- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Ever wondered what it takes to turn your dog into a source of comfort and joy for others? Training a therapy dog can open the door to making a real difference in people’s lives.
A therapy dog is trained to give emotional support, comfort, and companionship to people in places like hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or disaster areas, says Ratna Anagol (CPDT-KA, CSAT), the owner of California Canine.
Keep reading to find out how to train your dog to be a therapy dog. With patience and practice, you can teach them the skills they need, get them certified, and help brighten someone’s day!
What Is a Therapy Dog?
Therapy dogs are becoming more popular, with over 50,000 in the United States. These special dogs visit people to lower stress, help with healing, and improve happiness. A therapy dog works with their pet parent as a certified team.
Sarah Anderson (MA Ed., CPDT-KA, CSAT), the owner and Master Trainer at Dogz says most therapy dog teams volunteer their time. They often join therapy dog organizations that arrange visits to places like:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Retirement homes
- Hospices
- Treatment facilities
- Airports
- Courtrooms
- Libraries
- Disaster areas
“It’s important for pet parents to be certified with an organization such as Alliance of Therapy Dogs; we provide testing, certification, and insurance for therapy dog teams,” explains Monica Callahan, the Education and Marketing Manager at Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
What Type of Dog Is Best For Therapy Dog Training?
If you’re thinking about training your dog to be a therapy dog, here’s what to consider:
- Temperament: The most important trait is a calm, friendly, and patient nature. “A dog’s personality matters more than [their] breed,” Anagol adds.
- Characteristics: Anagol says any potential therapy dog needs to enjoy being around children, strangers, and the elderly. They also shouldn’t startle easily.
- Age: Younger dogs with the right temperament are easier to train, but older dogs with calm personalities can also make great therapy dogs. As long as your dog follows commands and is comfortable in new situations, they can succeed.
- Breeds: While any dog breed can be a therapy dog, Michelle Allen (CPDT-KA), the owner of Gemini Dogs, says Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, or other working breeds are great first choices. However, she says Terriers, Cattle dogs, and some herding breeds may struggle because they need more exercise than therapy work provides.
Some behaviors like aggression, fear, or anxiety may disqualify a dog from therapy work.
Therapy Dog Training in 6 Steps
Before your dog can take their therapy dog test and get certified, they must first learn basic obedience and good manners. Below, our experts dive in to what training your dog needs to be a therapy dog, step-by-step.
1. Attend Canine Good Citizen training classes and pass
Most importantly, Carol Abrams (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA), a certified therapy dog trainer and owner of Best Friends Dog Training Behavior & Evaluations, says potential therapy dogs need to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test.
Allen says dogs typically take several classes to prepare for the CGC test, like:
- Puppy Preschool – ($200 for 6 weeks)
- Beginner Obedience – ($240 for 7 weeks)
- Intermediate Obedience – ($225 for 6 weeks)
- CGC Prep Course and Test – ($225 for 6 weeks)
However, she adds that pet parents can also train their dog on their own and take the CGC test without a professional dog trainer.
2. Learn basic training commands
Alongside CGC classes, your dog should know basic commands like:
Leash training is also important. Your dog should walk calmly on a leash without pulling or reacting to distractions. Calm behavior is key for therapy work, as dogs need to stay composed in different environments.
3. Socialize them with people, sounds, and places
Socialization is a big part of therapy dog training. This means exposing your dog to different people, sounds, and places so they can stay calm in any situation.
Start with simple situations and gradually increase the difficulty by introducing crowded or high-stress environments and people. Reward them for calm behavior consistently throughout the process.
4. Teach them to avoid distractions
During advanced training, your dog will learn to ignore distractions. Therapy dogs need to stay focused on their handler, even with exciting smells, people, or noises around.
You’ll also need to desensitize your dog to sound and sudden movements, which is important in places like hospitals and schools.
5. Attend specialized therapy dog training
Once your dog has their CGC award, they can level up to specific therapy dog training courses. Abrams reminds pet parents to watch for stress signals in their dogs and give them breaks when needed.
Anagol’s therapy dog workshops expose dogs to different situations, including:
- Wheelchairs and walkers
- Noises
- Clumsy petting
- Multiple people petting
- Games with high levels of distraction
- Long down stays
6. Certify your therapy dog
When your dog completes therapy dog training, they can get certified by organizations like:
- Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD)
- Therapy Dog International (TDI)
- Pet Partners
Certification costs vary, but, for example, ATD charges $15 for membership and $30 for insurance.
Callahan from ATD explains the certification process includes:
- Background check: Through Sterling Volunteers.
- Health check: A vet form showing the dog is healthy and up-to-date on vaccines, fecal tests, and annual vet visits.
- Handling assessment: The dog’s skills are tested, like walking on a leash, being touched, or acting out other potential scenarios.
- Therapy visit observations: If the dog passes the handling assessment, the team is observed during 3-4 visits.
- Graduation: If the dog passes, the handler submits the test packet for approval.
Lastly, Callahan says ATD teams must be re-certified yearly and log one visit every three months to stay in good standing.
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Why Train Your Dog as a Therapy Dog?
Training your dog as a therapy dog is rewarding for both of you. Here’s why:
1. Build better communication
Working with your dog improves your patience and communication skills. Plus, it feels great knowing you and your dog are helping others in need.
2. Help your community
Therapy dogs bring comfort and emotional support to people in need in your local community, easing stress and anxiety while improving relationships.
3. Keeps your dog happy and engaged
Therapy training keeps your dog mentally sharp and gives them a sense of purpose. It also helps them gain confidence and social skills through new experiences.
4. Strengthens your bond
Training a therapy dog strengthens the bond between you and your dog, as you work together as a therapy dog team to achieve shared goals.
This training together builds trust, improves your communication, and creates a strong bond between you and your dog.
Difficulties of Training a Therapy Dog
Training a therapy dog isn’t always easy. This training can take months or even a year, and classes or professional help can get expensive.
Also, some dogs, no matter how much training they get, might not feel comfortable in therapy situations. Therapy dogs are also a huge responsibility and it’s up to you to make sure your dog meets the standards, which can feel like a lot of pressure.
How to Be a Good Therapy Dog Handler
To be a good handler, you’ll need patience, consistency, and a calm attitude. Make sure to stay confident since your pup will rely on you for guidance! Flexibility is also a hallmark of being a good handler. Each setting is different, so you may need to adjust your approach.
If you’re shy, interacting with people during visits might feel challenging, but it’s an important part of the role. With time and effort, you and your dog can make a great therapy team!
Takeaway
Training a therapy dog takes time, patience, and dedication, but the rewards are worth it. By teaching your dog obedience, social skills, and confidence, you’ll create a team that can bring comfort and joy to those who need it most.
Whether visiting hospitals, schools, or nursing homes, you and your dog can make a real difference. Start the journey today, and watch your dog transform into a source of hope and healing!
