Therapy Dog Training
Sessions are an hour to an hour and a half long and are $120 per session plus tax.
All Therapy Dog graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion, AKC Title, PDT’s Endorsement, and a Physical/Digital Copy Identification Card.
Simulation Tests Include:
• Entry table at Facility that examples as a check-in desk
• Handler invites the dog to “Visit” with patient
• Helper or Evaluator Facility personnel with an object to startle the dog such as dropping a bedpan or slamming a door etc.
• Helpers mingling in a Facility with personnel, other crowd visitors, and patients
• Door or outline of a Facility entrance or exit door
Pawz-itive Dog Training
Therapy Dog Training is training your dog and prepping them to take the test which is divided into 10 individual tasks and some additional exercises within each. The test is designed to simulate a visit with a therapy dog at a facility. This test reflects realistic situations and should be helpful in evaluating the potential therapy dog.
Goals to prepare for Testing & Titling include:
🦮 Heel with major distractions
🐕🦺 Sit with major distractions
🐶 Down with major distractions
🐩 Stay with major distractions
👍 Visit on Command
🌍 Exposure Training (crowds, storefronts, restaurants)
🏢 Public Access Training (stairs, escalators, elevators, shopping carts, etc.)
Dogs that have bitten a human being before will not be allowed to enroll in our program.
You book us as you want. There is no amount of sessions we require. Payment is required at the end of every session. We take all forms of payment. Cancelations are $40 if the session is missed, however if you give us 72 hours heads up the fee is waived.
DEMONSTRATING CONFIDENCE AND CONTROL
THE DOG MUST COMPLETE ALL 10 STEPS OF THE TEST TO PASS. Prior to enrollment acceptance into the program or testing, a temperament test will be performed on the dog by the evaluator/tester.
TEST 1 ENTRY TABLE (Simulated as a Hospital Reception Desk)
The dog and handler team approaches the sign-in desk to be checked in (simulating a visit).
TEST 2: GETTING AROUND PEOPLE
As the dog and handler team walks toward the patients’ rooms, there will be various people standing around. Some of the people will try visiting with the dog. The dog and handler team must demonstrate that the dog can withstand the approach and touching by several people from all sides at the same time and is willing to visit and walk around a group of people.
TEST 3: SIT/STAY
The evaluator will ask the handler to heel their dog (either on the left or right) into a sit/stay position. The handlers will give the sit command to the dogs. The evaluator will tell the handlers to leave theirdogs. The handlers will step out to the end of their 6 ft. leash, turn around and face the dog and wait for the evaluator’s command to return to their dog. (The evaluator will give the return command immediately).
TEST 4: DOWN/STAY
Same as test number 4, except dog will now be in a down/stay.
TEST 5: RECALL ON A 20 FT. LEASH
Handler will be seated in a sitting area. The handler will tell the dog to stay either by voice and or by hand signal. The handler now will turn away from the dog and walk in a straight line to the end of the 20 ft. lead. The handler will turn and face the dog. The evaluator immediately will tell the handler to call the dog. The handler will call the dog, either by voice, hand signal or both.
TEST 6: VISITING WITH A PATIENT
The dog should show willingness to visit a person and demonstrate that it can be made readily accessible for petting (i.e. small dogs will be placed on a person’s lap or held; medium dogs will sit on a chair or stand close to the patient to be easily reached, and larger dogs will be standing).
TEST 7: TESTING OF REACTIONS TO UNUSUAL SITUATIONS
The dog and handler team will be walking in a straight line. The dog can be on either side, or slightly behind the handler; the leash must not tight.
The following distractions will be added to the heel on a loose leash.
a. The team will be passing a person on crutches or in a wheel chair or being supported by a Helper.
b. Someone running by calling “excuse me, excuse me” waving hands (this person is running up from behind the dog.
c. Another person will be walking by and drop something making a loud startling noise or there will be a vacuum cleaner running (realistic in a facility).
TEST 8: LEAVE-IT
The dog and handler team meets a person in a wheelchair. The dog should approach the person and visit. The person in the wheelchair, after briefly interacting with the dog, will offer the dog a treat by holding the treat steady in the hand while enticing the dog. The handler must instruct the dog to leave it. It is up to the handler as to what kind of verbal command they use to keep the dog from licking or taking the food. The handler should explain to the patient why the dog cannot eat a treat while visiting (i.e. dog has food allergies).
TEST 9: LEAVE-IT; PART TWO
The dog handler will be walking in a straight line with the dog at heel. There will be a piece of food in the path of the dog. The dog is not allowed to lick or eat the food.
TEST 10: REACTION TO CHILDREN
The children will be running and yelling, playing ball, drop- ping objects, and doing what children usually do while playing.
1. The handler will walk with the dog past playing children (distance from the children must be at least 20 feet).
2. The dog must not jump, scratch, or run into the children when the handler and dog approach.