Therapy Dog Training and Certification

Our Therapy Dog Training Program helps you and your dog build the skills needed to become a confident therapy team.

Our 6-week group class focuses on real-life skills like polite manners, focus around distractions, and calm behavior in public. The class also prepares teams for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluation.

We use positive, force-free training methods and focus on helping each dog feel confident and successful.

Important Note:
Not every dog is suited for therapy work. Progress and success depend on your dog’s temperament, behavior, and consistency in training.

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Requirements

The following requirements must be met in order to become a certified therapy dog team.

If this seems like alot, don’t worry! We’re here to help you through each step!

  • Our therapy dog exam consists of the AKC’s CGC and community canine exams. This exam can be taken after completing our training program or on its own if your dog already possesses the skills. To view the exam items, click the button below.

    A recertification exam will be administered each year to make sure that the team retains their skills.

  • To be certified, your veterinarian must provide us with a clean bill of health and your dog’s latest vaccination records. We require the Rabies vaccine in accordance with local laws.

  • We require all handlers to sign a feeding agreement stating that they will not feed their dogs foods that may contain possible pathogens (example raw, unpasteurized diets). This is vital to ensuring that the often medically compromised residents that we visit remain healthy.

  • Your dog must be licensed in your municipality.

  • Some (but not all) facilities may require that you hold liability insurance in order to visit with your dog. Obtaining and renewing the policy, should you choose to visit a facility that requires it, is the responsibility of the dog owner/handler.

* Needs-based financial assistance is available by application for dog licenses and liability insurance.

View Exam Items

Disclaimer: If a dog is deemed unsuitable for a certain class or service, the value of any unused package portion or class fee can be applied toward other pet training services. We cannot accommodate refunds. Class fees will be prorated in the event of dismissal.