This class is designed to learn skills and gain the knowledge necessary to become a Therapy Dog team and includes an evaluation necessary for a certification.
Basic obedience is the minimum class pre-requisite necessary to register for this class. If you dog has not taken an obedience class at DTCT, please check here for open Basic Obedience classes!
The certification process and the initial visits are observed by some of our club members who partner with Alliance of Therapy Dogs to certify your dog as a Therapy Dog!
Class Requirements:
- Basic Obedience skills. Dog must respond appropriately to verbal commands of sit, down, come. Dog must be able to walk quietly at handler’s side and sit or stand quietly at handler’s side when handler stops. Dog must not lunge or bark at people or other dogs. It is helpful if the dog is familiar with automatic doors and elevators.
- Handler must be 18 years of age or older and have owned the dog for a minimum of 3 months.
- Dogs must be one year of age or older. Dog can be any breed or mixed breed EXCEPT: wolf-hybrids, coyotes or coyote-hybrids.
- Must bring to first class:
- Proof of physical examination by veterinarian within the past 12 months including list of vaccines administered, current rabies vaccination or rabies titer level of 0.5 or greater (within 2 years), Annual Fecal exam and results within last 12 months.
- Four foot leash, clean up items, water (bowl) for dog. Treats are allowed in the first 3 classes but will not be allowed during the evaluation phase on week 4.
- Proof of Alliance of Therapy Dogs completed background check.
- Dog handlers must wear appropriate attire and safe shoes with backs or back straps for both the handling portion and observations in accordance to Alliance of Therapy Dogs Rules and Regulations.
