In recent years, the profound health benefits of dogs have become increasingly recognized, sparking a growing public interest in therapy dogs. These remarkable canines provide invaluable comfort and support, offering solace to individuals in stressful situations, bringing joy to those experiencing grief or loneliness, and sharing affection within institutions like hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. If you’re a proud owner of a friendly, well-behaved dog who naturally loves human interaction, you might be wondering, “How To Train My Dog To Be A Therapy Dog?” This guide will walk you through the process, requirements, and considerations for embarking on this fulfilling journey with your canine companion.
What Exactly Is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is specially trained to provide comfort and affection to people, either in a facility setting or through individual visitations to help address physical or emotional challenges. It’s crucial to understand that therapy dogs are distinct from other working canines. They are not service dogs, who are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities and are granted full public access under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Similarly, they are not emotional support animals, which require a prescription from a mental health professional but do not need specialized training or certification. Therapy dogs operate under different guidelines, primarily focusing on providing generalized comfort rather than specific tasks for one individual.
The Rewarding Reasons to Train a Therapy Dog
The benefits that therapy dogs bring to humans are extensive. Their presence can significantly help lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduce anxiety in patients, and boost levels of endorphins and oxytocin, promoting a sense of well-being. But the positive impact isn’t one-sided. Research indicates that therapy dogs also thrive on their work. Studies have shown that therapy dogs exhibit higher levels of endorphins and oxytocin compared to average family pets, suggesting they genuinely enjoy their role.
Linda Keehn, CPDT-KA, a therapy dog trainer, evaluator, handler, and owner of Positive Canine Training and Services in New York, notes, “Therapy dogs go out to hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, schools, disasters. Essentially any venue where a clientele exists and it would be helpful for the dogs to be there.” However, unlike casual visits, therapy dogs require formal certification and registration with a reputable national organization. This certification process is the final step in a dedicated path that includes a thorough temperament assessment and specialized training.
A therapy dog being tested for its temperament and obedience skills by an evaluator
Can Any Dog Become a Therapy Dog?
While your dog may shower you with unconditional love, that doesn’t automatically qualify them for therapy work. Likewise, an empathetic human alone doesn’t guarantee a successful therapy dog team. So, what truly makes a good therapy dog, and how do you become a therapy dog team?
Most organizations require therapy dogs to have reached adulthood, often not allowing puppies under one year old to participate. Furthermore, many organizations mandate that dogs pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test for basic obedience. Some, however, utilize a therapy-specific test in its place. Keehn, who conducts both CGC and therapy certification evaluations, emphasizes the critical importance of these elements for any therapy dog in public settings. A dog unable to follow commands like “leave it” or interact calmly with children is unlikely to succeed.
Beyond these fundamental requirements, age and breed are less significant factors. Keehn has successfully tested dogs ranging from a tiny four-pound Yorkshire Terrier to a 13-year-old Beagle, both of whom excelled in their CGC tests. To ensure impartiality, Keehn only evaluates teams she has not personally trained. Crucially, in addition to basic obedience, a prospective therapy dog must possess a naturally social temperament, not be excessively young or overly boisterous, and, most importantly, genuinely desire the job. As Keehn points out, “Most dogs love jobs… But most dogs like some kind of job and this is a wonderful job for them to have. However, it’s not fair to give a dog a job that it doesn’t want.”
Assessing if Your Dog is Therapy Dog Material
Before you begin to contemplate how to train my dog to be a therapy dog, Keehn advises observing your dog closely and dispassionately to discern its true temperament. The most crucial question to ask yourself is whether your dog genuinely enjoys receiving affection from people other than you.
