I have an almost 2 year old dog who I want to become a therapy dog. I can't enter him until I am 18, but training could start now..

He is great with kids, adults, elderly, and he has met a few mentally challenged people and did just fine with everyone's tugging and pulling. He listens well and he is very placid. I'm just wondering if anyone knows the qualifications for a therapy dog?

Thank you
Emily

Hi emily. I see a few clients with therapy dogs who have been trained at intuitions to the tune of $25,000. They are brought in as pups and if they don't make the qualifications, then they go to good homes. Here is a website, but I don't think you would qualify just bringing your dog to be trained and taking him home.

Therapy Dogs Inc.

In my area you take your dog to get a test and if they pass they get a certificate saying there certified to be a therapy dog... It's not to strict or anything, but I can't find information about the tests they have to take...

That's aparently what happens in my area too.

I met a guy who's German Shepard is a therapy dog. Basically means it's allowed to go make visits to nursing homes, etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KISS

That's aparently what happens in my area too.

I met a guy who's German Shepard is a therapy dog. Basically means it's allowed to go make visits to nursing homes, etc.

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Yes, around here too. If that is what Emily means, a dog who visits nursing homes.

Tick

I guess we need to make clear what you want your dog to actually do ?

Do you merely want to take it to nursing homes to visit people or to do something else

I want him to be able to go to nursing homes, group homes (for the mentally challenged) nothing to exiting, but it would probably
Being a smile to whomevers face.

Some interesting reading here: Where can I get a license for my own personal therapy dog? - Yahoo! Answers

Spells service dogs, therapy dogs and Emotional support dogs.

Looks like you want your dog to be an ESD.

Learned something today.

Typically if you want your dog to be a certified therapy dog to enter hospitals, nursing homes and/or medical treatment centers for cancer and what not.. usually the dog needs to pass some type of class that shows your dog is fine in any situation.

The AKC Good Citizens test, for example, is a good title to obtain when wanting to do that. I'm not sure if Canada or the UKC holds anything like that.. However.. This website may interest you very much. You might want to contact them and see what you need to do with your dog in order get involved. Therapeutic Paws of Canada (TPOC)

I know where to get him certified, but the dog is only allowed to take it once, if they fail it's over. So I was wanting to know what e is going to have to do during the test... I can't get ahold of anyone.. I just read there website.

The link Tickle gave you provides a pdf of what their test is and what they are looking for.

It says about the wheelchair thing, my dog has neve been around one, what can I use to get him used to one. He has been around baby strollers but a wheelchair is a bit different.

I guess taking him while you are on a bike would be similar but therapy dogs are very seldom around moving wheelchairs. They are normally around people who are stationary on wheelchairs or in bed.

Why do you want your dog to be a therapy dog, emily ? I know it is a nice thought but the people in hospital or nursing homes are around dogs that are brought in with no special training, just very well behaved and friendly. They are normally golden labs, or airedales.

Have you been in a hospital or nursing home where you can see these dogs in operation ? I suggest you do before you try this.

My clients who are in motorized wheelchairs have the help dogs that open doors for them, etc. These are dogs are specially trained for that purpose.

Tick

I want to be able to do something with my dog. There are only a very few therapy dogs in the area and there are always people around here
Looking for one to come visit there family/friends that have a disibility. My dog is obedient, learns fast, is very friendly, and everyone who meets him loves him. He does great with all kinds of people and I think he would make a great therapy dog for people who cannot enjoy the company of there own companion.

You have a lot of faith in your dog, Emily, and I hope you can find a way for him to become a therapy dog. I will keep my I open for any sites that you can access.

Good luck

Tick

Emily.. Train for it.

Expose your dog to strange looking items. Pop balloons around him.

I still think you should try and get in contact with someone and talk to them. See if its really something you want to do.

Why not do obedience trials with him?