So
you have a pooch that loves people, can tolerate its tail being pulled,
being run over by a wheelchair and hugged forever and still responds with
a cold nose and a wet kiss? Does your dog have a stable temperament, impeccable
obedience and is forever seeking attention. Then they may be great for
Therapy Dog Volunteer Work.
Here
are the steps to take to get the dog certified to become a Therapy Dog:
Background:
Therapy
Dogs have to be certified by an Organization. There are several in existence.
The most respected and supportive are Delta Society, Therapy Dog International,
and Therapy Dogs Incorporated.
Most
organizations require the dog to have completed a Canine Good Citizen Class
and received a passing certificate/diploma before becoming eligible for
therapy dog training.
Canine
Good Citizen Test/Class:
Canine
Good Citizen Classes are those geared toward helping your dog become a
good citizen they usually focus on basic obedience and can last anywhere
from 6 to 8 weeks in length. Once your dog has successfully completed this
class he may be eligible for the Canine Good Citizen Test (given by a certified
evaluator some classes come with 2 tries to pass the test, others require
that you go elsewhere for the test. Available at most obedience clubs)
Possessing
this certificate allows the dog to enter into a class geared directly toward
Therapy Dog Training. To be Certified by Delta Society and Therapy Dogs
Incorporated, each evaluator has their own schedule and policies for testing
dates.
For
more information on individual organizations contact:
Delta
Society Pet Partners at 1-800-869-6898
or www.delta_society.org
Therapy
Dogs International at 1-973-252-9800 or www.tdi-dog.org
Good Books on the subject are:
Canine
Good Citizen by Jack and Wendy Volhard
Therapy
Dogs by Kathy Diamond Davis
Volunteering
With Your Pet by Mary Burch, PhD.
Happy
Healing
Danielle
Wilson, Owner Canine Academy
WOW!!!
That was fun....Email my mom and let her know how you enjoyed the tour.
