Therapy Dog Training and Certification Program ℠
**This Program Is Currently Not Available**
(Due To Covid-19, Frequent Misrepresentation of a Therapy Dog (see disclaimer)
& Challenges of Insurance Coverage thereof)
*We apologize for the inconvenience and are still taking names for a waiting list for if/when we it becomes available again (for those who have all pre-requisites in place)*
(Due To Covid-19, Frequent Misrepresentation of a Therapy Dog (see disclaimer)
& Challenges of Insurance Coverage thereof)
*We apologize for the inconvenience and are still taking names for a waiting list for if/when we it becomes available again (for those who have all pre-requisites in place)*
* Please Read Disclaimer Regarding Therapy Dogs vs. other Service/Guide/Special Needs/ Emotional Support Dogs *
Therapy Dog Training Class Outline:
Therapy Dog Wearing Harness
This fun yet very thorough eight week course teaches both you and your dog the skills necessary to become a therapy dog team. The majority of your classes will be held at our Training Center with the exception of two that will be held at a local Nursing Facility for hands-on experience and practical training and testing with residents of the facility.
This program will prepare you to successfully complete our unique, original and very thorough Therapy Dog Test that will be presented throughout the program. Upon graduation you will become a 'Certified Therapy Dog' of Delightful Dogs. You will be provided with a list of facilities that have approved our graduates for their visitation programs and your dog will receive an official "at work" harness to use.
Classes run for 8 weeks for 1 hour per week.
Maximum 4 dogs per class
***Only dogs that are friendly and receptive towards other dogs and people may attend classes.***
Aggressive, reactive or dogs with extreme fears are not suited/permitted in classes - see Private Training page for this service.
Pre-requisites:
Must have successfully completed both our Level One (Basic) & Level Two (Intermediate) Training Classes.
(Non Delightful Dogs' graduates would be required to complete our Level One and Level Two programs first - No Exceptions!).
Dog must be two years of age at the start of the course and be living with the handler for at least six months.
All vaccinations must be up to date and proof brought to the first class.
Dog must be wearing an up to date license and rabies tag.
Handler must bring proof of an up to date yearly physical including clear fecal & heartworm tests.
Dog must arrive on no longer than a six foot leash and buckle collar.
Dog must be in excellent physical health & condition.
Appearance and grooming must be up to par.
Dog must be spayed/neutered.
Minimum 1 adult handler/dog is required. Maximum 2 handlers/dog. (no exceptions)
All handlers must be at least 18 yrs of age.
Owners should wear comfortable, rubber soled footwear.
Pre-registration and payment is required at least 1 month prior to start date.
* This class is offered in the Spring or Fall and upon sufficient interest received. Now taking names for waiting list. *
Waiting List Instructions: Fill out the enrollment form and pick the class you would like. In the section where it asks for a start date, type "waiting list" and then submit the form. Once we have sufficient interest, we will contact you accordingly.
Price: $600 + hst = $678.00
**25th Year Celebration Price: $666.70**
Fee includes: Small classes with substantial individual attention, detailed step-by-step manual*, a harness for your dog and free phone and email support during the program.
*One Manual Included With Program Only - Not Sold Separately & Replacement/Additional Copies Are Not Available*
Exercises Covered:
*Please note that this class does not include any off-leash playtime.
* Please Read The Disclaimer Before Enrolling *
Visit the Testimonials page on our website for what clients have to say!
For the Class Schedule of Upcoming Available Start Dates Click Here: Schedule
To Enroll Now Click Here: Enrollment Form
This program will prepare you to successfully complete our unique, original and very thorough Therapy Dog Test that will be presented throughout the program. Upon graduation you will become a 'Certified Therapy Dog' of Delightful Dogs. You will be provided with a list of facilities that have approved our graduates for their visitation programs and your dog will receive an official "at work" harness to use.
Classes run for 8 weeks for 1 hour per week.
Maximum 4 dogs per class
***Only dogs that are friendly and receptive towards other dogs and people may attend classes.***
Aggressive, reactive or dogs with extreme fears are not suited/permitted in classes - see Private Training page for this service.
Pre-requisites:
Must have successfully completed both our Level One (Basic) & Level Two (Intermediate) Training Classes.
(Non Delightful Dogs' graduates would be required to complete our Level One and Level Two programs first - No Exceptions!).
Dog must be two years of age at the start of the course and be living with the handler for at least six months.
All vaccinations must be up to date and proof brought to the first class.
Dog must be wearing an up to date license and rabies tag.
Handler must bring proof of an up to date yearly physical including clear fecal & heartworm tests.
Dog must arrive on no longer than a six foot leash and buckle collar.
Dog must be in excellent physical health & condition.
