Therapy with animals can be extremely fun and rewarding. There are several ways you can get started but no matter which route you choose the basic “to do” list is the same. First your dog will need to be old enough to have had all his/her shots and will need to have lived with you for at least 6 months. Secondly your dog will need to know his/her basic commands including sit, lie down, stay, leave it, come when called and walk well on leash without a pinch collar. Your dog will need to be well socialized with other people and animals. Doing this from an early age is helpful but all dogs can learn proper socialization skills.
The next step once your dog is well trained and socialized is to find a program that works for you. When I was looking for a Pet therapy group I found the LSU Tiger HATS program. They provide handler training and an extensive website that answers any questions you may have about pet therapy and how it works. You can find their website at http://petpartners.org/. They do not train dogs in their program but do offer handlers insight to what is needed and expected. They also provide the testing that is needed in order to join their group and become an animal therapy team with your dog.
Before you will be allowed to begin practicing therapy with your dog you will go through an extensive test to ensure you and your dog are ready to be a pet therapy team. This test will include having your dog run through the basic obedience commands as well as put him/her through a simulation of a therapy session. This means your dog will be tested on being touched, walking through a crowd, being around noisy people and commotion, being around other animals, being bumped into, being petted clumsily and all over, being hugged or restrained and overall appearance and grooming. You will need to learn how to read your dog's body language and general demeanor so you can provide the best possible outcome to this test and ensure your dog is comfortable with doing what is required of a therapy dog
To prepare your dog for these tests, it is best to begin with basic obedience. Joining a group obedience class is a good way to provide knowledge of basic commands but also to see how your dog will do in a group setting with other dogs and people. You can tell your dog trainer that you plan to pursue pet therapy and your specific needs so they can assist you. Setting up simulations of things like walking through a crowd, yelling, commotion or having several people crowd or pet your dog while providing positive reinforcement and listening to your dogs body language is a great start to ensuring you will pass the tests needed to become a therapy team. If your dog is unsure of a situation, guiding him/her through it with positive reinforcement and encouragement in small doses will go a long way in building your dog up to being able to handle doing therapy work.
It is never too early to begin training your dog. Before your dog is old enough to receive his/her vaccines you can train your puppy by grooming, petting and handling while positively reinforcing good behavior in your home. You can begin leash training in the home and several basic commands like sit, lie down, stand up, leave it and come when called. Once your puppy is fully vaccinated you can begin bringing him/her as many places as possible. The more you introduce your puppy to new people and situations the better socialized and prepared they will be.
If you are interested in doing pet therapy with your dog and would like more information or to receive training, please contact me. I am happy to assist and help you pass the evaluation that you will need to join a therapy program. Pet therapy is one of the most rewarding things I have done with my dog and is such a blessing to the community and those receiving therapy as well as to the person and pet providing therapy.
The next step once your dog is well trained and socialized is to find a program that works for you. When I was looking for a Pet therapy group I found the LSU Tiger HATS program. They provide handler training and an extensive website that answers any questions you may have about pet therapy and how it works. You can find their website at http://petpartners.org/. They do not train dogs in their program but do offer handlers insight to what is needed and expected. They also provide the testing that is needed in order to join their group and become an animal therapy team with your dog.
Before you will be allowed to begin practicing therapy with your dog you will go through an extensive test to ensure you and your dog are ready to be a pet therapy team. This test will include having your dog run through the basic obedience commands as well as put him/her through a simulation of a therapy session. This means your dog will be tested on being touched, walking through a crowd, being around noisy people and commotion, being around other animals, being bumped into, being petted clumsily and all over, being hugged or restrained and overall appearance and grooming. You will need to learn how to read your dog's body language and general demeanor so you can provide the best possible outcome to this test and ensure your dog is comfortable with doing what is required of a therapy dog
To prepare your dog for these tests, it is best to begin with basic obedience. Joining a group obedience class is a good way to provide knowledge of basic commands but also to see how your dog will do in a group setting with other dogs and people. You can tell your dog trainer that you plan to pursue pet therapy and your specific needs so they can assist you. Setting up simulations of things like walking through a crowd, yelling, commotion or having several people crowd or pet your dog while providing positive reinforcement and listening to your dogs body language is a great start to ensuring you will pass the tests needed to become a therapy team. If your dog is unsure of a situation, guiding him/her through it with positive reinforcement and encouragement in small doses will go a long way in building your dog up to being able to handle doing therapy work.
It is never too early to begin training your dog. Before your dog is old enough to receive his/her vaccines you can train your puppy by grooming, petting and handling while positively reinforcing good behavior in your home. You can begin leash training in the home and several basic commands like sit, lie down, stand up, leave it and come when called. Once your puppy is fully vaccinated you can begin bringing him/her as many places as possible. The more you introduce your puppy to new people and situations the better socialized and prepared they will be.
If you are interested in doing pet therapy with your dog and would like more information or to receive training, please contact me. I am happy to assist and help you pass the evaluation that you will need to join a therapy program. Pet therapy is one of the most rewarding things I have done with my dog and is such a blessing to the community and those receiving therapy as well as to the person and pet providing therapy.
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