Therapy dogs come in all shapes, sizes and breeds. The primary focus when considering any dog for therapy work is temperament.

A therapy dog must have a solid temperament and should be highly social. Therapy dogs should be calm, patient, confident and comfortable in distracting environments. Therapy dogs generally crave human affection. These dogs are required to sit calmly and be petted by unfamiliar children and adults that often have physical and mental disabilities. Therapy dogs should have a temperament that enjoys this affection and petting. Children often enjoy hugging therapy dogs and adults typically enjoy simply petting them. Therapy dogs should be comfortable being lifted into someones lap or onto their bed for petting. Therapy dogs often show off simple tricks during their visits and can often enjoy structured games and playtime with thoses that they visit.

Therapy dogs are not "Service Dogs" or "Assistance Dogs" and are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Therapy dogs only work in those places where they are permitted and allowed to be.

Therapy Dog Training

Highland Canine Training offers Therapy Dog Training in group class format as well as through private lessons. Therapy dog training typically begins with our basic, on-leash obedience or advanced off-leash obedience. Dogs that have completed these courses can then attempt their certification for the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluation (the requirements for the CGC Evaluation are listed below). For those dogs that need more work for their CGC, we also offer CGC classes in both group and private lesson formats. After successful completion of the Canine Good Citizen Evaluation, handlers and dogs will be required to complete the Therapy Dog training. This training is more in depth training that involves one-on-one supervised visits to nursing homes, hospitals, schools and other places where the dog will often work. We will be happy to provide you with a FREE therapy dog evaluation if you are considering this rewarding work with your dog.

American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Requirements

AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluation Requirements

Appearance and Grooming
The dog must appear well groomed, clean and must permit a stranger to groom him.

Accepting a Friendly Stranger
The handler must shake hands with a stranger, the dog must not act shy or show resentment. Neither must he approach the stranger.

Walk on a Loose Leash
The dog must walk to the left of handler, doesn't have to "heel"

Walk Through a Crowd
Exercise is done in a crowd of people and dogs that are strangers. The Dog should not have a problem negotiating foot traffic. May show interest in strangers, but not to the extent that he strains at the lead or shows resentment.

Sit for Exam
Dog must allow a stranger to approach him and pet him, may not exhibit shyness or resentment.

Sit and Down on Command
Designed to demonstrate that the dog has had some formal training. The dog must respond readily to the handlers command. No force may be used, but more than one command is allowed.

Stay in Position
In either a sit or down, the dog must remain in the position commanded by his handler until the evaluator allows the handler to release.

Reaction to Another Dog
The dog should demonstrate no more than casual interest in a strange dog.

Reaction to Distractions
A test of confidence, the dog may show surprise when presented with noises and distractions, but not run away or show aggressiveness.

Supervised Separation
This test shows that a dog has good manners and training. The handler hands the dog lead to a stranger and leaves the area. The evaluator stays with the dog, observing that there is no excessive stress, nervousness or agitation.