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Therapy Dog Suggestions and Hints

In Lubbock, Therapy Dogs, Inc. (www.therapydogs.com) is the organization that is most recognized, but there are others around the country that may be prevalent in other areas. There is tons of information on their website that will be very helpful for those considering becoming a Therapy Dog team. Most other Therapy Dog organizations will have similar requirements and benefits. I would recommend that you check with the institution (hospital, nursing home, schools, libraries, etc.) you would like to visit with your Therapy Dog to determine the best therapy dog organization to join. The following are some general guidelines that should be very similar among the various Therapy Dog organizations:

• Dogs should be a minimum of one year old to be tested and observed
• Dogs should be well behaved and have the ability to heal, sit, greet strangers, not be distressed by strange sounds (like you would find in a hospital), very friendly, not aggressive, enjoy meeting new people
• Dogs be clean and well groomed, have trimmed/filed nails, clean teeth, be free of internal and external parasites, have an annual veterinary health exam, including proof of a negative fecal exam and current rabies vaccination
• Dogs must also be in compliance with state and local laws regarding, but not limited to, vaccinations and licensing - a copy of which should be kept with the dog during all therapy visits
• Handlers must also love spending time with their dogs and meeting new people
• Handlers must be able to “read” their dogs, when they are tense, when they tired, etc.
• Therapy dogs are not required to be pure breed – any mix with the right personality works well, however, wolf and coyote (or any portion) are not allowed by Therapy Dogs, Inc.
• Find someone doing Therapy Dog work and ask to go with them an observe to determine if it is right for you and your pet

We have found that the better trained the dog, the better therapy dog and experience you will have. Personally, we have (and will go through) taken the puppy, intermediate, and advanced training through our local Petsmart, but any quality training program should help – I would avoid those programs that advocate choke collars. These structured classes provide a time when you and your dog will be together and bond, which I believe will help as you begin doing your therapy work.
Finally, treat your dog special! If your dog is a good therapy dog – there is nothing more noble and endearing than the comfort, joy and smiles they provide. We try to take Denver for a puppy cone or yogurt on a routine basis as a small token of appreciation for his extra added duties.
We are relatively new to being a Therapy Dog Team, but the experience is even more rewarding than we imagined. Be realistic in your dog’s abilities and nature, do the training and be consistent, go forth and make someone’s day.

“Dogs may not be our whole life, but they certainly make our lives’ whole!”



			Therapy Dog Suggestions and Hints In Lubbock, Therapy Dogs, Inc. (www.therapydogs.com) is the organization that is most recognized, but there are others around the country that may be prevalent in other areas. There is tons of information on their website that will be very helpful for those considering becoming a Therapy Dog team. Most other Therapy Dog organizations will have similar requirements and benefits. I would recommend that you check with the institution (hospital, nursing home, schools, libraries, etc.) you would like to visit with your Therapy Dog to determine the best therapy dog organization to join. The following are some general guidelines that should be very similar among the various Therapy Dog organizations: • Dogs should be a minimum of one year old to be tested and observed • Dogs should be well behaved and have the ability to heal, sit, greet strangers, not be distressed by strange sounds (like you would find in a hospital), very friendly, not aggressive, enjoy meeting new people • Dogs be clean and well groomed, have trimmed/filed nails, clean teeth, be free of internal and external parasites, have an annual veterinary health exam, including proof of a negative fecal exam and current rabies vaccination • Dogs must also be in compliance with state and local laws regarding, but not limited to, vaccinations and licensing - a copy of which should be kept with the dog during all therapy visits • Handlers must also love spending time with their dogs and meeting new people • Handlers must be able to “read” their dogs, when they are tense, when they tired, etc. • Therapy dogs are not required to be pure breed – any mix with the right personality works well, however, wolf and coyote (or any portion) are not allowed by Therapy Dogs, Inc. • Find someone doing Therapy Dog work and ask to go with them an observe to determine if it is right for you and your pet We have found that the better trained the dog, the better therapy dog and experience you will have. Personally, we have (and will go through) taken the puppy, intermediate, and advanced training through our local Petsmart, but any quality training program should help – I would avoid those programs that advocate choke collars. These structured classes provide a time when you and your dog will be together and bond, which I believe will help as you begin doing your therapy work. Finally, treat your dog special! If your dog is a good therapy dog – there is nothing more noble and endearing than the comfort, joy and smiles they provide. We try to take Denver for a puppy cone or yogurt on a routine basis as a small token of appreciation for his extra added duties. We are relatively new to being a Therapy Dog Team, but the experience is even more rewarding than we imagined. Be realistic in your dog’s abilities and nature, do the training and be consistent, go forth and make someone’s day. “Dogs may not be our whole life, but they certainly make our lives’ whole!”