TVLesson.com did a wonderful job providing filming for this video to help people who have questions about what is needed before training a dog for Therapy Dog Training.
There a number of organisations that can help you train you and your dog to become accredited. If you would like to have your dog trained to do Therapy Dog work you can contact:
USA
Pet Prescription Team www.petprescriptionteam.com
Pet Prescription Team was founded in 2003 for one purpose, to help pet owners train and certify their family pets for assisted therapy visits. It had been brought to the attention of Krystal Emery, the Founder of; “The Pet Prescription Team” the difficulties and lack of information on the certification process as well as the lack of hands on training for those that desired to train their personal family dog for therapy work.
Pet Prescription Team developed its own personal Training Manual and Policy & Procedure Manual as well as classes to assist in the certification process. Once owners complete an 8 week Pet Prescription Team Training Course they are evaluated through the Pet Prescription Team for certification. Once certified the Pet Prescription Team places Liability Insurance on both the dog and owner while out on Pet Prescription Team therapy visits.
Australia
Delta Therapy Dogs www.deltasociety.com.au/pages/delta-therapy-dogs.html
Delta Therapy Dogs is a heartwarming program that brings the joys of animal companionship to those who need it most. - Delta’s volunteer Therapy Dog Teams brighten the lives of an estimated 20,000 Australians in hospitals and care facilities every week.
- Delta Therapy Dogs world class program is the largest of its kind in Australia with over 1000+ volunteers and their special dogs making regular visits to health care facilities to offer the wonderful benefits of pet therapy, spend time with patients and offer a chat, a floppy ear to listen and a paw to shake.
- There are currently over 850 facilities involved nationally ranging from aged care through to acute care hospitals for children and adults as well mental health, prisons and dementia specific facilities.
Become a Volunteer Delta Therapy Team
Delta volunteers and their amazing therapy dogs are their most valued resources, and are always looking for new volunteer teams to join Delta Therapy Dogs program.
- Do you have a dog with a good temperament?
- Do you have an hour or two to spare every week?
- Are you interested in volunteering in your local community?
- Do you love talking with people about your dog?
If you answered yes to all these questions, then volunteering with Delta Therapy Dogs could be an incredibly rewarding experience for you. To become a Delta Therapy team, your dog must pass a strict temperament assessment with you, and you must complete a volunteer training session.
- What is required?
- Is your dog suitable?
- Watch the temperament testing procedures video
If you feel that your dog would make a perfect Therapy Dog, then click here: www.deltasociety.com.au/pages/register-your-interest.html
UK
Pets As Therapy is a national charity founded in 1983. It provides therapeutic visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other venues by volunteers with their own friendly, temperament tested and vaccinated dogs & cats.
Since its beginning over 28,000 PAT dogs have been registered into the Pets As Therapy scheme. Every year some of these retire and new dogs, having first been examined and passed on health, temperament, suitability and stability grounds, join Pets As Therapy.
Today there are currently around 4,500 active PAT visiting dogs and 108 PAT cats at work in the UK. Every week these calm friendly dogs and cats give more than 130,000 people, both young and old, the pleasure and chance to cuddle and talk to them. The bedsides that are visited each year number a staggering half million.
Each Pets As Therapy dog has an identifying tag on its collar and many of them wear a distinctive yellow coat. The owner has a photo ID badge which is worn for security at all times when visiting. Pets As Therapy have introduced a photo ID tag for its Pets As Therapy Dogs & Cats as well. As the largest charity of its type in Europe, Pets As Therapy recognises that security needs are paramount and that busy authorities and on duty staff alike, need the reassurance of a therapeutic supportive service which is problem free.