Class Description

Class Details & Requirements

The Therapy Dog Evaluation

Home Study Option

Is This the Right Class for My Dog?

Canine Good Citizen Evaluation Dates

Therapy Dog Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a Therapy Dog and a Service Dog?

Pictures from the Therapy Dog Class

Class Description

The focus of this class is on preparing the handler and dog for the therapy environment.  Skills include working around medical equipment, loud noises, food, toys, and other distractions.  Topics covered include stress and calming signals in dogs, infection control, medical ethics, general liability, and handling difficult visitation situations.  Class includes a field trip to observe a therapy visit, and information on local therapy locations.  The price of the class also includes a  therapy dog manual and a therapy dog evaluation.

Class Details

SEE OUR PACKAGE DEALS!

* Includes a Therapy Dog manual  for home-study, a shadowing visit, and a Therapy Dog evaluation.  For class participants, additional dogs with the same handler can be evaluated for either test at $35.00 per extra dog.  Additional handlers can be evaluated with the same dog for $35.00 per extra handler, but each handler must complete the Therapy Dog written test.

• One hour class for seven weeks.
   
• Sunday afternoons, 4:30-5:30 pm: instructor Mike Wallace
   
• First week is an orientation night without the dogs. 
  Shadowing visit is without the dogs.
   
• PLEASE NOTE:  WE WILL NOT HAVE CLASSES OR OFFICE HOURS ON EASTER WEEKEND, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND, LABOR DAY WEEKEND, THANKSGIVING WEEK, OR THE WEEK BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S DAY.

• Class schedules subject to be changed and extended due to severe weather conflicts and due to occasional conflicts in instructor's schedule.  Your instructor will notify you of any schedule changes. Severe weather related cancellations will be posted on voice mail at
  (919) 855-0422 box #2.

See Canine Good Citizen Test Schedule

Therapy Dog

EVALUATION

Therapy Dog EVAUATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Handlers must be at least 10 years old.  Handlers younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Handlers should present themselves for an evaluation they way they would show up for a visit; handlers should be dressed appropriately and should not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

• Handlers should present their dogs as they would for a visit:   dogs should be well-groomed and smell clean.  Dogs must be wearing an appropriate collar and an acceptable leash.

  Acceptable Equipment:
  Flat or rolled buckle or snap collar
  Gentle Leader, Halti, Snoot Loop*
  Flat nylon hunting collar
  Nylon harness
  Limited slip fabric collar
  4-6 ft braided or flat leather, nylon, or cotton lead

  *  If a dog tests with this equipment on, the dog must always visit with the equipment on
  
  Unacceptable Equipment:
  Metal slip collar (choke chain) or prong (pinch)
  Muzzle
  Nylon slip collar
  Anti-bark collar
  Flexi Lead
  Kennel lead (with slip collar on end)

• Dogs and cats must be 1 year old and must have lived with the owner for at least 6 months at the time of evaluation.

• Dogs of any  breed or mix of breeds may participate.

• If two people wish to register with the same animal, they must both take the entire Therapy Dog evaluation with the animal.

• Cats and very small dogs (about 10 inches tall at the shoulder and less than 15 pounds in weight that can be picked up with one hand) are allowed to be carried for most of the evaluation.

• Dogs who evaluate in a facility that is familiar to them are only eligible for a "Predictable Environment" rating.   Dogs must be evaluated in a new environment to receive a "Complex Environment" rating.

• Regulations require that these items must be presented at the time of the evaluation:
  1.  A completed questionnaire for the evaluator's review.
  2.  Animal's current rabies vaccination certificate. Rabies tags are not accepted.   Please bring proof of rabies vaccination even if you sent in proof of vaccinations for classes.
  3.  A towel or blanket if the animal will be carried.
  4.  The animal's brush or comb.
  5.  Treats for the animal to be offered in the evaluation.*

• *  Handlers should bring a treat to be offered by the evaluator during the test, but the handler may not offer the animal a treat or toy during the test.

• Dogs who have been trained in Shutzhund or any type of bite work are not eligible for evaluation.

Therapy Dog Evaluation

1. Review of handler questionnaire

2. Accepting a friendly stranger

3. Appearance & grooming

4. Walking on a loose leash

5. Walking through a crowd

6. Reaction to distractions

7. Sit on command

8. Down on command

9. Stay in place

10. Come when called

11. Reaction to a neutral dog

1. Overall exam

2. Exuberant & clumsy petting

3. Restraining hug

4. Staggering, gesturing individual

5. Angry yelling

6. Bumped from behind

7. Leave it

8. Offered a treat

9. Overall assessment

Desirable Responses - Handler

• Friendly to people

• Aware of animal's responses, behavior, and gives gentle cues as needed

• Ensures animal's well-being

• Does not yell or use force or jerk the leash

• Demonstrates gentle interaction with animal

• Is confident, natural and relaxed

Desirable Responses - Animal

• Is reliable, controllable, & predictable

• Shows no shyness or resentment

• Does not jump up on or lunge toward people

• Shows no aggression or fear

• Does not eliminate during evaluation

• Demonstrates a non-threatening body posture

• Friendly wagging or relaxed tail

• Soft body, relaxed face

• Minimal vocalizations - should be controllable by handler and should be appropriate (sighs, grunts, purring, and a single friendly bark, but not rumbling, growling, or intense barking)

• May lick the evaluator once or twice, but not continually

Therapy Dog evaluations are included in the price of the Therapy Dog class. 
Evaluations are scheduled individually. 
If you have not taken the Therapy Dog class, but have done the Therapy Dog
Home Study Program, you can sign up online for an evaluation.
A Therapy Dog evaluation takes 30 minutes, but participants should arrive at least thirty minutes early. 
Therapy Dog Class participants will be given the opportunity to choose a time slot in class.

HOME STUDY OPTION

*  Testing for the Therapy Dog program is available to those wishing to do a self-study course at home.  Self study participants must order the Therapy Dog Team Training manual from the delta societ^y.   After reviewing the manual and completing the written portion of the test, participants may register online
 See PP Evaluation Category
Pre-registration is required; handlers must fill out a test application form along with payment and proof of vaccinations prior to testing.   Evaluations cost $35 per team / test.  Pre-registration and advanced payment is required for anyone who has not taken the Therapy Dog class.   Handlers should present themselves and their dogs for the test as if they were going on a therapy visit. 
Testing is available on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.