How to Classify Your Dog as a Therapy Dog: A Comprehensive Guide

Therapy dogs play a vital role in providing comfort, emotional support, and companionship to individuals in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other settings. Unlike service dogs, which are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, therapy dogs are trained to interact with a variety of people to improve their emotional well-being. If you believe your dog has the temperament and skills to become a therapy dog, this guide will walk you through the process of classifying your dog as a therapy dog.

1. Understand What a Therapy Dog Is

Before embarking on the journey to classify your dog as a therapy dog, it’s important to understand what a therapy dog does and how it differs from other types of working dogs.

• Therapy Dogs: These dogs are trained to provide comfort and emotional support to people in various environments. They are not service dogs and do not have the same legal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Therapy dogs work in partnership with their handlers to visit facilities and interact with people who may benefit from their presence.

• Service Dogs: These dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities. They are protected under the ADA and are allowed to accompany their handlers in public places.

• Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): ESAs provide comfort to individuals with emotional or psychological conditions. They do not require specialized training and are not considered therapy dogs or service dogs.

2. Assess Your Dog’s Temperament

Not every dog is suited to be a therapy dog. The ideal therapy dog has a calm, friendly, and patient temperament. Here are some key traits to look for:

• Friendly and Outgoing: Your dog should enjoy meeting new people and be comfortable in unfamiliar environments.

• Calm and Gentle: Therapy dogs must remain calm in stressful or chaotic situations and not react aggressively to unexpected noises or movements.

• Obedient and Trainable: Your dog should respond well to basic commands and be able to follow instructions in various settings.

• Tolerant of Handling: Therapy dogs must be comfortable being touched, petted, and handled by strangers, including children and individuals with disabilities.

If your dog exhibits these traits, they may be a good candidate for therapy work. If not, consider whether additional training or a different role might be more suitable.

3. Ensure Your Dog Meets Basic Requirements

Before pursuing therapy dog certification, ensure your dog meets the following basic requirements:

• Age: Most therapy dog organizations require dogs to be at least one year old.

• Health: Your dog should be in good physical health, up-to-date on vaccinations, and free from contagious diseases. A veterinary check-up is often required.

• Behavior: Your dog should not exhibit aggressive or fearful behavior, such as growling, snapping, or excessive barking.

• Training: Your dog should have basic obedience training and be able to follow commands like sit, stay, come, and leave it.

4. Enroll in a Therapy Dog Training Program

While some dogs may naturally possess the temperament for therapy work, most benefit from formal training. Look for a therapy dog training program or a certified dog trainer with experience in therapy dog preparation. Training typically includes:

• Basic Obedience: Reinforcing commands like sit, stay, come, and heel.

• Socialization: Exposing your dog to different environments, people, and situations to ensure they remain calm and confident.

• Therapy-Specific Skills: Teaching your dog how to interact gently with people, including those who may use wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices.

• Public Access Training: Preparing your dog to behave appropriately in public spaces, such as hospitals or schools.

5. Pass a Therapy Dog Evaluation

Once your dog has completed training, the next step is to pass a therapy dog evaluation. Many organizations, such as Pet Partners, Alliance of Therapy Dogs, and Therapy Dogs International, offer evaluations to certify therapy dogs. The evaluation typically assesses:

• Temperament: How your dog reacts to strangers, loud noises, and unexpected situations.

• Obedience: Your dog’s ability to follow basic commands and remain focused on you.

• Handling: How your dog responds to being touched, petted, and handled by evaluators.

• Public Behavior: Your dog’s ability to remain calm and well-behaved in public settings.

If your dog passes the evaluation, they will be certified as a therapy dog, and you will receive documentation to prove their status.

6. Register with a Therapy Dog Organization

After passing the evaluation, you’ll need to register your dog with a recognized therapy dog organization. Registration often includes:

• Documentation: Proof of your dog’s certification and vaccination records.

• Insurance: Many organizations provide liability insurance for therapy dog teams, which is essential when visiting facilities.

• Access to Opportunities: Registration connects you with volunteer opportunities in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other settings.

Some well-known therapy dog organizations include:

• Pet Partners
• Alliance of Therapy Dogs
• Therapy Dogs International
• Love on a Leash

7. Maintain Your Dog’s Certification

Therapy dog certification is not a one-time process. To maintain your dog’s status, you’ll need to:

• Renew Certification: Most organizations require annual or biennial re-evaluations to ensure your dog remains suitable for therapy work.

• Keep Up with Training: Continue practicing obedience and therapy-specific skills to keep your dog sharp.

• Monitor Health: Regularly visit the vet to ensure your dog remains healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations.

• Stay Active: Regularly participate in therapy dog visits to keep your dog accustomed to the work.

8. Start Volunteering with Your Therapy Dog

Once your dog is certified and registered, you can begin volunteering as a therapy dog team. Here are some common settings where therapy dogs are needed:

• Hospitals: Providing comfort to patients and their families.

• Nursing Homes: Offering companionship to elderly residents.

• Schools: Helping children with reading programs or providing emotional support.

• Disaster Relief: Assisting individuals affected by natural disasters or traumatic events.

• Libraries: Participating in programs where children read to dogs to improve literacy skills.

9. Understand the Legal and Ethical Considerations

While therapy dogs are not granted the same legal protections as service dogs, there are still important legal and ethical considerations to keep in mind:

• Public Access: Therapy dogs are not allowed in all public spaces unless invited by the facility. Always check with the organization or facility before bringing your dog.

• Respect Boundaries: Not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Always ask for permission before allowing someone to interact with your therapy dog.

• Health and Safety: Ensure your dog is clean, well-groomed, and free from parasites before each visit.

• Handler Responsibilities: As a therapy dog handler, you are responsible for your dog’s behavior and well-being at all times.

10. Celebrate the Impact You and Your Dog Can Make

Becoming a therapy dog team is a rewarding experience that allows you and your dog to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Whether you’re comforting a patient in a hospital, helping a child overcome a fear of dogs, or simply bringing a smile to someone’s face, the work you do as a therapy dog team is invaluable.

Conclusion

Classifying your dog as a therapy dog requires time, effort, and dedication, but the rewards are immeasurable. By assessing your dog’s temperament, completing the necessary training, and obtaining certification, you can embark on a fulfilling journey of helping others through the power of canine companionship. Remember, the most important qualities of a therapy dog are a loving heart and a willingness to connect with people—traits that many dogs naturally possess. With the right preparation, you and your dog can become a certified therapy dog team, bringing joy and comfort to those in need.