Appearance and grooming must be up to par.
Dog must be spayed/neutered.
Minimum 1 adult handler/dog is required. Maximum 2 handlers/dog. (no exceptions)
All handlers must be at least 18 yrs of age.
Owners should wear comfortable, rubber soled footwear.
Pre-registration and payment is required at least 1 month prior to start date.
* This class is offered in the Spring or Fall and upon sufficient interest received. Now taking names for waiting list. *
Waiting List Instructions: Fill out the enrollment form and pick the class you would like. In the section where it asks for a start date, type "waiting list" and then submit the form. Once we have sufficient interest, we will contact you accordingly.
Price: $600 + hst = $678.00
**25th Year Celebration Price: $666.70**
Fee includes: Small classes with substantial individual attention, detailed step-by-step manual*, a harness for your dog and free phone and email support during the program.
*One Manual Included With Program Only - Not Sold Separately & Replacement/Additional Copies Are Not Available*
Exercises Covered:
- Role playing exercises
- Walking on loose leash
- Greeting people and other dogs politely
- Walking through a crowd
- Teach "leave it"
- Prompt recalls with distraction
- Sitting politely for petting and grooming
- Sit and down on command and hold the position until released
- Familiarization with hospital equipment
- Working around loud noises, food, toys and other distractions
- Acclimation to infirmities such as uneven gait, shuffling, heavy coughing, wheezing, falling, etc.
- Supervised separation
- Appearance and grooming
- Stress and 'Calming Signals' in dogs
- 'Tellington Touch' relaxation exercises
*Please note that this class does not include any off-leash playtime.
* Please Read The Disclaimer Before Enrolling *
Visit the Testimonials page on our website for what clients have to say!
For the Class Schedule of Upcoming Available Start Dates Click Here: Schedule
To Enroll Now Click Here: Enrollment Form
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Some pics of our therapy dog teams;
Testimonials;
Hi, Sylvia,
I attached the pictures we took in the therapy dog class yesterday.
Rocky and I learned a lot of things in this class and it was very fun. Though I still remember that first class when we walked into the class room, everyone in the class looked so well behaved, but Rocky seemed to want to say hi to everyone and I really was not sure that we will be able to make through the class.
However Rocky seemed to start picking up the concept of the class and the meaning of the harness from the second class. I feel that the bond between Rocky and myself is greater, understanding him better. That is the most beneficial thing I got from this class.
I will keep update to you about the nursing home we will visit.
Thank you so much, Sylvia. Your therapy dog class is so COOL!
Take care,
Momo & Rocky - Yellow Labrador Retriever
Hi, Sylvia,
Just wanted to report on a very successful visit at the hospital last night. Aside from vacuuming up muffin crumbs in every room, Chili was a star! Very calm and relaxed, doing her "froggie pose" while we chatted with patients. The volunteer coordinator says some of the patients are still talking about our visit days later, so I know we are doing some good.
Thanks for all your help and support throughout the Therapy Dog program. It sure gives me a good feeling knowing I can (with Chili's help) bring a little sunshine into some lonely people's lives.
Jan & Chili
Hi Sylvia,
Our training classes covered any situation Darby and I have encountered so far (wk 2: half a sandwich left in an unexpected place!)and de-sensitization to wheelchairs, canes, walkers, etc. was invaluable because he is always mobbed by any number of people all at once as they're getting off the elevators, many using one of these aids and he doesn't even notice. Relatives bring other dogs to the Home and Darby looks at them but that's all....just as we were taught (although he did get to meet Joey a big black Lab after his "shift" last week!) I know we'll have an unusual situation to deal with at some point but I have confidence in both of us now and know that we can handle whatever comes our way(but I will be sure to share THAT with you!)
Much of the success has to do with the dog's instincts too but Darby is just a 14 mo. old Golden and without a Therapy dog Training class, he would not have been ready to do this work for a few more years..until he is less excitable. Seeing the joy he brings to so many people now, that would have been such a lost opportunity.
When I watch Darb gently nuzzling people as they sit motionless in wheelchairs and can't move their hands to pet him; when I watch him softly lick the knuckles of a bed-ridden patient who can't open her clenched hands and I see her eyes open wide at the sensation and see a faint smile on her lips; when Darb rubs his head beneath the stilled hand of a resident who is not as responsive as usual today and has stopped petting him, when Joe (who "polishes" the same table on his floor for hours every day and who does not respond when spoken to)when he slowly looks up and smiles because Darby has come to see him....those are the times when I can't imagine not having the opportunity to share this wacky but very well trained dog with these people.
So, thanks for the training Sylvia.
Cheers!
Carol & Darby (Golden Retriever)