Profile Facility Dogs

Circle Tail has provided dogs for adoption to qualified retirement facilities to make the institution more "homey". We also placed "Therapy Assistance Dogs" who live with qualified medical personnel at night and visits mental health facilities, nursing homes, and other similar types of facilities as their full time job with their person.

Please note that we no longer place trained dogs into retirement facilities. Although we feel facility dogs provide a needed service, we have decided as an organization to focus solely on our assistance dog program and dogs for adoption. We, at times, may be able to help provide dogs suitable for therapy work to qualified individuals in the medical field. Please contact us for more information.

Swann recently became a facility dog in a Hospice Center. They published pictures and an article welcoming their newest staff member!

Karat - Therapy Dog - Karat became a therapy dog and her guardian says she couldn't be a better dog for animal assisted therapy. A recent note says:

Things have been busy with Karat and I these days! Karat has been joining me at work for the past few months one day a week...and I'm sure you won't be surprised, but she is truly amazing! She has worked with many patients and has proven time and time again to be a perfect match for AAT.

The benefits Karat provides for the residents and patients are many! I work with many individuals who spend the entire week looking forward to Karat's arrival...along with many staff as well! Not only has she helped me facilitate patients reaching their goals, but she has helped to motivate patients who would otherwise not even participate in therapy. Her ability to encourage people and to bring joy to just about everyone who encounters her is like nothing I've ever seen! I can't begin to imagine working without her!

On a more personal note, Karat has brought so much joy to my life as well...I really can't remember what it was like without her. She fits into our family so well...her and Lucky (my other dog) are the best of friends and my fiancé adores her!

I just want to thank you again...and I feel like it will never be enough. Karat is wonderful...she has changed my life and career and continues to most importantly help a variety of patients meet physical and cognitive challenges and has improved their quality of life during a very stressful time. I just want you to know what a positive impact she has had on so many people!

I will continue to keep you updated as I know Karat's and my adventure has just begun!

Pax - Facility Dog - Pax joined another Circle Tail facility dog, Buddy, at a facility in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Pax is a golden retriever who came to Circle Tail as a family release along with another facility dog, Zory.

Pax and Buddy celebrated National Nursing Home week in June 2006. Pax was last seen helping the sheriff in High Noon. Sounds like he's fitting right in with Buddy and other residents.

Zory - Facility Dog - Zory joined the residents at a senior living facility in Kentucky in January 2006. Zory is a 7 year old golden retriever who came to Circle Tail as a family release along with another facility, Pax. After receiving some training in the prison program, she moved into a foster home and started her pet therapy practice and thoroughly loved it. Soon she was ready for the real thing.

Normally a bit reserved when first introduced to new environments, Zory entered the Kentucky facility with her head up and tail wagging. It was as if she decided she'd found the right home at last. Last seen, Zory was introducing herself to the residents of the Alzheimer's unit

Zeno - Facility Dog - Zeno, a 3 year old Golden Retriever, recently joined the residents at Beechwood Home in Cincinnati . From the minute she pranced through the door, she fit perfectly with the residents and didn’t give us a second glance when we left her in their fine care. Zeno came to Circle Tail in 2003. She received her training at London and Ross Correctional Facilities. She LOVES tennis balls (a bit too obsessively to make a good assistance dog). But her “golden” personality made her a perfect fit as a facility dog. Her fellow residents have promised to help her maintain her girlish figure by not giving her too many treats! She’s sure to bring hundreds of hours of pleasure to so many people.

Chance - Facility Dog (retired) - Chance is a 8 year old black Labrador Retriever who was found in a field in West Virginia and saved by Lab Rescue of Miami Valley. When he reached Circle Tail, he had heartworm and other parasites. Labmed, a nonprofit organization who provides medical care for rescued Labs, donated the funds to have his heartworm treatment. For four weeks, Chance was kept calm, house trained and received some basic obedience training at the Lebanon Correctional Institute. He returned to Circle Tail for evaluation as a facility dog. He passed with flying colors, and after some additional training, was placed as a facility dog at the Friend's Care Center in Yellow Springs, Ohio in November 2000. Chance is now retired living the life of luxury in a quiet home.

Skilo - Facility Dog - Skilo is a 7 year old 60 lb male Greyhound rescued from an abusive environment. For about a year, he was one of our pet therapy dogs. When we stopped pet therapy, he needed a new job. In March, 2001, he moved to his new home where he helps Alzheimer patients. He enjoys getting pets from the residents and staff. However, he hates the elevator, so he is giving the staff exercise using the steps!! When he is not "working", he can be found basking in the sun to relax.

Buddy - Facility Dog - Buddy is a Boston Terrier who was donated by a local breeder. He received some training at the Ross Correctional Institutions, but firmed up his obedience in a foster home. He is now buddies with Pax, his facility dog brother, in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He love to visit the residents to get belly rubs and thinks that the kids who visit are especially fun!!

Hailey- Hailey is a 5 year old Golden Retriever dropped off at a kill shelter with her 5 day old Golden/ Lab puppies. After weaning her pups, she began training to be a facility dog at the Chillicothe Correctional Institute. She finally found her dream job -- as our first Therapy Assistance Dog. She travels to work daily with Sharon, a social worker, whose daily routine involves visiting elderly, mentally and emotionally challenged people. She gets pets all day by anyone and everyone. One of her first missions was to help a patient overcome her fear of dogs... and with her calm sit and gentle, pleading look, she won the patient and everyone else over. To relax, she loves her rawhide chews.

Zolty- Zolty is a 5 year old Yellow Lab who was donated by Lab Rescue and trained at Ross Correctional Institute. She became our second Therapy Assistance Dog traveling to work daily visiting elderly, mentally and emotionally challenged individuals. She can't wait until she scoots up to everyone she meets in a sit waiting for pets... or better yet, used for therapy to play ball with. She thinks the perks of this job are the best!!! To relax, she still loves to play ball!

GiGi - 3 1/2 yr old Black Lab, donated mom to service dog, Tango. She resides at Wesley Glen Retirement Center in Columbus.

Updated!!!!

Shaeffer - Shaeffer is a 5 year old Black Lab who was donated by a breeder. "Schay", as the residents call her, resides at Bethany Lutheran Village in Centerville, Ohio where she provides hours of love and affection to the residents. All that hard work makes for a tired dog.... She is dearly loved by the residents and staff and couldn't ask for a better home.

Chaya - Yellow Lab

Tito - Tito is Beagle mix found as a stray. He received his training at Marysville and Ross Correctional Facilities. He was originally placed for adoption, but there wasn't much interest in him. Because of his happy-go-lucky nature, a volunteer decided to take him to a social outing where he happily interacted with new people. His career as a facility dog started that day. Tito now resides at a facility Englewood, Ohio. He is dearly loved by the residents. He even has a portrait painted on one of their walls! When Tito finishes socializing with the residents and pet rabbit, Velvet, he catches some zzzz's on the couch. What a life!

Sophie - Sophie is a 7 year old black lab donated by a breeder. She is placed at St. Leonard's in Centerville, Ohio where she is receiving daily pets from the residents.