Should my dog be a Therapy Dog?

A good therapy dog team can bring joy to their community and have a lasting impact on the people they interact with. However, there are many things worth considering before even beginning training for therapy dog work. So let's dig into it!

What is a Therapy Dog?

A therapy dog is a dog specially trained to bring emotional support to people in a variety of settings. Most therapy dogs serve to comfort people through physical interaction: research shows that petting a dog can help reduce stress and promote positive feelings. A therapy dog team (consisting of a dog and handler) often do their work in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and treatment centers.

Therapy dogs are meant to bring peace, confidence, hope and joy to those they meet. They are not service dogs, which perform specific services for one person. A therapy dog's exact role may differ depending on where they are and whom they are serving.

However, all therapy dogs need certain qualities to serve effectively.

Temperament

A therapy dog needs to be friendly, patient, steady, gentle, and neutral in a wide variety of situations. Nearly all therapy dogs need to not only tolerate, but enjoy human contact.

Therapy dogs need to be calm under pressure, but we can't proof every situation: at some point, even an experienced dog will encounter something that startles or frightens it. A good therapy dog must be able to work through unease and bounce back from frightening situations quickly and in an appropriate manner.

So, what traits indicate your dog might not enjoy therapy work? A dog that is timid or stand-offish around strangers, reactive, sensitive to environmental changes or unable to settle in public will probably not make a good therapy dog. It's important not to force a dog to do therapy work. This could lead not only to your dog being unhappy, but also might put the dog or other people in dangerous situations.

Physical Traits

Therapy dogs come in all shapes and sizes! But there are some qualities that can make therapy work difficult. For instance, a particularly large or bulky dog may have trouble navigating stairs, narrow doorways, or elevators. A dog that sheds a lot and isn't well-groomed may not be welcome in some facilities - same for a dog that drools a lot.

Where to look for a Potential Therapy Dog?

The good news is, a good therapy dog can come from anywhere! Many excellent therapy dogs come from rescues, while others are purchased from breeders. Many are beloved pets whose people just decided one day that they wanted to make a difference in the world through therapy work, and their dog agreed!

Let's look at what to consider when assessing a potential therapy dog.

Purchasing from a Breeder

If you want to get a therapy dog from a breeder, do your research: What does the breeder say about their dogs' temperaments? What is the purpose of their breeding program? Try to arrange a meeting with the parents of your potential pup before making the purchase. If the parents are not social, stable dogs, chances are the puppies will not be either. A good breeder will help you select a puppy that has a temperament suitable for what you are looking for, or they will recommend you find another breeder.

A Note about Breeds

It's true: your Golden Retrievers, Labradors and Newfoundlands are popular in therapy dog work for a reason. However, there are individuals of every breed that could make good therapy dogs! In the end, make sure to get a breed (or a mix!) that is suitable to your lifestyle and what you are looking for, so you and the dog can live in harmony.

Adopting from a Shelter

If you plan on adopting a dog for therapy work, never rely on their online profile for information about their temperament. Make sure you meet the dog and assess them yourself before adopting. Here are some things to consider as you meet them:

• Do they love & seek out being pet, or would they rather not be touched?

• Do they approach strangers or keep their distance from them?

• Is their temperament closer to hyper or calm?

• Why were they surrendered?

Understand that no matter how much research you do and how well you vet a dog ahead of time, there's always a chance that the dog will ultimately be unsuitable for therapy work. Be prepared to recognize if this is the case, and find another purpose for your canine companion.

How Do I get Started?

First and foremost, a therapy dog needs a solid foundation in obedience and socialization. Sit, down, stay, come, and heel (on both sides) are essential. Taking foundational obedience classes can be very helpful in this regard. Remember, "socialization" does not always involve being social: a therapy dog needs to learn to be neutral everywhere you go. Loose-leash walking is a must! Other fun and useful skills you can work on include:

• Chin Rest: your dog rests their chin on your hand or someones knee (if they're sitting)

• Wait: your dog stops moving forward (or waits to start moving forward) at a doorway

• Back Up: useful in tight spaces or around people who are afraid of dogs

• Tricks: people love watching dogs sit pretty, spin, roll over and high five!

Should I Join a Therapy Dog Group?

Therapy Dog certification requirements vary from place to place: there are many local groups with their own requirements and several well-accepted national organizations, such as Therapy Dog International (TDI) and Pet Partners. The benefit of joining a national organization is that many larger establishments trust and work with them regularly, which makes it easier for you to find a place to serve with your dog. Alternatively, a local group may have a closer relationship with the establishments that welcome them. Both are equally valid depending on where you're looking to go to provide therapy dog work!

Not every establishment requires that you be part of a therapy dog organization, but most do. Accepting an uncertified therapy dog team is a liability for both the establishment and the team: if the dog was to cause or receive injury, the cost could be enormous to both parties involved. Most therapy dog organizations provide (or simply require) relevant insurance to prevent this risk.

How Soon Can I Start?

Most Therapy Dog Organizations require proof of professional training or have their own training programs that you and your dog must attend before beginning therapy dog work. Some require that dogs have passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen test before even being considered to evaluate for certification. Many organizations do not allow a dog to be certified until they are at least one or two years old. This is because a dog's temperament changes (often becoming less tolerant) as they mature.

Even if you have a well trained adult dog, you still must prove it to the organization you wish to join. This often involves you being supervised while practicing therapy work, and taking one or more tests with your dog. Be prepared to spend at least a few months, if not a few years, training and testing before becoming a certified therapy dog team!

Remember!

• Therapy work should be enjoyed by both handler AND dog

• Therapy work is a chance to help people, not to show off your dog

• Not everyone likes dogs - be mindful of those who are nervous or afraid of dogs

• A good therapy dog team can make a world of difference in someone's day!

Have more questions about therapy dogs or want to research more?

Call your local therapy dog organization or visit:

• Therapy Dogs International at https://www.tdi-dog.org/default.aspx

• Pet Partners at https://petpartners.org