Proudly Training The Greater Phoenix Metro Area
Robinson Dog Training
Therapy Dogs
Robinson Dog Training
Therapy Dogs
A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes , nursing homes, mental institutions, schools, and stressful situations such as disaster areas
The concept of a therapy dog is often attributed to Elaine Smith, an American who worked as a registered nurse for a time in England. Smith noticed how well patients responded to visits by a certain chaplain and his canine companion, a Golden Retriever. Upon returning to the United States in 1976, Smith started a program for training dogs to visit institutions. Over the years other health care professionals have noticed the therapeutic effect of animal companionship, such as relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, and raising spirits, and the demand for therapy dogs continues to grow. In recent years, therapy dogs have been enlisted to help children overcome speech and emotional disorders.
Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. The most important aspect of a therapy dog is temperament. A good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, at ease in all situations, and gentle. Therapy dogs must enjoy human contact and be content to be petted and handled, sometimes clumsily.
A therapy dog's primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with him and to enjoy that contact. Children in particular enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog. The dog might need to be lifted onto, or climb onto, an invalids lap or bed and sit or lie comfortably there. Many dogs add to the visiting experience by performing small tricks for their audiences or by playing carefully structured games.
The concept of a therapy dog is often attributed to Elaine Smith, an American who worked as a registered nurse for a time in England. Smith noticed how well patients responded to visits by a certain chaplain and his canine companion, a Golden Retriever. Upon returning to the United States in 1976, Smith started a program for training dogs to visit institutions. Over the years other health care professionals have noticed the therapeutic effect of animal companionship, such as relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, and raising spirits, and the demand for therapy dogs continues to grow. In recent years, therapy dogs have been enlisted to help children overcome speech and emotional disorders.
Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. The most important aspect of a therapy dog is temperament. A good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, at ease in all situations, and gentle. Therapy dogs must enjoy human contact and be content to be petted and handled, sometimes clumsily.
A therapy dog's primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with him and to enjoy that contact. Children in particular enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog. The dog might need to be lifted onto, or climb onto, an invalids lap or bed and sit or lie comfortably there. Many dogs add to the visiting experience by performing small tricks for their audiences or by playing carefully structured games.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs directly assist humans, and have a legal right to accompany their owners in most areas. In the United States, service dogs are legally protected at the federal level by the Americans with Disabilities act of 1990. Therapy dogs do not provide direct assistance and are not mentioned in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Institutions may invite, limit, or prohibit access by therapy dogs. If allowed, many institutions have rigorous requirements for therapy dogs.
I can prepare you for testing and accreditation for therapy dogs. I require that a dog pass the equivalent of the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen test, and then add further requirements specific to the environments in which the dogs will be working. Typical tests might ensure that a dog can handle sudden loud or strange noises, can walk on assorted unfamiliar surfaces comfortably, are not frightened by people with canes, wheelchairs, or unusual styles of walking or moving, get along well with children and with the elderly, and so on.
Note: See the page on the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Test.
602-400-2799
Email: info@robinsondogtraining.com
I can prepare you for testing and accreditation for therapy dogs. I require that a dog pass the equivalent of the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen test, and then add further requirements specific to the environments in which the dogs will be working. Typical tests might ensure that a dog can handle sudden loud or strange noises, can walk on assorted unfamiliar surfaces comfortably, are not frightened by people with canes, wheelchairs, or unusual styles of walking or moving, get along well with children and with the elderly, and so on.
Note: See the page on the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Test.
602-400-2799
Email: info@robinsondogtraining.com
Price of this training varies from $129 - $999
Depending on the training level of your dog. See Advanced Dog Training page for package deals
Depending on the training level of your dog. See Advanced Dog Training page for package deals
[Home] [Group Class] [Single Session] [Dog Obedience Packages] [Advanced Dog Training] [AKC Canine Good Citizen] [Therapy Dog Training] [Service Dog Training] [Protection Dog Training] [Law Enforcement Training] [Rattle Snake Aversion] [Dog Aggression] [Dog Boot Camps] [War Dog History] [Pavlovs Dog] [Dog Trainer Bio] [Frequently Asked Questions] [Customer Testimonials] [Dog Photo Gallery] [Service Area] [Contact Us] [Dog Blog]
[Dog Links]
[Dog Links]
Copyright 2008 - 2009 Robinson Dog Training - All Rights Reserved - Last Updated October 6 2008