Potential Facility and Therapy puppies will be bred in the summertime
VIP Dog Teams Puppy Placement and Training
Choosing the Right Pup
Our VIP Trainers will select the perfect pup based on your needs, conducting formal temperament testing at 7 weeks. Pups go home at 8 weeks old.
Facility Dogs
Are you a professional such as a school counselor, speech teacher, first responder, firefighter, or police officer looking for a facility dog? We’ll match you with a pup suited to your lifestyle and job requirements. Apply for Fire or Police peer support dog here.
Apply for a School Facility dog here.
Puppy Raisers
Want to support first responders or schools by raising and training a facility dog? Once trained, the pup will move on to its new job. Learn more about becoming a puppy raiser by clicking the link.
Therapy Dogs
Interested in forming a therapy team to work in the community? Our therapy dog potentials are available for adoption to individuals committed to community service.
To fill out the puppy application Click here
Great Pets
Occasionally, we have pups available for adoption as great pets. Fill out the puppy application here.
Donation and Training
A $3000 donation is required for each puppy (excluding Baxter & Bella), helping us continue to raise and train more facility and therapy dogs.
Training Program
Classes: Includes Puppy 1 & 2, CGC, CGCA, Public Access, and therapy prep, spanning 1.5 to 2 years.Supplement: Subscription to Baxter & Bella’s online training program.Cost: Training classes are a reduced fee for those training for facility work. The first puppy class is required AND included in the donation.
Starting the Journey
Puppy classes start one week after the puppy goes home. A preparatory Zoom meeting will be held to ensure a successful transition.
Questions?
Contact us at [email protected] for more information.
See our blog post; Ethics of breeding and puppy raising
At VIP Dog Teams, we carefully select Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Goldendoodles, and Labradoodles for our facility and therapy dogs. Here's why:
Labrador Retrievers: Known for their adaptability, ease of training, and strong desire to please.
Golden Retrievers: Renowned for their friendly nature and intelligence.
Poodles: Highly intelligent, easy to train, quick to please, and hypoallergenic, making them ideal for mixing with Labs and Goldens to create low-to-no-shed dogs.
All our dogs are specifically bred for temperament, gentleness, and soundness.
VIP Dog Teams began breeding dogs to address the lack of reputable, ethical breeders and suitable dogs for facility and therapy work. Our head trainer, Nancy, brings her experience as a NICU/OB nurse and extensive knowledge in genetics, health, and puppy whelping to our program.
Facility and therapy dogs must be incredibly tolerant, low-to-medium energy, patient, and friendly to handle the demands and stress of their roles. We did not start breeding to make money but to ensure the availability of dogs with the right qualities.
Our foundation dogs come from well-respected, ethical breeders. They undergo rigorous health clearances, training, and temperament testing, including DNA analysis, OFA’s Penn Hip, cardiac, and eye exams, before being considered for breeding. We only breed dogs that pass these extensive tests.
We use the Puppy Culture program to raise our puppies, setting them up for success from birth. Our commitment extends to careful screening of puppy applicants and providing ongoing support for new owners.
When applying, let us know if you're interested in a puppy raiser role, a facility pup prospect, or a therapy pup prospect. Occasionally, we have puppies that make great pets, so inform us if that interests you.
At 7 weeks, we test the litter to assess each puppy's potential. We'll match you with the puppy best suited for the job you need it to do and your family's lifestyle.
For more information, please contact us at [email protected]
Mia
Meet Mia: CGC, Certified Therapy Dog
Breed Multigenerational Australian Labradoodle
DOB:2/10/22
Adult weight 27lbs
Mia is a social butterfly. She loves to meet new people. Adults, kids, elderly she just wants attention and pets from everyone. Mia is a large mini/small medium size non shedding dog. She has 2 furnishings making her an excellent choice for those looking for a hypoallergenic option.
Penn Hip Distraction Index
Rt DI=0.53 Lft DI 0.50
OFA Elbows negative for elbow dysplasia
OFA Cardiac =normal cardiovascular exam
OFA CAER=normal clear to breed
Embark DNA= Clear of all breed related genetic diseases, one copy of CDDY/IVDD
Lily
Meet Lily: CGC, Certified Community Therapy Dog
Breed: Multigen Australian Labradoodle
DOB: 4/9/23
Adult Weight: 27 lbs
Lily embodies the best qualities of an Australian Labradoodle: she’s friendly, intelligent and a snuggle bug. She is a true love.
As a certified community therapy dog, Lily volunteers with her handler, Kelly, in programs like the Boys & Girls Club Pup Club reading program As well as out high risk school kids programs. Lily settles comfortably on her blanket, providing a non-judgmental presence for the kids who come to read with her. She remains calm and enjoys being petted by her human friends, bringing joy and comfort wherever she goes. Lily has 2 furnishings making her an excellent choice for those looking for a hypoallergenic option.
Penn Hip Distraction Index
Rt DI=0.53 Lft DI=0.55
OFA Elbows negative for elbow dysplasia
OFA Cardiac =normal cardiovascular exam
OFA CAER=normal clear to breed
Embark DNA= Clear of all breed related genetic diseases, one copy of CDDY/IVDD
Murphy
Meet Murphy: CGC, Certified Therapy and School Facility Dog
Breed Multigen Australian Labradoodle
DOB: 7/24/22
Adult Weight: 30lbs
Murphy is a wonderful medium-sized, non shedding multigenerational Australian Labradoodle. He has two copies of furnishings, making him an excellent choice for those looking for a hypoallergenic option. Brave and loving,
Murphy spends most days working at an elementary school alongside his school counselor handler Bonnie. They make an excellent team. You can follow more of Murphy's adventures on his Instagram page:
Murphy_vip_therapist
Penn Hip Distraction Index
Rt DI=0.45 Lft DI 0.44
OFA Elbows negative for elbow dysplasia
OFA Cardiac =normal cardiovascular exam
OFA CAER=normal clear to breed
Embark DNA= Clear of all breed related genetic diseases, one recessive copy of DM, CDDY Clear
Riggs
Meet Riggs: Fire Facility Dog, in training
Breed: English Labrador Retriever
Date of Birth: 8/10/24
Adult Weight: 55 lbs
Riggs is a wonderful medium-sized full English Labrador Retriever. Brave and loving, Riggs has a natural ability to connect with everyone he meets.
Riggs spends most days training alongside his fire fighter handler, Danny, His presence brings joy and comfort to the firehouse making a significant positive impact in their daily lives.
You can follow more of Riggs adventures and see the amazing training he does on his Instagram page:
K9.riggs.ofd
Penn Hip Distraction Index
Rt DI=0.49 Lft DI 0.52
OFA Elbows =pending
OFA Cardiac =pending
OFA CAER=pending
Embark DNA= Clear of all breed related genetic disease