“What a cute dog! What’s her name?” I asked the woman, as her excited little canine jumped up and scratched my leg with razor-sharp nails. “Oh, this is Harlow, my therapy dog,” the dog’s owner gushed. “She’s such a sweetie, don’t you think?” A sweet dog? Yes, if I suppose so, if enthusiasm at meeting a virtual stranger, was any indication. But therapy dog? Not likely.
Does this scenario sound familiar? We’ve all met our share of both dogs and owners who were long on friendly and short on manners. And you probably know that petting and caring for a dog provides known therapeutic benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and heartrate. But what makes a dog a therapy animal and what exactly do they do? It helps to understand the wide range of categories that exist between a household pet and a service dog. Any family pet can become a companion dog, if a doctor writes a prescription saying the animal is beneficial to the owner in some way. These dogs are sometimes called emotional support animals. The pet doesn’t need special training and can live on property that doesn’t normally allow pets, such an apartment or condo. However, companion dogs are not authorized to accompany an owner to the grocery store, restaurant, doctor’s office or other “no pet” establishment. Companion animals are not covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act, because they do not perform tasks that handlers are unable to do themselves.
Specifically, a therapy dog provides...
animal assisted therapy (ATT). Therapy dogs are considered working dogs and require certification and basic behavior training. Some working canines require advanced training and an innate ability, such as search and rescue, police and military detection animals and even livestock herding dogs. Working dogs are not covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act but can only enter buildings where they have been invited to work.
Service Dogs (assistance dogs) are the only category covered under ADA law. They can enter businesses because the help the assistance they provide contributes to the independence of the handler. There are many types of service dogs. Canines that retrieve objects, seeing eye dogs and those that sense seizures are just a few.
So, before you decide your pooch is a therapy dog, ask yourself if your pet’s primary purpose is to provide company, fun and relation. If that’s the case, then it probably a companion dog. If your pooch provides a specific benefit, then may be a candidate for certification. Keep in mind that certification and registration are not synonymous. Some registries sell online certificate kits, without verifying your dog has the skills required to do the job. Most certification organizations have basic behavior requirements that check a dog’s ability interact with people and other animals. Some organizations, such as “Alliance of Therapy Dogs” valuable offer handler’s insurance for a nominal membership fee.
For more information about animal assisted therapy programs and organizations that provide AAT certification, click here...
Therapy Dog Programs
Therapy dogs can provide visits to hospitals, hospice programs, senior care homes, veterans organizations, kids camps, disability programs, reading school or community literacy programs, and can even provide comfort support for older, sick dogs.
Training and Certification Resources
Therapy Dogs International www.tdi-dog.org
Therapy Dogs United http://www.therapydogsunited.org/join_your_dog/
Pet Partners https://petpartners.org/
READ Therapy Program http://www.therapyanimals.org/R.E.A.D.html
Library Dogs http://www.librarydogs.com/
Companion and Therapy Dogs: Pets for Vets http://www.petsforvets.com/
These are just a few of the organizations that provide training, resources and support for those interested in Animal Assisted Therapy. Check your local area for a program close to you.
