Therapy dogs provide comfort and emotional support to people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other settings. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are not trained to assist individuals with specific disabilities but are valued for their calming and friendly demeanor. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to certify your dog as a therapy dog:
1. Evaluate Your Dog’s Temperament and Suitability
Before starting the certification process, assess whether your dog is a good candidate for therapy work. Ideal therapy dogs should:
- Be calm, friendly, and gentle around people of all ages.
- Enjoy being handled and petted, even by strangers.
- Show no signs of aggression, excessive fear, or reactivity.
- Be well-behaved in public and around distractions, such as loud noises or busy environments.
2. Ensure Your Dog is Healthy
Your dog must be in excellent health to become a therapy dog. Schedule a visit to the veterinarian to:
- Ensure vaccinations are up-to-date.
- Perform routine health checks.
- Address any medical conditions that may affect their ability to work in therapy settings.
3. Provide Basic Obedience Training
A therapy dog must have good manners and follow basic commands, such as:
- Sit
- Stay
- Down
- Leave it
- Come
Your dog should also walk calmly on a leash without pulling and be non-reactive to other animals or people. If your dog needs help with these skills, consider enrolling in an obedience class.
4. Socialize Your Dog
Expose your dog to various environments, people, and situations to help them become comfortable with different sights, sounds, and smells. This includes:
- Visiting busy parks
- Meeting children and older adults
- Experiencing elevators, wheelchairs, or walkers
- Spending time in unfamiliar settings
The more your dog is exposed to diverse situations, the better prepared they will be for therapy work.
5. Research Therapy Dog Organizations
To have your dog certified, you’ll need to work with a recognized therapy dog organization. Some well-known organizations include:
- Therapy Dogs International (TDI)
- Pet Partners
- Alliance of Therapy Dogs Each organization has specific requirements and testing procedures, so research their guidelines to find the best fit for you and your dog.
6. Complete Therapy Dog Training (if Needed)
Some therapy dog organizations require you to complete specialized training courses before testing. These courses focus on preparing your dog for therapy visits, including teaching them to stay calm in chaotic environments and remain focused during interactions with strangers.
7. Pass the Therapy Dog Evaluation
Your dog will need to pass a certification test or evaluation to become a therapy dog. This test assesses your dog’s:
- Reaction to strangers
- Ability to stay calm in new and potentially stressful environments
- Comfort with being petted, hugged, or handled by unfamiliar people
- Ability to ignore distractions, such as loud noises or food on the ground
You may also need to demonstrate your dog’s obedience skills during the test.
8. Register with a Therapy Dog Organization
Once your dog passes the evaluation, you can register with the therapy dog organization. Registration typically requires:
- Proof of passing the evaluation
- Up-to-date vaccination records
- Payment of any required fees
After registration, you’ll often receive an ID badge, vest, or other materials to identify your dog as a certified therapy dog.
9. Follow Rules for Therapy Visits
After certification, you can begin volunteering with your dog in therapy settings. Be sure to:
- Abide by the rules and guidelines of the therapy dog organization.
- Schedule visits through approved facilities.
- Monitor your dog’s stress levels during visits and give them breaks as needed.
10. Maintain Certification
Most organizations require re-certification periodically (e.g., every 1-2 years) to ensure your dog continues to meet the standards for therapy work. Keep your dog’s training, health, and vaccination records up to date.
Conclusion
Certifying your dog as a therapy dog requires careful evaluation of their temperament, obedience training, and passing an evaluation through a recognized organization. Therapy dogs bring joy and comfort to many, making their work incredibly rewarding for both the handler and the dog.