All dogs no matter what there role in life need consistency in their care and attention and this is the biggest problem and the main reason why facility dog placements break down. The staff change and the dogs do not have one or even a few key people giving them consistent care and attention. Everyone has different expectations and given the number of staff that many of these places can experience that can cause huge issues, not to mention the need to continually monitor the residents around the dog. No dog is bite proof and like you never leave a child alone with a dog for even a second, nor should you be leaving someone with a severe developmental disability alone with a dog. It is also crucial for dogs to have a place where they can go for time out and that you can guarantee that no one will try to interact with them when they are there, and that they can get to that place at all times no matter what. You have to consider how you will ensure the dogs needs if it is sick or injured and needs time out to recover, etc, etc.
The best way I have seen facility dogs work is when they live with a staff members family, usually the manager or something and they go to work with that staff member each day. The dog is able to have days off if needed, and to be guaranteed to be left alone if they are sick or injured or whatever. They have a bed/crate in the managers office and are able to get to that place if needed. They can be around the residents of their own free will, taken for walks by staff, etc, etc, but also has one main human who is resposnsible for them, and a home that they truely do belong to.
In the situation of a group home I would consider either a cat living in, as they are independent creatures and really do not bond the way dogs do, and/or a visiting therapy dog team or teams to help all the clients and not just the one woman in this situation.
I disagree with the idea that service dogs should never have contact with anyone except for its handler. Sure I am the most important person in Brooke's life, but taht does not mean that I would enve allow others to interact with her. WHen freinds and family visit she is off duty and is free to be a dog, and to play with them, etc, and with their pets, etc. This has never ever impeded her ability to ignore other people and the termpatatins they try to place in front of her. Teh simple fact to her is that her food is her food and it is in ther bowl and/or my hand, not someones elses. ANd since her food is not a cheeseburger, frech fry or whatever then she will not acceopt it ,even if offered to her. I do not need to command her to leave it, or ask people to leave ehr alone, she is working and that is nto her food, end of story. To me it is about rescect fo r the dog. I allow her to choose if and when she wants to interact with people when she is off duty, but to the same degree that is also what she expects. She gets annoyedto some degree when she has hands all over her in public. she has a job to do and wants to foucs on that job but once at home, I feel she should be able to be a normal dog. I would also fear that if no one other than me did interact with her, then how would she cope when I am ill or injured and unable to care for her. Sure I am her ultiamte leader, but that does not mean that she is incapeble f interacting with and enjoying the company and compansionship of other people.
