#THERAPYDOGS #MIDDLEBURY
By Sam Mazzotta
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I read your column about the owner whose therapy dog helps children with a fear of dogs. I also have a golden retriever therapy dog, and we have had many success stories.
Please tell your readers that organizations have different requirements for therapy dogs to visit their facilities, as well as for the handlers. For example, the hospitals we visit have additional health screening requirements for the handler. If they’re looking for a good certification for their dog, Therapy Dogs International is a highly accepted certification. – Ed A., Indiana
DEAR ED: Many thanks for the tips! It’s definitely important to do your homework and learn as much as you can before submitting your dog and yourself as a therapy dog and handler. Different facilities may need additional clearances – not just a certification from a therapy-dog organization, but health checks for the owner/handler and background checks.
Therapy Dogs International has details on its website, www.tdi-dog.org, about its requirements for therapy dogs, and guidelines and testing information that will give owners a good idea of what they need to do to get their dog ready. For example, dogs have to be at least 1 year old. They don’t have to take any specific therapy-dog classes, but they should have at the very least basic to intermediate obedience skills, a good temperament and up-to-date vaccinations and health records.
Owners also need to be aware that therapy dogs are not service dogs – that is a different testing and certification process with different, often more stringent, requirements.
Send your questions or comments to ask@pawscorner.com.
(c) 2016 King Features Synd. Inc.
