The place where the work happens.

The physical, documentation, and governance standard for a facility that hosts PSSK9^™ work.

The Physical Standard

An Authorized Facility is a physical location that meets the PSSK9^™ standard for safety, documentation, equipment, and program governance. It is not a certification of the dogs a facility produces. It is a certification of the place where the work happens.

Authorized Facility is the entry-level facility credential. It says: this location can safely host handler training, refresher work, and assessment days under an outside Master Instructor or Certified Instructor. It does not by itself authorize the facility to issue any credentials in its own name.

A facility credential and a program credential are different animals. Authorized Facility is the physical credential. The program credentials sit above it.

Who Should Pursue This Credential

Existing dog training facilities looking to add PSSK9^™ work to their offering.
Private estates and compounds with on-site training capacity for a principal’s dog(s).
Executive protection firms adding a canine capability.
Government and corrections facilities running side programs for private-sector personnel.

What the Credential Requires

Physical Standard

Dedicated training area of specified minimum size (documented in the facility packet).
Kennel and rest facilities meeting the PSSK9^™ welfare standard.
Medical response equipment (canine and human) on-site.
Documented environmental training zones — residential, urban, vehicular, low-light, crowded.
Fencing, containment, and neighbor-notification procedures.

Documentation Standard

Written incident-reporting protocol.
Written waiver and disclosure package for handler candidates.
Written emergency and evacuation plan.
Documented liability and insurance coverage.

Program Governance

At least one Handler Certified individual on staff.
A formal relationship with at least one Instructor Certified or Master Instructor who signs off on all training conducted at the facility.
Annual on-site review by a Master Instructor or Regional Center.

What the Credential Confers

Public listing as a PSSK9^™ Authorized Facility.
Right to host Handler Certified courses run by an outside Instructor Certified or higher.
Right to host Handler Certified refresher work.
Path forward to Certified Facility status (with an on-staff Instructor Certified).

What It Does Not Confer

Right to issue Handler Certified credentials in the facility’s own name.
Right to represent itself as producing PSSK9^™ dogs.
Right to charge for PSSK9^™ credentials.

— Before You Apply —

Every applicant to any PSSK9^™ credential is required to read THE BUYER’S GUIDE · READ FIRST. It is the public document the entire standard is built around. Applications that reference it are read first. Applications that do not reference it are read last.

— The First Step —

Apply to Begin the Authorized Facility Path

Every credential path begins with a written application, a phone interview, and an in-person assessment. There is no online-only path. There is no fast-track.

Open the Enquiry Form →