Can My Dog Be A Therapy Dog?
"The relationship between the therapy dog and handler is crucial to the interaction
that occurs with the person they visit." - Kris Butler, Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation
that occurs with the person they visit." - Kris Butler, Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation
Although this text referrers to dogs it is also true for all pets so if you plan to volunteer with a bird, cat, rabbit or other species please also read carefully - and please scroll down for link to more information on alternate species.
APTITUDE - SKILL - TEAMWORK
Is your animal SUITABLE for therapy work? (Social Aptitude)
Is your animal READY for therapy work? (Skills Training)
Are you and your animal effectively working together as a TEAM? (Handlers Training)
If your dog (or other pet) enjoys interacting with strangers in unfamiliar environments chances are he or she could make a wonderful therapy pet! Any breed of dog can be a wonderful therapy dog - and many other domestic species too! HOWEVER, it's important to understand that both Pet Partners and Angel Paws screens, trains, registers and insures Therapy TEAMS as opposed to animals. ("team" = 1 animal & 1 handler) On the surface this may seem like simple semantics but the concept of TEAMwork between the animal and handler is key, unique to this particular activity! - and too often underestimated. It is important to note that "No other animal related event, no sport nor competition requires an animal to enter the intimate zones of unfamiliar humans & remain there for several minutes of petting and hugging … Most animals have been bred for generations to distinguish between outsiders & family, & to act accordingly. Therapy Pets are no different." (Kris Butler) All dogs & cats must be at least 1 year old and have lived with their owner for at least 6 months.
See information below about optional, complimentary, Pre-Screening with Angel Paws' Instructor/Evaluator.
See information below about optional, complimentary, Pre-Screening with Angel Paws' Instructor/Evaluator.
|
DOG HANDLERS Often it is the quieter dogs whose owners think "listen better" so they mistakenly assume they would be a better therapy dog than the gregarious overly enthusiastic or "too friendly" dog. Sometimes quiet dogs are terrific therapy dogs! But what we too often learn is that many quiet dogs who appear to "listen better" are quiet and "listen better" because they lack confidence and/or they are not very interested in interacting with strangers. On the other hand many more gregarious dogs who may seem least appropriate could make the MOST WONDERFUL therapy dogs once they learn manners but few if any learn those manners without systematic training. ALL dogs need training and consistent communication to be able to willingly respond to the necessary verbal/visual cues we require. Can you imagine how your children would behave in a restaurant or even at home if they had never been taught manners? Didn’t it take a lot of repetition before they could reliably be trusted to behave well at the dinner table, in public and with guests? Dogs are no different except that they don’t speak English. And try to think of the various levels of manners required for children. The manners expected at McDonald's are quite different from the manners expected at Bob Evans or eventually in a fancy restaurant with white linen table cloths. ALL dogs need systematic training to learn the level of reliable manners required to be a therapy dog. Dog's simply don't speak english so a systematic process of repetitive instruction is imperative to teach reliable manners.
Any animal can be trained the necessary manners but no animal can be trained to enjoy interacting with strangers if they don't want to. Too many animals who don't enjoy it are forced into it which is neither fair to the animal or to the clients which is another reason we want to do all we can to help those who do have animals who would enjoy and be good at it. Also, some animals who have the potential to be wonderful therapy animals are pushed into it too soon before they are truly ready so although training & socializing can not begin early enough it does take some animals more time than others to be appropriate for certain venues or to be suitable at all. The key is to start NOW with a good, professionally trained Positive Reinforcement Trainer. Positive Reinforcement can mean many things to many people so we have provided a list of recommended trainers & courses for you that will most benefit your preparation for therapy work!
