Have you ever thought that your dog might make a good therapy dog? Maybe you know of a nursing home where a visit from your dog would infuse the residents' lives with a much-needed dose of joy, but you're not sure how to make it happen or even where to start. If you've ever wondered what steps are necessary to register a therapy dog, or what's involved in training a therapy dog, keep reading.
What Therapy Dogs Do
Therapy dogs, along with their handlers, visit people in places, such as schools, nursing homes and hospitals to help improve the lives of people in difficult situations. When you register a therapy dog, he might cheer up a terminally ill patient or be a friend to a lonely senior. Therapy dogs help kids suffering from anxiety or depression by providing a calming influence. A therapy dog's main job is simply to provide companionship, entertainment and love to those who are struggling with difficult circumstances.
Therapy Dog vs. Service Dog
It's important to distinguish between a therapy dog and a service dog. Service dogs live with the people they're trained to serve and provide highly specialized services, such as guiding the blind or providing assistance to the physically disabled. Service dogs receive rigorous training in order to perform their duties effectively, and they are legally permitted to go wherever their human companions go, including places like restaurants and on airplanes. While therapy dogs enjoy special access to facilities when they're invited to visit, they don't have unrestricted access the way service dogs do.
Training a Therapy Dog
Because a therapy dog's job is simply to be a dog for those in need, they don't have to undergo a lot of specialized training. They do, however, need to be proficient in basic obedience skills and be highly socialized and able to get along well with strangers. Some therapy dog organizations may require their canine students to pass the Good Citizen test provided by the AKC. Therapy dogs may also need to undergo desensitization training so that they won't become rattled in situations involving boisterous children or noisy hospital machines.
Some therapy dog registration organizations provide training courses for those who need them, but most do not. You may need to take it upon yourself to either train your dog or enroll him in independent training courses. These are the courses your dog will likely need to take in preparation for becoming a therapy dog:
- Basic and intermediate obedience training.
- Canine Good Citizen training.
- Desensitization training, which includes exposure to strange situations and loud noises, as well as acclimation to hospitals and other specialized environments.
Check with the organization with which you plan to register your dog to find out the exact requirements. They may be able to assist you with finding classes or a therapy dog training specialist in your community.
Tasty Tips
Additional Therapy Dog Requirements
Dogs of any breed, shape, or size can become therapy dogs. In order to be considered for therapy dog registration, a dog should be at least one year of age. He also needs to be friendly, confident, and well-mannered and not aggressive, anxious, fearful, or hyperactive. You must also be able to demonstrate that either you or the person who will accompany your dog on visitations are able to work well with the dog.
Typically, therapy dog organizations also have health requirements that your dog must meet. For example, Therapy Dogs International (TDI) lists the following health requirements:
- Your dog needs to have had an annual health check performed by your veterinarian within the past 12 months.
- He must be current on his rabies vaccination, and it must have been administered by a vet.
- He must have received all of his core vaccinations, including for distemper, parvo, and hepatitis.
- He must have received a stool exam within the past 12 months, with negative results.
- He must also have tested negative for heartworm within the past year, or be on continuous heartworm prevention medication.
How to Register a Therapy Dog
Before you can volunteer your dog as a therapy dog, you first need to register with a therapy dog organization, that can then match you to facilities where you and your dog can volunteer. Check your local listings for a therapy dog registration organization in your area, or visit the American Kennel Club (AKC) for a list of AKC-approved therapy dog organizations.
Once you're confident your dog meets all the qualifications to become a therapy dog, both you (or the person who will be volunteering alongside your pup) and your dog will need to undergo evaluation by the organization. The evaluation usually takes place in person with a group of other potential volunteer teams, and is typically done in a hospital or nursing home environment. Tests that your dog will undergo might include:
- Meeting and greeting new people
- Sit/stay and down/stay in a group situation
- Coming when called
- Visiting with a patient
- Reactions to children and unusual situations
- The leave-it command
- Meeting another dog
- Entering the facility
Keep in mind that your dog isn't the only one that will be evaluated. The evaluator will also be watching closely to see how you interact with your dog, as well as how well you and your dog get along and work together as a team. If the evaluator is satisfied with both your and your dog's performance, you will both be allowed to register as a therapy dog team.
If a therapy dog organization doesn't provide testing in your area, some organizations, including TDI, make provisions for limited registration based on long-distance evaluation. To be considered, you will need to provide graduation certificates for basic and intermediate obedience courses along with a letter from the obedience school attesting to your dog's temperament. You will also need to provide a letter of recommendation from your veterinarian, as well as a letter from the facility you wish to visit, written on the facility's letterhead, stating that you and your dog are welcome to visit.
It's quite a process to train and register a therapy dog, but it can be a rewarding experience for you and your pup, not to mention for those who will benefit from your dog's companionship.
