Although this text referrers primarily 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.
so if you plan to volunteer with a bird, cat, rabbit or other species please also read carefully.
Can My Pet Be A Therapy Pet?
"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
Handler is 50% of the team but 100% responsible!
If your dog (or other pet) enjoys interacting with strangers away from home chances are he or she could make a wonderful therapy pet! However it's important to understand that neither Delta Society nor Angel Paws certifies "Therapy Dogs". Both Delta Society and Angel Paws screens, trains and registers Therapy TEAMS. The concept of TEAMwork between the animal and handler is key. All dogs & cats must be at least 1 year old and have lived with their owner for at least 6 months. There are basically 3 necessary overall components to being a Pet Partners therapy TEAM and, generally speaking, 2.5 out of 3 of those components have more to do with the handler's desire and commitment rather than the dog. In order to inspire confidence in the various people therapy pets visit Pet Partners teams must possess the following:
#1. SKILLS– (handler responsibility) any dog can be taught the required skills & manners regardless of age - some easier than others but it’s up to the handler to teach and consistently maintain basic skills. Without basic skills and manners even people who love dogs may be feeling extraordinarily fragile so will not enjoy the visit as much as they could and therefore the visit may not be as beneficial. Comfort level of those we encounter (even from a distance) who do not like dogs must be respected as well. Dogs who understand what is expected and are able to defer are much happier, more comfortable, relaxed, 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 may be higher than what may ordinarily be acceptable.
#2. SOCIALIZATION & APTITUDE – (also handler responsibility to varying degrees depending on the individual) some dogs have a natural aptitude for this kind of work and some don’t but sometimes the aptitude of dogs who may lack socialization can and often are successfully influenced by appropriate socialization and training. Not always but more often than many people may think. Without appropriate training, socialization and leadership the aptitude of even otherwise appropriate dogs can decline and it is unfair to visit with a dog who has not been appropriately trained and socialized - skills maintained - regardless of aptitude. Socialization without appropriate training may thwart the process as well - BOTH are important as well as Leadership.
#3. - TEAMWORK & LEADERSHIP and APPLICATION of skills & aptitude (handler responsibility) . Even the most natural therapy dogs are only as safe, effective, happy, relaxed and comfortable as his or her handler. The handler makes up 50% of the team but is 100% responsible for comfort, quality & safety. This requires both training AND an understanding of the concept, importance and practice of LEADERSHIP! Please take advantage of the other links on this site here to help you!
PLEASE ALSO SEE: Angel Paws Position on Dog Training, What Kind Of Training Does My Dog Need & Acceptable Equipment.
If your dog (or other pet) enjoys interacting with strangers away from home chances are he or she could make a wonderful therapy pet! However it's important to understand that neither Delta Society nor Angel Paws certifies "Therapy Dogs". Both Delta Society and Angel Paws screens, trains and registers Therapy TEAMS. The concept of TEAMwork between the animal and handler is key. All dogs & cats must be at least 1 year old and have lived with their owner for at least 6 months. There are basically 3 necessary overall components to being a Pet Partners therapy TEAM and, generally speaking, 2.5 out of 3 of those components have more to do with the handler's desire and commitment rather than the dog. In order to inspire confidence in the various people therapy pets visit Pet Partners teams must possess the following:
#1. SKILLS– (handler responsibility) any dog can be taught the required skills & manners regardless of age - some easier than others but it’s up to the handler to teach and consistently maintain basic skills. Without basic skills and manners even people who love dogs may be feeling extraordinarily fragile so will not enjoy the visit as much as they could and therefore the visit may not be as beneficial. Comfort level of those we encounter (even from a distance) who do not like dogs must be respected as well. Dogs who understand what is expected and are able to defer are much happier, more comfortable, relaxed, 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 may be higher than what may ordinarily be acceptable.
#2. SOCIALIZATION & APTITUDE – (also handler responsibility to varying degrees depending on the individual) some dogs have a natural aptitude for this kind of work and some don’t but sometimes the aptitude of dogs who may lack socialization can and often are successfully influenced by appropriate socialization and training. Not always but more often than many people may think. Without appropriate training, socialization and leadership the aptitude of even otherwise appropriate dogs can decline and it is unfair to visit with a dog who has not been appropriately trained and socialized - skills maintained - regardless of aptitude. Socialization without appropriate training may thwart the process as well - BOTH are important as well as Leadership.
#3. - TEAMWORK & LEADERSHIP and APPLICATION of skills & aptitude (handler responsibility) . Even the most natural therapy dogs are only as safe, effective, happy, relaxed and comfortable as his or her handler. The handler makes up 50% of the team but is 100% responsible for comfort, quality & safety. This requires both training AND an understanding of the concept, importance and practice of LEADERSHIP! Please take advantage of the other links on this site here to help you!
PLEASE ALSO SEE: Angel Paws Position on Dog Training, What Kind Of Training Does My Dog Need & Acceptable Equipment.
Related pages ...
