A step-by-step guide to turning your well-mannered pup into a certified comfort companion
🧠 What Is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a specially trained companion that provides comfort, affection, and emotional support to people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, disaster areas, and more. These dogs aren’t service dogs or emotional support animals (ESAs)—they’re friendly visitors who brighten lives with their presence.
✅ Can My Dog Be a Therapy Dog?
Many breeds can qualify as therapy dogs, but temperament is key. Here are the basic characteristics that most therapy dog organizations look for:
- Calm and well-mannered
- Sociable with people and other animals
- Comfortable in new and noisy environments
- Able to tolerate petting, hugs, and medical equipment (like wheelchairs)
- Not easily startled or aggressive
Age also matters—most therapy dogs must be at least 1 year old before certification.
🐕 Step-by-Step: How to Qualify Your Dog as a Therapy Dog
1. Start with Basic Obedience Training
Your dog should reliably follow commands like:
- Sit
- Stay
- Down
- Come
- Leave it
- Walk nicely on a leash.
If your dog isn’t quite there yet, consider enrolling in an obedience course with a certified trainer.
2. Evaluate Your Dog’s Temperament
Therapy dogs must be:
- Friendly and non-reactive
- Confident in loud, unpredictable spaces
- Gentle with children, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities
If your dog is skittish, overly excitable, or aggressive, it may not be suited for therapy work right now, but with training and time, that could change!
3. Socialize Early and Often
Expose your dog to:
- People of all ages and ethnicities
- Noisy environments like busy parks or stores
- Other dogs and animals
- Medical equipment (wheelchairs, canes, crutches)
The more social experiences your dog has, the more confident they’ll be in therapy settings.
4. Enroll in a Therapy Dog Training Program
You can work with a local trainer or attend a specialized therapy dog class. These programs will help you:
- Prepare for therapy certification tests
- Practice mock visits
- Build confidence around real-world distractions.
5. Get Certified by a Recognized Organization
Most hospitals, schools, and facilities require dogs to be registered with an official therapy dog organization.
Top therapy dog organizations in the U.S.:
Each group has slightly different testing and requirements, but you can expect:
- Behavioral evaluations
- Health records
- Proof of vaccinations
- Sometimes, a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Certification by the AKC
6. Pass the Therapy Dog Evaluation
The test typically evaluates:
- How your dog handles being approached by strangers
- Comfort with loud noises and sudden movements
- Behavior around medical equipment
- Staying calm when separated from you briefly
- Overall obedience and demeanor
Most organizations also require a background check for the handler and a minimum number of supervised visits.
7. Volunteer Together!
Once certified, you and your dog can start visiting:
- Hospitals
- Senior care centers
- Libraries (for reading programs)
- Schools
- Disaster relief shelters
- Veterans’ groups
These visits bring joy, lower stress, and create beautiful human-animal connections.
🩺 Health Requirements for Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs must be:
- Up to date on vaccinations
- Free of fleas, ticks, and parasites
- On a regular wellness schedule
- Clean and groomed before each visit
Some organizations require veterinary health screenings before certification.
❤️ Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. Therapy dog work is gratifying. You’ll watch your dog lift spirits, calm anxieties, and brighten days with a wagging tail.
It’s not just about having a friendly dog. It’s about building trust, training together, and creating positive change in your community.
