May
Does anyone know how I have the ability to get my dog trained to be a therapy dog. I would love to bring him to a sick kid's hospital to make them happy. My dog adores children and he is gentle. The children in my neighborhood all know him by name. They love him!!
Answer:
Well there is a couple of places you can contact. Depending on who you’re going to certify him through will determine the requirements for correct training. All groups require certificates for newbie obedience training. Sometime you will have to complete a CGC-Canine Good Citizen. Definitely the first place to start is contact a local trainer. You’re superior off doing a group class rather then in home. By doing a group class you’re teaching your dog how to listen to you in a situation where ther is over people and dogs present. Check out TDI-Therapy Dog Internation or Delta Soceity. They’re the most popular right now. Many local Rotary clubs have options for pet therapy. Check with your local library for the READ program. A lot of time you don't need a therapy certification to visit rehabilitation centers. All you need in a complete vaccine history and a health certificate. Good Luck and work hard. It's worth every minute of hard work in the long run. Nothing can replace the beaming smile of a sick child! Dogs and cats really bring it out.
Answer:
There's a lot more to it than just “signing up.”
Your dog must be trained. Your dog will need to have finished, at a minimum, 2 sets of puppy-classes and at least a basic obedience course. A Canine Good Citizen designation is usually required. CGC requires that your dog take and pass a test which demonstrates that he is ABSOLUTELY obedient.
Then he must be put through additional testing to become a Therapy Dog. He has to show himself to be and REMAIN calm and reliable in a variety of high-stress situations (loud, sudden noises, crowded halls, children poking and pulling at him, etc.)
Which isn’t to imply that your dog can't be a Therapy Dog! But not all dogs can be (many, although they may love children and have calm, happy temperaments, simply cannot tolerate the high-distractibility factor in a hospital environment).
For now, focus on obedience training, and earning the CGC title. Later (assuming your dog has passed his CGC with flying colors), contact a Therapy Dog organization and ask how to get your dog “signed up” as a possible future Therapy Dog.
Answer:
do a google search on “therapy dog certification” for your area. There are several different organizations out there that do this, and each one will have different requirements - also depending on where you live.
be prepared to go through training courses, and have your dog tested for several tests. it's not solely based on how well your dog is with kids, it also is based on how obedient your dog is, how he acts around food, around strangers, loud noises, machinery, weird sounds/smells, etc.
good luck, i think it's great that you want to volunteer your time and your pup for this!
Answer:
Depends on where you live. The first step is usually getting your dog a Canine Good Citizen certificate and then check in your local area with the Delta Society who is a nonprofit group that works with therapy dogs. Sometimes the humane society will know or any local trainer in your area would know. But be forewarned, not all “sick kids” are made “happy” by dogs!!
Answer:
Your local SPCA should have a program.
Call animal control and/or your vet. They should know where to find the therapy people.
Look in the yellow pages and see if you can call the therapy people directly.
Call hospitals, nursing homes, children's hospitals and see if they use any therapy animals, and ask for the number.
Good luck.
Answer:
Search for the Delta Society-they are the national organization that tests therapy dogs. They might have a contact in your area that performs the tests.
Answer:
www.tdi-dog.org
www.therapydogs.com
Answer:
go to a local hospital .ask the people in the childrens ward,they should be able to help you…………..