Although highly recommended, our Angel Paws Therapy Dog Training Course is not required to volunteer with Angel Paws or to become a registered Delta Society Pet Partners therapy team but candidates who have completed Positive Reinforcement Dog Training with a professional find it extremely beneficial and tend to have a higher rate of success with subsequent requirements so we do offer this course as an option,  depending on enrollment and trainer availability. 

Please see our Angel Paws Dog Training Position Statement, Can My Dog Be a Therapy Dog,  What Kind of Training Does My Dog Need to be a Therapy Dog?  pages & CONTACT us A.S.A.P. so that we may help you  prepare wisely well in advance by arranging appropriate basic dog training with one of our recommended dog trainers if necessary.   If you have not already reviewed our Training & Registration Process page and returned both the volunteer application and "15 Questions to ask yourself if ..." .doc files please do so by clicking HERE.  (files are also provided below) This will help us, and you, decide what your next best step would be.
   
Although it is not required to have completed our Pet Partners Handlers Workshop to participate in this course, the foundation laid in that workshop may help candidates make the most of subsequent dog training.  Completion of the Pet Partners Handlers workshop IS required before taking the Skills & Aptitude Test.     

Dog Training Scholarships may be available for qualified candidates.   for more information about scholarships after you have completed both the Team Application and "15 Questions to ask yourself if ..." at https://angelpawstherapy.org/required-training--registration-process.html 

NOTE:   It is essential to remember that completion of this or any other dog training course (even "Therapy Dog Training" courses) does NOT  guarantee that you OR your dog will pass the required Pet Partners Skills & Aptitude Test OR continue on to be safe and effective Pet Partners - success depends on the independent skills & aptitude of each individual team - as a TEAM - demonstrated not only during the test but beyond the test as well.   

WHAT:   FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS FOR THERAPY TEAM CANDIDATES I & II  will consist of one 12 week Course offered in 2 six week segments for therapy dog candidates and their handlers.  Prerequisites must be met to be eligible to register and pay for only Fundamental Skills II.  Candidates not eligible to register and pay for only Fundamental Skills II will be required to begin with our Fundamental Skills I by registering and paying for BOTH segments.  Candidates who do not yet meet the prerequisites for Fundamental Skills II (described below) and do not yet feel ready to commit to both segments are encouraged to seek the required fundamental skills training from one of our recommended trainers (highly recommended) or the trainer of their choice.  Once requirements are met candidates will be eligible to register and pay for Fundamental Skills II when available.  

FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS I   (6 weeks )
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: All candidates are required to register and commit to both Fundamental Skills I & II at the price set for BOTH segments unless and until they are able to meet the prerequisites (described below) for our Fundamental Skills II.  Topics covered: 

• Basic Operant Conditioning & Positive Reinforcement Dog Training Techniques (with & without clickers)
• Acceptable and appropriate supplies and equipment for Therapy Dog Training
• "Sit", "Down", "Stay", "Come" (on leash from 10' away),
• Introduce "Off" or "Leave It", "Wait", "Heel" (or casually walk close to handler on loose leash but MUST use definitive 1 or 2 word cue NEVER used for ANYTHING else)
• Basic understanding of PRO-Active, Assertive Leadership
• Calming Signals & Stress Relief
  
• Appropriate Socialization

 
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS II  (6 weeks )

REGISTRATION PREREQUISITES:  Only teams who qualify for this segment will be eligible to register and pay for this segment only.     It is anticipated that teams who have completed Angel Paws’ Fundamental Skills for Therapy Dog Teams I will qualify for Fundamental Skills II.  Our own Fundamentals I class is not required to qualify as long as candidates meet the following necessary prerequisites.   Prerequisites for Handlers include the understanding and ability to effectively practice true systematic Positive Reinforcement techniques.  Dogs must be able to reliably respond to a verbal/visual cue to sit, down, stay (for 10 seconds from 10 feet away) and handlers (if not dogs) must also have a solid start on how to effectively work on being able to teach their dogs to walk on a loose leash - all on a flat buckle collar or other approved equipment. Topics covered: 

• Further emphasis on PRO-active Assertive Leadership
• Fine Tune "Leave It", "Wait", "Heel" (or walk on loose leash but MUST use 1 word cue NEVER used for ANYTHING else)
• Greeting & Positioning for AAI (Animal Assisted Interventions)
• Greeting and passing a Neutral Dog
• Calming Signals & Stress Relief
• Socialization
• Desensitization to visual, auditory, touch challenges (if necessary)
• Exposure to & Comfort with medical equipment (Desensitization if necessary)
• How to begin, if not complete, the process of weaning off special training equipment (GL’s and no pull harnesses) GL’s to be avoided from the start if at all possible)
• Client Interactions
• Pet Partners Skills & Aptitude Test Requirements

PLEASE DOWNLOAD, COMPLETE & RETURN:  Both Angel Paws Animal/Handler Team Application and "15 Questions ..." .doc files below if you have not already done so.  This information will help us help you to the best of our ability!  These files are open to be typed onto so please complete and return by email.

