For a dog to be suitable for therapy work and registration they must possess the following innate traits and training:
They should already have their basic training accomplished (sit, down, stay, come, loose-leash walking in crowds, etc.).
They should be very well socialized and show absolutely no aggression toward people, other dogs, or animals. It is imperative that dogs maintain this aggression-free behavior throughout their working tenure.
They should be totally accepting of being handled by a stranger. This includes squeezing of all four feet, ear and tooth/mouth examination, gentle tail pulling, and overall touching. At no time during the handling should the dog display any signs of aggression... hackling, mouthing, staring, snapping, lip curls, freezing, etc. are all grounds for immediate dismissal.
"Resource guarding" can be a problem if treats or toys are involved in therapy work so suitable dogs are those who are willing to share with people and other dogs. You know your dog better than we do so, please keep this in mind if you decide to pursue certification and work in the field of canine-assisted therapy/activities.
For an excellent description of what makes a suitable therapy dog, please see Sue Grundfest's article below.
Requirements for membership in Dogs On Call includes:
• Therapy Dog Registration**
• Attendance at a Meet and Greet and a Dogs On Call youth seminar
• A minimum of three observed and mentored internship visits
*If you need help finding an AKC CGC class and/or evaluator, please contact us for referrals.
**We advise that you pursue official therapy dog registration from either Pet Partners, Love on a Leash, or Project Canine. For cats, we advise Pet Partners or Love on Leash. If you need help getting started, please let us know.
If you have any other questions regarding the registration process and/or membership requirements for Dogs On Call, please contact us.
THE QUALITIES OF A GREAT THERAPY DOG TEAM
courtesy of Sue Grundfest, Love Dog Adventures in Las Vegas, http://www.lovedogadventures.com
What qualities make a great therapy team? Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t call or write saying they have the friendliest dog that would make a perfect therapy dog. After a brief conversation they are asked things like “How does your dog exhibit friendliness…what makes you say that?” They then proceed to say their dog is so friendly she could lick you to death! “She runs up to everyone barking and wagging her tail just looking for attention.”
Or they say “my dog just loves children” so they are asked “which children? They then say she loves their kids, grandkids, the neighbor’s kids. But is your dog calm and steady and joyful with strange children they have never met, children perhaps with an odd smell or look or affect? Around tiny babies screaming or children having meltdowns, or children with food all over them which the dog cannot approach?
When someone puts their hand at the dog’s level for a quick sniff, is the dog calmly interested or ready to gobble up the hand? Or does the dog that the owner thought was so friendly, back away and show no interest in this new person? Does the dog hide behind the owner or rush ahead to jump on the new person? Neither is the desired response.
The best candidates to become therapy dogs are the calm, patient, steady, predictable, reliable, content dogs whose handlers at the other end of the leash possesses the same qualities. The handler should have a strong understanding of their animal and be able to spot their signals of stress and be able to manage their dog in any and all circumstances.
So here are just some characteristics sought out when meeting a new team at a Free Orientation to begin their journey to becoming therapy teams with:
Traits of the Handler:
A genuine interest in people and not put off by therapeutic settings or behaviors
Good solid communication with their animal in a positive manner
Ability to be natural in their interactions and be non-judgmental
Complete intuition regarding their animal’s behaviors and signals
Confidence in their ability to predict their animal’s behavior under new situations
Patient, relaxed demeanor and ability to manage their animal while interacting with people
Friendly, making eye contact with people while at the time always aware of where their animal is and what he/she is doing
Ability to demonstrate positive, loving interactions with their animal
Desire to volunteer and be part of a team
Traits of the Animal
A genuine interest in people and new experiences
A basic level of solid positive training so he/she is predictable and steady
Not vocal or overly excited or effusive when greeting people or other animals
Non-reactive to other animals at all times
Never show fear or aggression
Steady reactions to newness and demonstrate clear signals to his/her handler
A relaxed body and welcomes every new touch
Confidence in their handler and trust that any situation they are brought into will be safeNot just be tolerant of handling but truly enjoy the human touch
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