parking lots safely.
• We will not interact with other people unless instructed to do so.
• We will not lick or closely sniff food or other items in a market or store.
• We will not bump into shelves or interact with merchandise in a store.
• We can enter buildings in a controlled manner.
• We can perform our job or task despite distractions encountered in public environments.
• We can hold a sit, down or stand stay on cue for at least 30 seconds.
• We come on cue from six feet or greater.
• We will focus on our handler on cue.
• We do not act inappropriately when touched by a stranger.
• We can ignore, greet, or get out of the way of a stranger.
• We can walk past and leave food that is on the ground.
• We will not beg or attempt to eat or sniff food on the floor or tables if in a restaurant.
• We can enter and exit elevators and ride up and down without any issues.
• We can perform our job or task even in the presence of other animals.
• We can enter public restrooms without causing a disturbance.
• We have been trained to interact with other dogs and people in a calm and inviting manner.
• We will not bark excessively, unless task-related, or act aggressively toward any dog or person without extreme provocation, such as being attacked by another dog.
• We will not jump or lunge on other people or animals.
• We will not urinate and defecate in appropriate areas.
• We may acknowledge nearby noises but will not in any way show aggression or fear (other than a normal startle reaction).
• We will not become aggressive or fearful due to noise or distractions in public environments.