What steps do i need to take to make my dog a therapy dog?

Question

i have a soft coated wheaten terrier...about 24 lbs i think and 4 years old and was born on thanksgiving =).He is the most gentle dog i know, he loves to be around people and hates to be alone, hes actually kind of a wuss especially during thunderstorms or if he hears any loud noises at all. But if you're sad or sick...or have food...he comes over and lays his head onyour lap and makes you feel better. I'd really like him to be a therapy dog and think that he'd be good at it. What are all of the necessary steps needed for him to become a therapy dog?

Answer 1

Training, training, training! The dog should successfully complete basic and advanced obedience classes. The next step is for the dog to take and pass the Canine Good Citizen Test. Once you have completed the training and the dog is certified CGC you can register with Therapy Dogs International, complete some more training and pass their test. My pup is only 16 months old and still needs to outgrow some puppy playfulness but I am going to train her as a therapy dog.

The only thing that concerns me is your dogs fear of loud noises. This is something you should work with your dog on overcoming. Therapy dogs go into a variety of different settings; nursing homes, hospitals, schools. Some of the things they might encounter will be falling bed pans, loud equipment, hospital beds that move and make noise, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches etc. If you really want your dog to be a therapy dog get him use to all kinds of different situations and sounds, take him around the handicapped. Take him around school kids. Being a wuss isn't the best quality in a therapy dog.

Answer 2

I did some research a while back for my golden retriever as well! It seems that there is no specific gold standard for a therapy dog. I have found that it depends on the institution for what they require. I work at a hospital that provides pet pals for children and they have a very specific program offered through the local university's vet school. Only about 20% of dogs that enter the program will be chosen to become therapy dogs at the hospital. To prepare, we are working on getting the CGC title. We have a local training facility that offers a therapy dog training class where they go to a nursing home during the last class. Also, know your dog's triggers for excitement. Does seeing another dog make him go crazy and want to play? Will an object rolling across the floor completely redirect his attention away from you? Do loud noises or unfamiliar people make him withdraw? You should start exposing him to medical equipment such as wheelchairs and walker. The turning of the wheels can be a trigger, or the noise of the feet of the walker skidding across the floor. Also, test him to make sure he is social with all types of people. Women, men, elderly, children, infants, tall people, people wearing hoods, sunglasses, etc. You'd be surprised what little thing could trigger a reaction from a dog! Best of luck to you! Oh-and to find a CGC tester, you could ask at your local vet's office, humane society, dog rescue or local training facility (they might even have one on staff).

Answer 3

There is no standardized training for therapy dogs. Each hospital and nursing home that allows therapy dogs to visit has their own rules. Some allow anyone with a dog to visit. Others only allow people from one specific organization. As a minimum, I recommend the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizenship training http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm . Most kennel clubs offer this training.

I also suggest you contact the hospital or nursing home you would like to visit with your dog and ask if an organization with therapy dogs visits there. If someone is visiting there, contact that organization and see what their requirements are. The organization I volunteer with has a screening test for dogs to ensure they have the right temperament, and a two hour training session for the volunteers. In addition, for the first few visits, volunteers are accompanied by an experienced member who evaluates the volunteer, and who provides advice and guidance. After ten visits, the dog is certified as a therapy dog by the volunteer organization. (This certification has no legal standing because there is no official standard for therapy dog certification.)

Answer 4

Your dog needs to be good at basic obedience to start with.
I suggest you go to the Therapy Dog International website and check out their test requirements and certification and then look for a test in your area.

I have a TDI certified therapy dog and it is a very rewarding experience.

Answer 5

Contact Therapy Dogs International. They've been at it the longest and they offer tons of information.

www.tdi-dog.org

Answer 6

Great site to get you started.

http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/Therapy/ready.html

Answer 7

http://www.fidosforfreedom.org/therapy-dogs/therapyprogram.php

Read through that, even if they're not in your area, they have good information.