(see bottom of page for pre-screen, feedback & support information)
|
VIDEO: Moment By Moment - Delta Society Pet Partners
Pet Partners Prerequisites & Training & Registration Process in a Nutshell
|
APTITUDE - SKILL - TEAMWORK
|
There are basically 3 necessary overall components to being a successful Pet Partners therapy TEAM and, generally speaking, at least 2 of those 3 components have more to do with the handler's desire, commitment, knowledge, training and skill rather than the animal. In order to be able to inspire confidence and comfort in the various people therapy pets visit Pet Partners TEAMS (BOTH animals and handlers) must possess the following:
|
#1. APTITUDE & SOCIALIZATION – CONFIDENTLY SEEKS & ENJOYS INTERACTION WITH STRANGERS IN UNFAMILIAR CIRCUMSTANCES.(handler responsibility to varying degrees depending on the individual)
#2. SKILLS / MANNERS – RELAXED RELIABLE RESPONSE TO VERBAL/VISUAL CUES ON A LOOSE LEASH. (100% handler responsibility) Species requirements vary. #3. - TEAMWORK & LEADERSHIP - CONFIDENT, RELAXED APPLICATION of BOTH SKILLS & APTITUDE - INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER AT THE SAME TIME AS INTERACTING WITH OTHERS - ABILITY TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE. (100% handler responsibility). |
#1. APTITUDE & SOCIALIZATION – CONFIDENTLY SEEKS & ENJOYS INTERACTION WITH STRANGERS IN UNFAMILIAR CIRCUMSTANCES.(handler responsibility to varying degrees depending on the individual) Some animals (just like some handlers) have a natural aptitude for this kind of work (friendly and confident) and some don’t (shy and reserved or fearful). Not all animals can be happy therapy animals but sometimes the aptitude of animals who may lack socialization can be successfully influenced by appropriate socialization, confidence building, skill and systematic desensitization training. NOT ALWAYS, but it is SOMETIMES possible. Without appropriate training, socialization, and leadership the aptitude of even otherwise appropriate animals can decline and it is unfair to visit with an animal who has not been appropriately trained and socialized - skills maintained - regardless of innate aptitude. And many animals would not be appropriate no matter how much socialization or training they have received. Animals must enjoy rather than merely tolerate various forms of interaction with strangers in unfamiliar circumstances. Handler aptitude - the ability to interact socially while effectively working with & supporting your pet AT THE SAME TIME as well as sensitivity and compassion for those they visit comes much more naturally to some people than others. This takes training and practice on the handlers part as well. Socialization without appropriate training (for both animals and handlers) may thwart the process - BOTH are important as well as Leadership. (Leadership is NOT to be confused with dominance, please see our Leadership page to learn the important difference between leadership and dominance) And it's important to understand that for many animals no amount of training and socialization can force them to enjoy interaction with strangers if they don't come by it naturally and it would not be fair to the animal or safe to clients to try. If they don't enjoy it they are not appropriate for this work and it is important to be objective about this.
#2. SKILLS / MANNERS – RELAXED RELIABLE RESPONSE TO VERBAL/VISUAL CUES ON A LOOSE LEASH. (100% handler responsibility- more relevant to dogs and equines) Any animal can be taught the required skills & manners regardless of age (all dogs must be at least 1 year old to be tested but training should begin as early as possible) - some easier than others but it’s up to the handler to teach and consistently maintain basic skills. Precision obedience skills for dogs are not necessary but the willing, reliable, relaxed response to basic verbal/visual cues to "sit", "down", "stay", "come", "wait", "leave it" and "heel" or specific cue to walk close by on a LOOSE leash are all essential (leash as an insurance policy only rather than as a means of physical control or correction - visible slack from hand to animal). Even people who love dogs may be feeling extraordinarily fragile so if our dogs are not able to reliably demonstrate those relaxed basic skills and manners they will not enjoy the visit as much as they could and therefore the visit may not be as beneficial or enjoyable for anyone (client, handler or animal). Comfort level of those we encounter (even from a distance) who do not like dogs or other animals must be respected as well. Dogs and other species who understand what is expected and are able to comfortably interact with reliable manners are much happier, more relaxed and confident - and therefore more therapeutic to visit with. Although skills for therapy dogs are not extraordinary (just basic manners and willing response to basic verbal/visual cues) the level of reliability and predictability may be higher than what may ordinarily be acceptable during casual interactions. ALL dogs need training and consistently communicated boundaries to be able to willingly respond to the necessary verbal/visual cues we require. Handler skill is important also, regardless of how skilled the animal is.
Handler skills for therapeutic visitation requires training as well - regardless of species of animal the handler plans to work with. Handlers must be able to work smoothly and effectively with their animal in a relaxed manner at the same time they are interacting with a wide variety of people who may have special needs themselves in potentially emotionally charged &/or unpredictable situations. Pet Partners and Angel Paws joins countless others including the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior in our belief that skills for this activity especially (for both animal and handler) are best learned through sound systematic Positive Reinforcement methods taught by a professional dog trainer formally trained in Positive Reinforcement methods. We firmly believe that true positive reinforcement methods are even more important for therapy dog work! Please see our Position Statement on Therapy Dog Training , Recommended Dog Trainers and other links regarding dog training. And animal handling skills alone for either animal or handler are not enough...
