The profound health benefits dogs offer to humans are becoming increasingly recognized, leading to a surge in public interest regarding therapy animals. These special dogs provide solace in stressful situations, offer comfort to those experiencing grief or loneliness, and share affection with individuals in various institutional settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. If you believe your friendly, well-behaved dog has a natural affinity for people, you might be wondering How To Train Your Dog To Be A Therapy Animal and embark on this incredibly rewarding journey.
It’s crucial to understand the distinct role of a therapy dog. Unlike service dogs, which are specifically trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities and have full public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), therapy dogs offer general comfort and affection. They also differ from emotional support animals, which require a prescription from a mental health professional but do not need specialized training or certifications. To understand more about getting your canine companion ready for such a role, consider how to train your dog into a therapy dog.
Understanding the Role of a Therapy Dog
A therapy dog’s primary function is to provide comfort and affection to people, whether in a facility or to specific individuals dealing with physical or emotional challenges. The benefits these dogs bring to humans are extensive, including lowering blood pressure and heart rate, reducing patient anxiety, and increasing levels of endorphins and oxytocin. This positive impact isn’t one-sided; studies indicate that therapy dogs also benefit from their work, showing higher levels of endorphins and oxytocin compared to average family pets.
Linda Keehn, CPDT-KA, a therapy dog trainer, evaluator, and handler, and owner of Positive Canine Training and Services, highlights that therapy dogs visit a wide range of venues, from hospitals and nursing homes to libraries, schools, and even disaster sites – essentially any place where their presence can be helpful. However, a dog cannot simply visit a relative in a hospital without official standing. Therapy dogs require certification and registration with a reputable national organization. This certification is the culmination of a rigorous process that includes temperament assessment, specialized training, and more, ensuring both the dog and handler are prepared for their vital work.
A Labrador Retriever being tested for therapy dog certification, interacting calmly with a person in a wheelchair.
Is Your Dog a Good Candidate for Therapy Work?
While your dog’s unconditional love for you is heartwarming, it doesn’t automatically qualify them for therapy work. Similarly, an empathetic owner might not automatically be an ideal therapy dog team member without the right canine partner. So, what specific qualities define a good therapy dog, and what does it take to become a successful team?
Therapy dogs typically need to be adults, with many organizations setting a minimum age of one year. Most organizations also require dogs to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test for obedience, or a therapy-specific test. 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 that struggles with commands like “leave it” or doesn’t interact kindly with children is unlikely to succeed.
Beyond these foundational requirements, age and breed are largely irrelevant. Keehn has successfully tested dogs ranging from a four-pound Yorkshire Terrier to a 13-year-old Beagle, both of whom excelled. The dog must possess a naturally social temperament, not be overly young or boisterous, and, crucially, must genuinely enjoy the “job.” Most dogs thrive with a purpose, and therapy work can be a wonderful one, but it’s essential not to force a dog into a role it doesn’t want. If you’re looking to improve your dog’s responsiveness, learning how to get your dog to listen to you is a great start.
To truly assess your dog’s suitability, Keehn advises observing them closely and objectively. The most important question to ask is whether your dog genuinely enjoys affection from people other than you. Does your dog actively seek attention from new people in various environments, exhibiting a calm demeanor? A dog might be wonderfully behaved at home but different in novel situations. 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. Additionally, most therapy dog organizations mandate that dogs be healthy and well-groomed, with up-to-date health and wellness check-ups.
A therapy dog handler gently guiding their dog through a public space, demonstrating calm and control.
Becoming an Effective Therapy Animal Handler
Training a therapy animal opens up a world of new experiences for both dog and owner. It’s a journey where your dog’s world expands, and together, you contribute positively to your community. Keehn suggests joining a national or local therapy chapter that organizes social events, allowing both you and your dog to connect with others. She stresses that therapy dog work is as beneficial for the handler as it is for the dog. However, handlers must be prepared to sometimes take on unexpected roles. For example, if your dog tends to be easily distracted, it might be beneficial to explore how to get dog to stop barking at night for more overall calm.
“Stepping outside of yourself and giving back to the community can significantly improve your own mental and physical health,” Keehn notes. When visiting organizations or hospitals, handlers might be the only non-medical person a client sees, potentially engaging in the only real conversation they’ve had in days. Handlers must be prepared to connect with clients, and taking a cognitive dog training course can be particularly helpful.
Further good advice for handlers includes seeking mentorship from experienced handlers who understand how to train a therapy animal. Consulting a reputable dog trainer for additional guidance or experience is also highly recommended. At a minimum, most therapy dog organizations provide ample printed materials or online resources to aid in preparation. Handlers also often have the flexibility to choose their work environments. If your dog enjoys interacting with children, visiting schools or libraries might be ideal. Conversely, if you prefer not to work with children, home visits with the elderly could be a more suitable option, ensuring a good match for both halves of the therapy team.
An Australian Shepherd therapy dog calmly sitting beside its owner, providing comfort and companionship.
Practical Steps: How to Train Your Dog to Be a Therapy Animal
The path to training a therapy animal can be undertaken independently or with professional assistance. Keehn advises seeking out formal organizations that list well-educated trainers on their websites to guide you through the process of becoming a certified therapy team.
If private training costs are a concern, Keehn recommends reviewing the AKC CGC test for its ten basic commands and utilizing free resources like YouTube videos for training tips. Enrolling in a group Canine Good Citizen class is another excellent option, potentially followed by more focused, targeted classes. While these ten commands are essential for passing the CGC test, the underlying training, especially when conducted with positive reinforcement, is invaluable and fosters lifelong good behavior. To enhance overall obedience, mastering skills like how to train your dog to come off leash can be very beneficial.
Keehn emphasizes that “Every time you interact with your dog, your dog is learning something.” It’s crucial to reinforce desired behaviors and maintain training criteria at a level your dog can comfortably handle. Clear communication, using both non-verbal and verbal cues, is key. Dogs learn to follow their basic instincts to sit and lie down by understanding what is comfortable and rewarding. Ultimately, learning how to train your dog to be a therapy animal is a significant undertaking, demanding dedication from both dog and handler. Some of the world’s most well-trained dogs may never be suitable due to their temperament, while others, initially challenging to train, can flourish with the right approach and become exceptional therapy animals.
Conclusion
Understanding how to train your dog to be a therapy animal involves a multifaceted approach, encompassing the dog’s natural temperament, rigorous training, and the handler’s commitment. Therapy dogs offer immense benefits, bringing comfort and joy to those in need, and their unique role requires specific traits and extensive preparation. From recognizing the qualities that make a good therapy candidate to mastering obedience and seeking appropriate certifications, every step contributes to a successful therapy animal team. If you’re ready to explore this rewarding path, delve deeper into how to train your dog to be a therapy dog. By dedicating yourself to this process, you and your canine companion can make a profound and positive impact on your community.
