STEPS TO BECOMING A THERAPY DOG<BR>

STEPS TO BECOMING A THERAPY DOG

REMOVE THE WORD STOP Dog must know basic obedience commands (sit, down, stay, heal, come). (It is recommended that you take your dog through a structured obedience class) Dog must have excellent temperament with people and dogs. Dog must be at least 1 year old.
Dog must have current vaccinations. Dog must have current license (or tatoo for lifetime license). Dog must have yearly physical, heartworm test and fecal check. Dog must pass Canine Good Citizen and Temperament Evaluation Test administered by certified Therapy Dog International evaluator. Dog and handler must register with Therapy Dogs International.
After registering with TDI... If you want to join Greater Lehigh Therapy Dogs contact Sandi (New Member Coordinator) @ 610-769-5669 for visitation schedule, by laws and member list.
First visit must be made without your dog. Set up first visit with contact person on visitation schedule. After completing first visit, you will receive harness, nametag and lanyard. Dog must wear yellow ID tag from TDI when working as a therapy dog. Handler must have photo ID from TDI at all times for visits. Dog must be kept on leash at all times. Dog must be well groomed and clean for all visits. Dog may only wear buckle collar or harness for visits.
It is recommended that dog wears red harness and handler wears name tag for visits. Visits can be made individually or at prescheduled times in-groups.

See Outline of Therapy Dog Test below.....

AKC CGC TEST / PLUS
ADDED TDI REQUIREMENTS (IN ITALICS)

1. ACCEPTING A FRIENDLY STRANGER
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The Evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the Evaluator.
2. SITTING POLITELY FOR PETTING
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. The dog should sit at the handler's side as the Evaluator approaches and begins to pet the dog on the head and body only. The dog may stand in place to accept petting. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.
3. APPEARANCE AND GROOMING
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit a stranger, such as a veterinarian, groomer, or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demontrates the owner's care, concern and sense of responsibility. The Evaluator inspects the dog, then combs or brushes the dog, and lightly examines the ears and each front foot.
4. OUT FOR A WALK (WALKING ON A LOOSE LEASH)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog can be on either side of the handler, whichever the handlers prefers. There must be a left turn, a right turn and an about turn, with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops.
5. WALKING THROUGH A CROWD
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers, without appearing overexuberant, shy or resentful. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not be straining at the leash.
6. SIT AND DOWN ON COMMAND/STAYING IN PLACE
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler's commands to sit and down, and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to make the dog sit and then down. When instructed by the Evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of a 20-foot line. The dog must remain in place, but may change position.
7. COMING WHEN CALLED
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to tell the dog to "stay" or "wait," or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog as the Evaluator provides mild distraction (e.g., petting).
8. REACTION TO ANOTHER DOG
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 10 yards, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 5 yards. The dogs should show no more than a casual interest in each other.
9. REACTIONS TO DISTRACTIONS
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations, such as the dropping of a large book or a jogger running in front of the dog. The dog may express a natural interest and curiosity and/or appear slightly startled, but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness or bark.
10. REACTION TO MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
The dog should be tested around medical equipment (such as a wheelchair, crutches, cane, walker, or other devices which would ordinarily be found in a facility) to judge the dog's reactions to common health care equipment. At the discretion of the Evaluator, this test may be included in any of the following portions of the test: 2,3,5 or 9.
11. LEAVE IT
The handler with the dog on a loose leash walks past food on the ground (placed within a distance of three feet) and, upon command, the dog should ignore the food.
12. ACCLIMATION TO INFIRMATIES
This test demonstrates the dog's confidence when exposed to people walking with an uneven gait, shuffling, breathing heavily, coughing, wheezing or other distractions which may be encountered in a facility.
13. SUPERVISED SEPARATION
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain its training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness.
14. SAY HELLO
The TDI Certified Evaluator will test the willingness of each dog to visit a person and that the dog can be accessible for petting (i.e., small dogs can be placed on a person's lap or can be held, medium and larger dogs can sit on a chair or stand close to the patient to be easily reached.)

1. Dogs must be tested on a buckle collar.
2. Greyhounds are not required to sit for TDI Testing.*
*If a greyhound will not sit for any part of the CGC Test, it cannot receive an AKC-CGC Certificate but may still be able to be able to be certified with Therapy Dogs International.
To receive the CGC Certificate, dogs must pass all AKC-TDI requirements of test.

Last Update: 01/10/2006
Web Author: FLK, CS
Copyright Š2002 by Greater Lehigh Therapy Dogs - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED