| HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Want to see the happiest dog in the world? Click here ►► |
Training My Dog To Visit Nursing Homes?
Published by Pet Library Editor · 5 CommentsI would like to get my dog certified to be able to go and visit nursing homes. He is very gentle golden retriever/huskie mix. He is 4 years old, listens well. What do i need to do to get him certifed to go and visit homes??? thanks! What do i need to do?
Highly recommended if you have a dog or cat:- Compare dog insurance and if you’re a cat lover, protect their health and get a great deal compare cat insurance!
Ever wondered:- why do dogs do some of the things they do? Well now you can find out with these highly useful dog tips.
Related Pet Library Articles
Readers Comments (5)
Site promoted by: 
Before even being considered, your dog needs to pass the Canine Good Citizen test, if he hasn’t already. After that, your dog can go into training to become a therapy dog. The test is: allowing a friendly stranger to groom the dog, walking politely on a lead, sitting and allowing a stranger to pet him, reaction around crutches, wheelchairs, breathing machines, etc, and coming when called. It’s pretty similar to the CGC test. After that test is passed, the dog will get a vest with an “in training” patch… after several visits, some training and another test, the dog will be a registered therapy dog and you’ll get a “therapy dog” patch and some papers.
Here’s the website:http://www.tdi-dog.org/tditesting.html
Contact your local training club and see if they offer CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and TDI (Therapy Dogs International) training and certification.
The CGC and TDI training is very similar; TDI will also test your dog around wheelchairs and walkers.
To become certified, your dog will have to:
Accept a Friendly Stranger
Sit Politely for Petting
Be handled for Grooming
Walk on a Loose Leash
Walk Through a Crowd
Sit and Down on Command/Staying in Place
Come when Called
Meet Another Dog
Reactions to Distractions
Leave-It
Acclimation to Infirmities
Supervised Separation
Say Hello
There are multiple organizations that will help you prepare your dog for Animal Assisted Therapy, the only organization I know of is the Delta Society. Here is their website http://www.deltasociety.org/AnimalsAAAAb…
I do not know exactly what their programs consist of, but all you need to do is a little research to find out.
Go to a forum on one of the popular dog sites, like AKC.org, petchannel, petfinder, etc. and ask there. There are manuals and videos you can obtain dealing with service animules.
http://www.petsastherapy.org/members/Lea…
Read this its all about Pets as Therapy. good luck