^{Photo by La Miko}

Over time, we have begun to understand the benefits of having a therapy dog. From the way, they add joy to the improvement of their well-being. Today, we will discuss what it takes to become a qualified therapy dog.

Their friendly and caring demeanor makes them great companions, even professionally. And besides helping you live longer, dogs are brilliant animals that are amiable towards humans.

Because of that, humans took advantage of those traits, and public interest in therapy dogs grew. They are indeed a great companion for people with anxiety or panic attacks. Dogs have heightened senses more than we have, making them efficient in watching for any signs of health-provoking instances.

To help you know more about the magic of having these dogs, “Piper Finds Her Special” is a book about therapy dogs by Keenan. The author Alison Keenan wants readers to peek inside the mind of a therapy dog and how they think.

It’s a story inspired by children with reading difficulties, which Team Keenan has worked with. Therapy dogs are believed to aid children with their anxiety issues. Ultimately, these kids can muster the courage to improve their cognitive skills.

What it takes to be a therapy dog

Therapy dogs delight when they do their job and provide the utmost care and comfort. In times of tragedy, especially in public disasters, therapy dogs always come to the rescue. Their ability to share warmth and affection with grieving or lonely people is part of their charm. They also make rounds in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities.

Here is a guide if you have a dog and are curious about how they can be therapy dogs.

Therapy dog training 101

You can train a therapy dog or have a professional do it. However, looking for an organization with experienced trainers is highly recommended. They can assist in making your dog qualified for therapy training.

If that option is too expensive, try the CGC test to train your dog over the basic commands. You can even browse tutorial videos on YouTube to learn more. Enrolling your dog in a targeted class for therapy dog training is also a good way for them to learn directly from a trainer. Through positive reinforcement and mastery of basic commands, your dog will surely pass.

Here are some quick but crucial tips to make the DIY training more doable:

• Keep in mind that your dog learns a lot from interacting with you.
• Reinforce, but never assert, the behavior you want your dog to have.
• Manage your expectations when it comes to what your dog can handle.
• Ensure that your verbal and non-verbal cues are clear and straightforward.

It’s always challenging to get your dog into therapy training. Rearing them to become excellent therapy dogs often requires patience, both for the dog and the human. There’s also the struggle with their temperament, which can disqualify your pooch from therapy dog training.

However, just because there are difficulties means you’ve lost hope. Even dogs that are hard to train have a suitable training style that fits their personality well. Sometimes, well-trained dogs also need to meet the therapy dog training requirements. It’s just a matter of finding the right style for them.

Additional tips you should follow

The best time to start your therapy dog training is while they’re still pups. Once your dog has reached adulthood, getting them to training can be tricky. However, it all depends on your dog’s capacity to learn at any stage. Here are some basics that will help you on your journey:

• Allow your pup to socialize. Let them meet new people and fellow animals. Expose them to places, objects, and surfaces that are safe for them so they can get used to them.
• Take care of their credentials first. The AKC Canine Good Citizen title is helpful for your dog to be qualified.
• If different therapy dog training classes are available, enroll your dog immediately. They often include an evaluation at the end of each class to see if your dog fits well.
• After passing the test, register your dog in a national therapy dog organization. Your dog can start improving other people’s lives with certification and approval.

As a handler, you are responsible for watching your dog’s actions around people. They still need constant supervision while on the job. You are also responsible for their continuous improvement and extra training to be their best therapy dog.