Handler skills for therapeutic visitation requires training as well - regardless of species of animal the handler plans to work with. Handlers must be able to work smoothly and effectively with their animal in a relaxed manner at the same time they are interacting with a wide variety of people who may have special needs themselves in potentially emotionally charged &/or unpredictable situations. Pet Partners and Angel Paws joins countless others including the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior in our belief that skills for this activity especially (for both animal and handler) are best learned through sound systematic Positive Reinforcement methods taught by a professional dog trainer formally trained in Positive Reinforcement methods. We firmly believe that true positive reinforcement methods are even more important for therapy dog work! Please see our Position Statement on Therapy Dog Training , Recommended Dog Trainers and other links regarding dog training. And animal handling skills alone for either animal or handler are not enough...
#3. - TEAMWORK & LEADERSHIP - CONFIDENT, RELAXED APPLICATION of BOTH SKILLS & APTITUDE WHILE INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER AT THE SAME TIME AS INTERACTING WITH OTHERS - ABILITY TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE. (100% handler responsibility). Even the most natural and well trained therapy animals are only as safe, effective, happy, relaxed and comfortable as his or her handler. And all the training in the world is only as good as it is applied in practical settings. The handler makes up 50% of the team but is 100% responsible for comfort, quality & safety. The team must inspire confidence in the comfort, safety and control in both their animal and in those they visit and anyone observing from a distance in sometimes sensitive or emotionally charged situations. This requires both training AND an understanding of the concept, importance and practice of PRO-Active LEADERSHIP! (Leadership is NOT to be confused with dominance, please see our Leadership page to learn the important difference between leadership and dominance) Please take advantage of the other links on this site here to help you including What Makes a Pet Partner Therapy Team - Volunteer Service Description! Pet Partners Handlers Course and Angel Paws Training & Orientation.
We would be thrilled to have you volunteering with us and are here to help you succeed!
It is our privilege to guide you through the process of becoming a safe and effective therapy team.
It is our privilege to guide you through the process of becoming a safe and effective therapy team.
|
HOW TO CHOOSE A TRAINER
"Choosing a dog trainer can be one of the most important decisions that you make in your dog's life. The techniques that a trainer uses can strongly affect how you interact with your dog for years to come. Therefore, it is very important to choose your trainer wisely. Here are some guidelines for choosing a dog trainer. Remember, training should be a fun experience for both you and your dog. ... Trainers who routinely use choke collars, pinch collars, shock collars and other methods of physical punishment as a primary training method should be avoided. " - AVSAB |
* Does YOUR dog need special "therapy dog training"? Please Click HERE for more information about what kind of dog training is most beneficial & why.
* PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR RECOMMENDED DOG TRAINING CLASSES & DISCOUNTS FOR ANGEL PAWS CANDIDATES. 
Click on Image to Enlarge
"AVSAB’s position is that punishment (e.g. CHOKE CHAINS, PINCH COLLARS, AND ELECTRIC COLLARS) should NOT be used as a first-line or early use treatment for behavior problems." - American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
|
COMPLIMENTARY PRE-SCREEN, FEEDBACK & SUPPORT
We would like to do all we can to help you make an informed decision if this work is right for you and your pet - and, if so - help you succeed! If you would like to meet with Angel Paws Instructor/Evaluator for a 1 on 1 pre-screening, feedback & support we are happy to provide that. This pre-screen is not required but offered as a courtesy to help you in your decision as to whether or not to pursue further training and preparation. (click HERE for Instructor/Evaluator bio)
We would like to do all we can to help you make an informed decision if this work is right for you and your pet - and, if so - help you succeed! If you would like to meet with Angel Paws Instructor/Evaluator for a 1 on 1 pre-screening, feedback & support we are happy to provide that. This pre-screen is not required but offered as a courtesy to help you in your decision as to whether or not to pursue further training and preparation. (click HERE for Instructor/Evaluator bio)
IMPORTANT DOG TRAINING WEB PAGES INCLUDE:
|