Therapy Dog Training
The first 3 levels of our class program are excellent preparation for dogs who will be doing Therapy dog work. It is important to note that many therapy dog organizations do their own training on a ‘sink or swim’ basis.
If you would like to set your dog up for success than the first 3 levels of our ‘how to train your own service dog’ program will benefit your dog. It will learn to remain calm in a variety of stressful situations, how to maneuver in public, and you and your dog will learn how to avoid confrontation.
At the end of this program your dog will not be a registered therapy dog. You are strongly not advised to go into public without first joining an organization, or club, which is insured. This is for liability issues.
We have trained Therapy dogs for a variety of situations. At the moment one of our dogs are working at a girl’s private school out west.
What is a Therapy Dog
A therapy dog works in public, comforting strangers. They go on visits to hospitals, and do library trips where children have stories read to them.
A therapy dog is a very special animal. It loves to be cuddled. It has almost no startle response. When it is alarmed it responds by backing away or freezing, not by biting or running away.
A therapy dog loves children and is not startled by their behavior.
We never recommend using a service dog as a therapy dog. We know your dog has a lot to give. Your love for your dog, and your empathy towards others is admirable, but your dog works and lives for you. A therapy dog gets time off, more boundaries, and only works occasionally. A service dog is on duty every day. When it has a day off, let it ‘be a dog’ and do dog stuff.
A therapy dog does not show reactive or aggressive behavior in any situation. If your dog fits this outline, and you would like to set it up for success, then please contact us.
Sometimes if we wash a service dog out of our program we will place it in the home of someone who is active in Therapy dog work. This dog will be placed free, and remains the property of our service dog organization until the foster home chooses to adopt him/her outright.
Therapy Dog Organizations
Some Therapy Dog Organizations in Ontario:
St Johns Ambulance Therapy Dog Program
Also, The Canadian Kennel Club has made it possible for local dog clubs to start their own Therapy Dog Program. Here is a list of some local clubs. If you are part of a club and would like to list it here then a) you must have insurance for a therapy dog program, b) contact us:
The Canadian Kennel Club has made it possible for local dog clubs to start their own Therapy Dog Program. Here is a list of some local clubs. If you are part of a club and would like to list it here then a) you must have insurance for a therapy dog program, b) contact us:
Elgin Dog Sports UKC – Contact Us
What Else Can You Do?
Therapy dog work is vital to the community, but there are a variety of ways you can contribute, entertain, and educate.
This is a core feature of our performances. 77% of all dog bites are to children. This performance teaches children how to safely interact with pet dogs. We suggest this program to any organization, or dog club, who performs publicly. It is easy to do, and well received.
If you would like us to do an I Speak Doggie program for your junior program please contact us
Domorewithyourdog – AllStar Team
Does your dog do tricks? Would you like to be part of a performance team that goes around to schools, fairs, etc. and spreads the canine wellness, care message to the public?
Our team incorporates our AllStar Stunt Dog Team with the Stop the 77 program, and educating the public on how to (not) interact with service dogs. We are actively building more AllStar teams around southern Ontario.
If this sounds more interesting than being part of a reading program contact us.
Another performance teams to join are:
Victim Services
In Southern Ontario most Victim Services dogs are provided by Biscay Water Dogs. Paula has worked tirelessly in the Service Dog and Therapy Dog industry for more than a decade, providing dogs where needed.
This has opened doors for Therapy dogs for people in their times of crisis. If you would like more information visit your local Victim Services Branch, or the main office of the Attorney General.