“Does the dog really enjoy interacting with new people in different scenarios?” Keehn asks. “Does it seek out attention from people and have a calm demeanor? It could be the nicest dog in your living room, but not elsewhere. Most often in a therapy situation, people just want a dog that sits next to them and lets itself be pet.” Essentially, strong therapy dog candidates are inherently calm, friendly, and affectionate towards strangers. They are also proficient in basic obedience and can easily adapt to unfamiliar noises, places, smells, and equipment. Most therapy dog organizations also require dogs to be in good health, well-groomed, and up-to-date on their regular health and wellness check-ups. Good temperament can even help a dog learn how to stop your dog barking at night, which is a key trait for a calm therapy dog.
Are You Ready to Be a Therapy Dog Handler?
Training a therapy dog opens up a world of new experiences for both the dog and its owner. Your dog’s social horizons expand, and together, you contribute positively to your community. Keehn recommends joining a national or local therapy chapter that organizes social events, allowing both you and your dog to connect with others. She emphasizes that therapy dog work benefits the handler as much as it does the dog, though handlers must sometimes be prepared for unforeseen roles.
“Getting out of yourself and giving back to the community can improve your own mental and physical health,” Keehn states. “When you’re bringing a dog to a veterans’ organization or hospital, you may be the only non-medical person they’re seeing. It may be the only real conversation they’ve had for days. Be prepared as the therapy dog handler to connect to the client.” She suggests considering a cognitive dog training course to enhance these skills. Seeking mentorship from an experienced handler and consulting a reputable trainer for additional guidance is also valuable. At a minimum, most therapy dog organizations provide printed materials or website resources for preparation. Furthermore, handlers often have the flexibility to choose their work environment. If your dog thrives with children, visiting schools or libraries might be ideal. If not, home visits with the elderly could be a better fit.
An Australian Shepherd emotional support dog sits calmly beside its senior owner, demonstrating a supportive presence
The Training Journey: How to Train My Dog to Be a Therapy Dog
When it comes to the practical steps of how to train my dog to be a therapy dog, you have the option of self-training or seeking professional assistance. Keehn, who helps owners train their dogs to become part of a therapy team, advises seeking out a formal organization that features well-educated trainers on their websites to guide you.
If private training isn’t feasible, Keehn suggests reviewing the CGC test for the ten basic commands and then utilizing online video resources, such as YouTube, for training tips. Enrolling in a group Canine Good Citizen class is another excellent option, potentially followed by more specialized and targeted classes. While these ten commands are essential for passing the CGC test, the underlying training, particularly when executed through positive reinforcement, provides invaluable skills that last a lifetime. This consistent approach can even help with more specific training, such as how to train recall in older dogs, ensuring a well-rounded and responsive therapy animal.
“Every time you interact with your dog, your dog is learning something,” Keehn confirms. “Reinforce the behavior you want. Keep your criteria at a level that your dog can handle. Be clear in your communication with non-verbal and verbal cues. You don’t need to touch the dog. They learn to follow their basic instincts to sit and lay down by doing what’s comfortable.” This approach fosters a positive learning environment, essential for a confident and effective therapy dog.
Key Tips for Training a Therapy Dog
Learning how to train my dog to be a therapy dog is not an easy undertaking; it demands significant effort from both the dog and the handler. Indeed, some of the most highly trained dogs may never be suitable for therapy work due to their inherent temperament. Conversely, certain dogs that are initially challenging to train can flourish with the right training approach and become exceptional therapy animals. The information above provides a comprehensive look into the process, but to distill it to the fundamentals, here are some key tips to get you started: focus on basic obedience, expose your dog to diverse environments and people calmly, and always prioritize their comfort and willingness to engage.
Conclusion
Embarking on the journey of training your dog to become a therapy animal is a profound commitment that offers immense rewards for both you, your dog, and the wider community. Understanding the distinction of a therapy dog, assessing your dog’s temperament and your own suitability as a handler, and committing to consistent, positive training are all vital steps. By following these guidelines and potentially seeking assistance from reputable organizations and trainers, you can successfully answer the question “how to train my dog to be a therapy dog.” This path not only enhances your bond with your canine companion but also allows you to share their unique gift of comfort and affection with those who need it most, making a tangible difference in countless lives.