Related products
Hill's Science Diet Adult Small Bites No Corn, Wheat, Soy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe dog food
Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Stew with Beef & Vegetables Dog Food
A delicious complement to the superior nutrition of Science Diet dry dog food
Hill's Science Diet Adult Light Small & Mini Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
Low calories for less active small & mini dogs
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Perfect Digestion Chicken, Whole Oats & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome for dogs age 7+
Hill's Science Diet Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
Supports lean muscle and beautiful coat for adult dogs
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Small Bites Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Recipe Dog Food
Supports energy level & beautiful coat. Helps keep immune system, heart & kidneys healthy
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion Chicken, Barley & Whole Oats Recipe Dog Food
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight & Joint Support Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
This weight management and mobility support dog food was created with Hill’s unique understanding of the biology of overweight dogs.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Large Breed Chicken Recipe Dog Food
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition. Delicious food in a large bite size.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Healthy Cuisine Can Variety Pack
Hill's Science Diet Healthy Cuisine Variety Pack
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Pollock Meal & Insect Recipe Dog Food
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin dry dog food is gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & promoting a lustrous coat.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Small & Mini Savory Stew Can Variety Pack Dog Food
A delicious complement to the nutrition of Science Diet Small & Mini dog food
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe
Vital nutrients to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
null Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dog Food
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin dry dog food is gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & promoting a lustrous coat.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Light with Liver Dog Food
Low calories & L-Carnitine help promote ideal body weight, support healthy mobility & maintain heart function
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Supports controlled bone & joint growth. Promotes healthy brain, eye, muscle & immune system development
Hill's Science Diet Adult Healthy Mobility Small Bites Chicken Meal, Brown Rice & Barley Recipe Dog Food
Advanced nutrition to support hip & joint health from day 1
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables
Chicken & Vegetables recipe with great taste and precisely balanced nutrition to help your puppy build immunity and strong bones
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Small & Mini Chicken Recipe dog food
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée
Chicken & barley entree with great taste and precisely balanced nutrition to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Related articles
Puppy Supplies You Really Need
Gather the following puppy supplies to prepare your family for all the fun (and commitment) that comes with being a dog parent.
Why Your Dog Won't Eat
Your dog has stopped eating, but why? Learn common reasons why he doesn't seem interested in food and how you can get him back to a normal eating routine.
Learn About the Best Dog Breeds for Children
Learn tips for choosing the best dog breed for your children and family, considering things like breed size, energy level, temperament and age.
What Does My Puppy's Behavior Mean?
Learn how to read your puppy's body language to better understand his wants and needs and provide him with the best care possible.
Transportation and traveling
If you're planning on transporting or traveling with your puppy any time soon, you should consider following these helpful suggestions to keep them safe.
Dog Scratch Reflex: Why Dogs Kick Their Legs During Belly Rubs
Wondering why your dog's leg kicks when you scratch his belly? Learn about dog scratch reflexes, why they love belly rubs and how it's useful for your vet.
Is Your Dog Ready for Obedience School?
Learn what kind of training to expect from an obedience school and whether or not it is a good idea for your dog, no matter his age.
Keeping Dogs Safe from Outdoor Hazards
What is the Best Time of Year to Adopt a Dog?
Wondering what's the best time of year to adopt a dog? Learn how to choose the right season to welcome a new furry friend into your home.
Identifying & Preventing Separation Anxiety in Your Dog
Learn how to spot separation anxiety in dogs, what you can do to help with his stress, and ways to prevent anxiety in the first place.
Service Dogs Helping Other Dogs: Two Real-Life Stories of Pups Helping One Another
While service dogs play a huge role in helping people, they can also help other dogs with special needs. Read two true stories of these remarkable dogs.
What Is the Cost of Owning a Dog?
You've made the emotional decision to get a dog, but have you crunched the numbers? The cost of owning a dog requires upfront funds to get started.
Facts About Kidney Disease in Dogs
Learn what kidney disease is in dogs and what can cause it. Learn the signs of kidney disease in canines as well as potential treatment options.
Do I Have Time for a Dog?
For potential first-time dog owners, learn whether you realistically have time for a dog and what a typical day may look like with a new pup.
Common Dog Surgery Questions: Procedures, Anesthesia, Rehab & More
The idea of surgery on a dog may be scary, but it can have potentially life-saving effects. Learn some common questions pet parents have about surgeries.
5 Signs You Have a Spoiled Dog
Discover whether you might have a spoiled dog on your hands and learn alternative ways to show your pup that you love them.
Choosing the Right Food For Your Small Dog's Life Stages
Hill's Science Diet Small & Toy Breed dog foods are designed to meet the nutritional needs for your small dog at every life stage. Learn more here.
Is it Safe to Feed My Dog a Banana?
Are bananas good or bad for dogs? Find out if it's safe too feed him a banana treat and what to do if he's eaten a whole one, peel and all.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Poop
Your guide to healthy dog poop and signs to watch out for that could indicate a health concern.
My Dog is Acting Lethargic: Causes & How to Help
Discover reasons why your dog might be acting lethargic or not enjoying play & exercise like he used to, as well as when you should consult his vet.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.