How to Certify Your Dog as a Therapy Dog

Dogs have long been known for their ability to provide comfort, support, and companionship to those in need. Whether visiting hospitals, nursing homes, or schools, therapy dogs bring joy and healing to a variety of settings. If you believe your dog has the right temperament and skills, you may want to consider certifying them as a therapy dog. This process not only enhances your dog’s role in helping others but also ensures that they are prepared to handle various situations with confidence and control.

In this article, we will walk you through the steps required to certify your dog as a therapy dog, from evaluating their suitability to completing the necessary training and certification.

What is a Therapy Dog?

Before starting the certification process, it’s essential to understand what qualifies as a therapy dog. Therapy dogs are specifically trained to provide emotional support and comfort to people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other facilities. Unlike service dogs, which are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, therapy dogs are primarily used for their calming presence and positive interactions with a wide range of people.

Step 1: Assess Your Dog’s Temperament

The first step in certifying your dog as a therapy dog is assessing their temperament. Not all dogs are cut out for this role. A therapy dog needs to be well-mannered, gentle, and sociable with both humans and other animals. Some key traits that make a dog suitable for therapy work include:

• Calm demeanor: The dog should remain composed in various environments, even in unfamiliar or stressful situations.
• Good behavior: Therapy dogs must be well-behaved, responsive to commands, and able to stay calm around loud noises or large crowds.
• Friendliness: A therapy dog should enjoy meeting new people and interacting with children, adults, and the elderly.
• Patience: These dogs should be able to handle extended periods of interaction without becoming agitated or anxious.

You can start by observing your dog in different settings. If they display signs of anxiety, aggression, or fear in unfamiliar situations, they may not be suited for therapy work.

Step 2: Basic Obedience Training

Before you can move forward with therapy dog certification, your dog must have a strong foundation in basic obedience. A therapy dog needs to follow commands reliably, such as sit, stay, heel, and down, regardless of the distractions around them. If your dog isn’t already proficient in these basic commands, it’s crucial to complete a basic obedience course first.

Some key obedience skills to focus on include:

• Leash manners: The dog should walk calmly on a leash without pulling or lagging behind.
• Sit and stay: These commands are essential for maintaining control in crowded or hectic environments.
• Recall: Your dog should come when called, even in distracting situations.

You can take a group class or work with a professional trainer to ensure your dog is well-prepared for therapy dog training.

Step 3: Therapy Dog Training

Once your dog has mastered basic obedience, the next step is specific therapy dog training. This training will teach your dog how to interact appropriately in therapeutic settings. Depending on where you live, there are several organizations that offer formal therapy dog training programs. Some well-known ones include:

• Pet Partners
• Therapy Dogs International (TDI)
• Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD)

These programs typically cover the following areas:

• Socialization: Exposing your dog to a variety of people, places, and situations to ensure they are comfortable in different environments.
• Manners: Teaching your dog to be gentle with people, including children, elderly individuals, and those with disabilities.
• Basic therapy tasks: Helping your dog learn to sit calmly beside patients, provide comfort through touch, and interact in a manner conducive to emotional healing.

During training, your dog will need to demonstrate that they can handle both predictable and unpredictable situations. This includes maintaining calmness around medical equipment, wheelchairs, and unfamiliar people.

Step 4: Certification Testing

Once your dog has completed therapy dog training, the next step is to undergo a certification test. This test evaluates your dog’s readiness to work in therapeutic environments. The test generally includes practical evaluations, where the dog must demonstrate their ability to:

• Remain calm and composed in a hospital, nursing home, or public setting.
• Respond to commands in various environments with distractions.
• Interact appropriately with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Each certification organization has its own criteria and testing procedure. For example, Pet Partners and Therapy Dogs International have established testing protocols that assess both the dog’s behavior and your ability as a handler to manage your dog effectively.