Have you ever wondered if your dog could be a therapy dog? There is a lot to it but the return on your time and effort investment will be one of the greatest investments you will ever make. Bringing a smile to the face of a lonely senior citizen or a temporary distraction of a young child in the hospital will quickly become a treasured memory. And that is only half of the benefit. Dogs need purpose too. All dogs that pass a therapy dog evaluation will look forward to a day of therapy work with their handler.
So how hard can it be? It is highly recommended that anyone and any dog work towards a therapy dog certification. This will lead to confidence that your dog will behave in a positive and predictable manner. This journey can start with some basic behavioral training culminating in an examination by an AKC certified examiner. Here is the list of behaviors that your dog will need to master in order to receive the Canine Good Citizen (CGC). CGC Test Items.
What’s next? Once your dog has passed the (CGC) test they will be all set up for the Therapy Dog Certification. When you select an examiner or organization make sure they are recognized by the American Kennel Club. These organizations are pre-screened and monitored to assure that only proficient teams earn the Therapy Dog distinction. List of therapy dog organizations recognized by AKC.