If you’ve been considering enrolling your dog in Therapy Dog classes, it’s always good to know what to expect and what a Therapy Dog actually does. Therapy dogs are trained to provide cuddles, comfort, bring joy, and generally make those around them feel at ease and happy. These dogs can be present at large corporate events and fundraisers, as well as at smaller events where even just one dog provides their sweet disposition. While these trained pups can do a lot for their beloved family and those around them simply by being there, there are some key elements that set Therapy Dogs, Emotional Support, and, most especially, Service Dogs apart.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THERAPY DOG TRAINING
During Michael’s Angel Paws Therapy Dog training, you and your dog will work on a number of habits and manners that will allow them to function in public spaces around crowds, loud noises, and lots of people petting them. In order to be a Therapy Dog, your pup needs to be able to handle large amounts of attention and distractions without becoming overwhelmed, scared, aggressive, or anything other than calm. During both Michael’s Angel Paws Foundation for Obedience and Advanced Obedience classes, your dog will learn basic commands that you can then continue to work on and help them excel at. Sits and downs become long stays and even off-leash walking skills.
After your pup has graduated from these classes, they can take our AKC Canine Good Citizen class. This prepares them for the AKC Canine Good Citizen 10-point test for dogs who want to work in a higher calling (outside the home) to determine if they have the training and disposition for Therapy training. If your dog passes, they could be on their way to Therapy Dog classes, should that be something you want to pursue.
THERAPY DOGS ARE VOLUNTEERS
Therapy dogs, unlike Service Dogs, are not trained to perform medical tasks or services. Therapy Dogs have many healing qualities, such as reducing anxiety and lowering blood pressure (just to name a few), but they are volunteers who bring their skills of comfort to places like hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and even large events like conferences. The dog-handler is responsible for checking if any of these locations where a Therapy Dog may volunteer require background checks, as they aren’t granted the same access as Service Dogs. It’s best to always check whether a Therapy Dog is welcome at an event and research the necessary steps to register them.
HOW TO START YOUR DOG IN THERAPY DOG CLASSES AND EVENTS
To become a Therapy Dog, Michael’s Angel Paws recommends setting up a meet and greet. This allows the canine coach and team to determine if a dog has the right temperament for the job. Not all dogs can be Therapy Dogs, so this step helps determine whether they will succeed and what training is required to get there. They will then learn extra manners and habits beyond foundational and advanced commands so they can function easily and calmly in a variety of scenarios and engagements!
If you’re interested in working with your dog to become a Therapy Dog Team through Michael’s Angel Paws, reach out to us for more information and to make a plan to give your pup the best chance at success!
