Will work for love: changing lives at both ends of the leash

Coco the Love Dog at work

Some people think “pet therapy dogs” are out of control dogs getting therapy! Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Certified therapy dogs display the surest temperament, love for people, a very strong bond with their handler and the desire to “work.”

How do you know if your dog has what it takes to be an “animal-assisted therapy dog,” which is the preferred phrase?

First, let’s look at YOU. This is a team endeavor so the human in the equation is essential to the success of the team.

Ask yourself these few questions to determine if you should pursue therapy work with your pet:

• Do I feel confident in my ability to control my pet?
• Am I friendly with people and comfortable in unfamiliar settings?
• Can I raise the skill level of my pet and take the time, energy and motivation to do this
• Do I have the time to commit to a volunteer assignment?
• Do I find joy in sharing my love for my pet with others?

Now address these questions to your pet:

• Is my pet temperamentally and behaviorally reliable?
• Is my pet comfortable in a variety of settings?
• Does my pet seek out new experiences with unfamiliar people?
• Does my pet not only accept hugging and petting, but enjoy it
• Is my pet friendly around other animals?

If this describes you and your pet, I suggest you go for certification through Delta Society, the most respected national therapy program. What sets Delta apart is their responsibility to the community. Every pet pair must go through rigorous training and be evaluated by a licensed Team Evaluator and retested every two years.

As dogs age or experience changes in their life, issues may arise and the number one consideration for Delta is safety, safety, safety. Delta Pet Partner Teams must “inspire confidence” thus when you see the green working vest on the animal, you know that that animal has been tested and certified safe and reliable.

The Handler must always be in control of their pet and be able to react to unknown situations.

So if you are still reading thus far … maybe this volunteer activity is for you!

Remember, a happy dog is a tired dog! Give your dogs something to do and they will thrive while working for love!
 

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