Therapy Dog Certification: Requirements & Organizations

Becoming a certified therapy dog team is a rewarding experience, allowing you and your canine companion to bring comfort and joy to others. However, the path to certification requires dedication and commitment. While there isn’t a single, universally recognized therapy dog certification, various reputable organizations offer evaluations and certifications that are widely accepted.

General Requirements

Regardless of the certifying organization, some common requirements exist:

• Dog Temperament: A calm, friendly, and well-socialized dog is crucial. Dogs must enjoy interacting with strangers, remain unfazed by loud noises or sudden movements, and demonstrate obedience. Aggression or excessive barking are disqualifying traits.
• Obedience Skills: Dogs must demonstrate basic obedience commands like sit, stay, come, down, and heel. They should also be able to walk politely on a leash without pulling.
• Health and Vaccination Records: Proof of up-to-date vaccinations and a clean bill of health from a veterinarian is typically required.
• Handler Requirements: The handler (owner) must be at least 18 years old and possess good communication skills. They need to be able to effectively manage their dog and interact appropriately with people in various settings.
• Training and Evaluation: Teams typically complete a therapy dog training course and pass an evaluation. The evaluation assesses the dog’s temperament, obedience, and the handler’s ability to manage the dog in simulated therapy environments.

Certifying Organizations

Several national and regional organizations offer therapy dog certification programs. Here are a few well-regarded examples:

• Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD): ATD is a national organization that provides training, testing, certification, and insurance for therapy dog teams. They emphasize on-site evaluations in real-world settings.
• Pet Partners: Pet Partners is another prominent national organization. They offer a comprehensive training program and evaluation process, focusing on the health and well-being of both the animal and the handler. They also offer a wide variety of visitation programs.
• Therapy Dogs International (TDI): TDI is one of the oldest therapy dog organizations in the United States. They conduct evaluations and provide registration for therapy dog teams. They also offer support and resources for their members.
• Local or Regional Organizations: Many local or regional organizations also offer therapy dog certification. These organizations may have specific requirements or focus on serving a particular community. Research local options to find a program that suits your needs.

Choosing an Organization

When selecting a certifying organization, consider the following:

• Reputation: Research the organization’s history and reputation within the therapy dog community.
• Insurance: Ensure the organization provides liability insurance that covers therapy dog visits.
• Visitation Opportunities: Check if the organization has established relationships with local facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.
• Cost: Consider the cost of training, evaluation, and membership fees.
• Training Philosophy: Look for an organization whose training methods align with your own beliefs and values.

Becoming a certified therapy dog team requires dedication and effort. By carefully researching and choosing a reputable organization, you and your dog can embark on a fulfilling journey of helping others through the power of the human-animal bond.

2292×1200 therapy dog requirements certification training from www.supportdogcertification.org

406×296 therapy dog titles visit requirements wisteria goldens from wisteriagoldens.com

720×720 therapy dog digital package service dog certification from usservicedogcertification.com

1400×1400 offcial esa registration esa service animal registry from www.supportdogcertification.org

300×250 certification therapy dogs pa certified therapy dog requirements pennsylvania from norwestertherapydogs.org

1056×816 therapy dog certification template jpg word templatenet from www.template.net

768×561 qualifying therapy dog certification wisteria goldens from wisteriagoldens.com

2000×1333 register dog therapy certification training hudson county hoboken girl from www.hobokengirl.com

1200×900 therapy dog certification workshop scheduled starting sat dec danvers ma patch from patch.com

1685×1191 service dog training school international certified therapy dog training dog from www.servicedogtrainingschool.org

2228×1426 service dog requirements training costs certification from www.servicedogtrainingschool.org

1198×1504 register dog therapy dog from www.servicedogcertifications.org

1020×768 dog physical therapy from berthagails.blogspot.com