15 Questions to Ask Yourself if You Are Interested In Volunteering as a Pet Partners® Therapy Team
This is not a test.  Your candid answers to these questions will simply help us, and you, know how we may best help you get started on the road to success in our program.    Click on Fullscreen to view.  Please download, complete & return both Team Application & 15  SA Quest .doc files below if you have not already done so.  

Our goal is to preserve and nurture your dog's spontaneous, natural curiosity, interest, and joy for interacting with others - while teaching the appropriate manners and teamwork necessary to be a safe and effective therapy team! 

WHERE:  This Course is held in the spacious rear annex building of Newark Heights Church of God, 1092 West Church St. (just West of 30th St.) easily accessed from Rt. 16 in Newark, OH.  This facility has ample parking, central air conditioning/heat and includes beautifully maintained wide open green spaces for out door exercises in appropriate weather.  This course will also include at least 1 field trip to an unfamiliar indoor area. 
Click HERE for Google Map - also included below

This course teaches Positive Reinforcement Dog Training  The understanding & ability to effectively practice true systematic Positive Reinforcement techniques is required to be eligible to register for our Fundamentals Skills II class.  Fundamental Skills I, another basic course, workshop, or private lesson(s) with one of our Recommended Trainers may be required before you are eligible to participate in our Fundamental Skills II class.  For more information about Positive Reinforcement see our Positive Reinforcement web page and trainer Julia Kopan's web page.

We regret that we are not able to conduct this course as often as we would like due to the wide variety of levels our candidates begin with and this course does require a minimum level of basic skills.  
However there is much you can do to begin now so 
please do NOT wait for one of these courses 
to begin training!  Start NOW!

PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PREPARING FOR ANGEL PAWS AND CHECK WITH OUR  RECOMMENDED TRAINERS 
FOR ON-GOING DOG TRAINING CLASSES. 

All participants of all classes are required to bring training treats (high value, smelly, soft, pre-cut to NO LARGER than the size of an M&M or eraser on the end of a pencil), something easily accessible to carry treats in and a bandanna for your dog to be reserved ONLY for training and controlled (on leash) socialization.   Please also see our  Can My Pet be a Therapy Pet?, What Kind of Training Does My Dog Need to be a Therapy Dog?, acceptable Equipment pages and Contact us for pre-interview & more information  to reserve a space. 

***  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Often we love our dogs so much that we may have unrealistic expectations of them.  Please remember that this course, as in ALL dog training classes,  does not train dogs but trains people to practice the techniques and communication necessary to develop an on-going reliable and relaxed working relationship with their dogs so that they will be able to sufficiently  inspire confidence in safety comfort and control of their dog while visiting with others in potentially emotionally charged situations.  Practice in a variety of locations between classes is required.  It is unfair and unrealistic to expect our dogs to relax, focus & learn if we are not willing or able to take the time to practice teaching our dogs what WE learn in between classes and to socialize and train them in a variety of unfamiliar locations as soon as they are ready.  Ample free, fun exercise and mental stimulation between classes is also important.  We promise you will be forever grateful that you took the time to do so regardless of what you choose to do with your dogs in the future - and they will love you all the more for it!  Because all participants in this course share a common goal these classes may progress at a faster pace than some might tend to expect which makes the prerequisites and practice in between sessions all the more important - however the class size is kept small to allow ample individual attention. 

Newark Heights Church of God
THANKS SO MUCH TO PASTOR SCOTT MURPHY & HIS WIFE TAMMY FOR DONATING THE USE OF THIS WONDERFUL SPACE!

Can My Dog Be A Therapy Dog?
What kind of training does my dog need?
Socialization
Equipment
Recommended Dog Trainers
Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
Why No Choke Chains, Prong or Pinch Collars
AVSAB Position Statements
Canine Behavior Myths