Our Therapy Dog Program
Becoming involved in therapy dog work is a rewarding and touching experience, offering comfort and support to individuals in need. If you're thinking about pursuing therapy work and believe your dog is a good fit, you are taking a meaningful step toward creating a positive impact in your community. This page serves as a guide, introducing the requirements of therapy dog work, exploring why your dog may be well-matched for this role, and explaining how you can take the first steps towards becoming a therapy dog team and spreading happiness and healing to those who need it most.
A Therapy Dog is NOT a Service Dog……..
A service dog is specially trained to perform specific tasks to assist individuals with disabilities. This may include guiding the visually impaired, alerting those with hearing impairments to sounds, providing physical support to individuals with mobility limitations or alerting someone with a medical condition to take necessary action.
Service dogs are protected by law under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which grants them access to public places that might otherwise restrict animals.
A therapy dog is a trained canine that provides emotional support, comfort and companionship to individuals in various settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and disaster relief areas. Their primary role is to interact with people and improve wellbeing.
Therapy dogs do not have legal protections to accompany their owners everywhere and are only allowed to visit certain designated facilities.
A service dog is trained to focus on a single person, while therapy dogs will interact with many different people in different environments for short periods of time.
Traits of a Good Therapy Dog team:
If your dog is well-mannered, well groomed, calm and gentle, and capable of handling various environments and situations with composure, he or she may have the makings of a good therapy dog. However, the dog only represents half team. As a handler, you play a critical role by demonstrating effective communication, attentiveness and a strong understanding of your dog’s cues. Together, a dog and handler team should exhibit a unified team that works well together to bring comfort and support to those in need, while adhering to proper hygiene and safety protocols.
Preparing Your Puppy for Therapy Work: Essential Skills to Start Early
There are skills you can begin teaching your puppy from an early age which include proper socialization and exposure to different environments. Necessary skills for a good therapy dog include being able to ignore surrounding stimuli, getting along with other dogs and people, liking people—but not too much, being eager to please you, adaptability, and gentleness. The AKC S.T.A.R. (Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility) Puppy program and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program are two classes offered at many training clubs which will get you off to a great training start.
Having your dog certified for therapy work through an accredited organization is extremely important, and here are the reasons why…….
1. Ensuring Safety and Reliability: Certification ensures that your dog has undergone thorough training and evaluation to confirm their behavior and temperament are suitable for therapy work. This reduces the risk of unexpected incidents during visits, ensuring the safety and well-being of both the dog and the individuals they meet.
2. Legal Safeguards: Certified therapy dogs and their handlers often receive liability insurance through accredited organizations, offering protection against any legal issues that may arise during therapy sessions.
3. Building Credibility: Certification enhances the credibility of your therapy dog team, fostering trust with the organizations and facilities you visit. It shows your commitment to professionalism and ensures confidence among those receiving therapy.
4. Training Resources and Ongoing Support: Accredited organizations typically provide ongoing training, resources, and support, helping you and your dog stay prepared for the challenges that come with therapy work. This support can be invaluable when facing difficulties during visits.
5. Expanding Opportunities: Many institutions require certification from accredited bodies before allowing therapy dogs on their premises. Being certified provides more opportunities for you and your dog to provide therapy, increasing your ability to make a positive impact.
In summary, certification through an accredited organization is crucial for ensuring the safety, credibility and effectiveness of your dog as a therapy dog, while also opening up more opportunities for your team to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
For information on specific accrediting organizations for therapy dogs and for more specific information, refer to the recommended links below.