|
Some people have self-trained their pets for Pet Therapy.
There are, however, official training programs available.
Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) provides registered therapy dog teams. A dog's skills and behaviors are checked using the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Test with some extra requirements. These additional parts include:
- Reaction to Medical Equipment
- "Leave It"
- Acclimation to Infirmities
- Supervised Separation
- "Say Hello"
Dogs who pass all the AKC requirements of the test will receive the AKC-CGC Certificate.
TDI now has a new test for disaster relief dogs. Qualified dog/handler teams who served in NYC/NJ in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 will be grandfathered as Disaster Relief Teams.
Some of the guidelines set by the TDI for successful therapy dogs include:
- well groomed, clean, and able to be groomed by a stranger
- proof of health and all shots
- appear healthy, alert
- yearly physical and stool check, animal heartworm checkup
- accept strangers
- walk on a loose lead
- walk through a crowd
- sit for an examination (not shy of people)
- sit and lay down on command
- stay in position
- show no more than a casual interest in strange dogs
- no reaction to distraction
- can be left alone without trainer
|
|
|
