Does your dog have what it takes to be a therapy dog?

You have probably seen the stories on TV where dogs have visited nursing homes and hospitals. Maybe now you are wondering whether or not your dog could help in a similar line of work. Here are some of the things to look for to see if your dog has what it takes to be a therapy dog.

What is needed in terms of personality?

The foremost important thing to consider is whether or not both you and your dog have the personality to get into therapy work. Your dog should be well trained and friendly. He should enjoy going out and not be nervous about new places. He should be comfortable with meeting new people and allowing new people to touch him. A dog that is nervous or uncontrollable will not be of any use in therapy work, no matter how friendly he is. 

Is your dog always good with people?

Your dog should be comfortable around people. This includes being accepting of strangers and neither shying away from them or approaching them until given permission. He should be able to walk through a crowd of people without getting distracted or straining on the leash. He should allow petting and touching by complete strangers. He should not startle or become defensive around loud noises or sudden movement.  Have different people approach him and pet him to see how it reacts. While they are there, have them make a loud noise by dropping something or jump suddenly. It is ok for your dog to look surprised, but he should remain where he is and not act aggressively.

Is you dog very well trained?

You will also want to consider training. A good therapy dog needs to be able to sit, lie down, and stay on command and without any hesitation. These are absolutely essentially for therapy work and he should be able to do them effortlessly. Your dog should be able to walk on a leash without pulling or needing a constant “heel” command. He should not react to other dogs in a room.

Consider your preferences (and those of your dog)

You should also consider your preferences – are you more comfortable working with children or Alzheimer’s patients? Are you comfortable around people with terminal diseases or do you get emotional or upset? You will need to find a group that you are compassionate for, but also one that you can keep your composure about.  Your dog will get his cues from you, so you need to be in control at all times and enjoy what you are doing.  Knowing whom you want to work with can make a difference in how you train your dog as well. For example, will he need to be comfortable around children or wheel chairs?

Getting your dog certified

If your dog sounds like he would be good with all of these things, the next step to do is get him certified.  Most therapy groups will require that he pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test.  This test evaluates behavior and temperament of potential therapy dogs as well as how suitable they are for use around wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital equipment. The therapy organization may also have additional requirements to the AKC’s test that will require independent certification.

One important thing is to make sure that your dog is in good health. You will need proof that he is current on all vaccinations, has had his annual physical, stool, and heartworm checks, and is free of any parasites or infections. A simple trip to your veterinarian can take care of all of these. At the end, you should receive a health certificate to prove compliance. Keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms that might signal that something is wrong, such as excessive scratching or redness to certain body parts.

In appearance, you dog should be cleaned and well groomed. He should also allow handling and grooming by other people that he does not know. For some lines of work, he might be required to wear a costume or a certain type of collar. Make sure that he is comfortable with having any accessorizes being put on and taken off again.

With a little bit of work and the right temperament, you and your dog can be on your way to rewarding therapy work.

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