Step 1: Understanding the Role of Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs are much more than mere pets. They are companions, healers, and bridges to a healthier emotional state. They’ve been known to bring joy to hospital patients, relieve stress for students during finals week, and comfort those in nursing homes or hospices. But how exactly do you certify a therapy dog? Let’s delve into the journey.
Understand that therapy dogs are not service dogs. A service dog is trained to perform tasks to help a person with disabilities, whereas a therapy dog provides emotional support to people other than their handler.
Step 2: Basic Obedience Training
To become a certified therapy dog, your canine companion must first master basic obedience commands such as:
- Sit
- Stay
- Come
- Lie down
- Leave it
These commands ensure that your dog can behave well in various environments. Training can be done at home or through a professional obedience class. The training process may take months, but remember, patience is key.
Step 3: Advanced Training and Socialization
Next, your dog must undergo advanced training and socialization. This involves exposing your dog to various environments and people, including children, elderly individuals, and people using medical equipment. Your dog should react calmly and not show any signs of aggressiveness.
Step 4: Therapy Dog Certification Test
Once your dog has successfully completed the basic and advanced training, it’s time to take the Therapy Dog Certification Test. The tests usually include:
- Accepting a friendly stranger
- Sitting politely for petting
- Appearance and grooming
- Walking on a loose leash
- Walking through a crowd
Remember, each organization may have slightly different testing criteria.
| Organization | Test Criteria |
|---|---|
| Therapy Dogs International | 15 Test Items |
| Pet Partners | 22 Test Items |
| Alliance of Therapy Dogs | 13 Test Items |
Step 5: Register with a Therapy Dog Organization
After passing the tests, the last step is to register your dog with a recognized therapy dog organization. Once registered, you and your dog can start bringing joy and comfort to those in need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can all breeds of dogs become therapy dogs?
Yes, all breeds can become therapy dogs, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
Q2: How long does it take to train a therapy dog?
Training duration varies. It could range from several months to a year, depending on the dog’s temperament and learning pace.
Q3: Can my dog be a service dog and a therapy dog at the same time?
No, service dogs and therapy dogs have distinct roles. Service dogs assist individuals with disabilities while therapy dogs provide comfort to various people, not just their handlers.
Q4: Where can therapy dogs work?
Therapy dogs can work in various settings such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes, hospices, and disaster recovery areas.
