Therapy Dog Volunteer Work: A Guide to Getting Started

Becoming a therapy dog volunteer can be a life-changing experience for both you and your furry friend. Research shows that therapy dogs can reduce stress and anxiety in individuals, and improve their overall well-being.

To get started, you'll need to find a reputable organization that trains and certifies therapy dogs and their handlers. The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) offers a certification program for therapy dogs, which is a great place to begin your search.

Therapy dogs must meet specific requirements, such as being at least one year old, having basic obedience skills, and being well-socialized to different environments and people. A well-behaved dog is essential for successful therapy work.

You'll also need to complete a training program to learn how to work with your dog in a therapy setting. This may involve coursework, workshops, or hands-on training sessions.

Take a look at this: Dog Breeds for Therapy Dogs

To become a therapy dog volunteer, you'll need to meet some basic requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, or 12-17 for junior handler status.

Your dog must be at least one year old, have a current rabies vaccination, and a yearly exam by a veterinarian. They also need to pass a temperament test, which includes walking on a leash without pulling, being willing to be touched by strangers, and staying calm in distracting situations.

You'll need to register with a non-profit organization like Pet Partners, which has standardized criteria for evaluating therapy animals and their handlers. This involves taking a class to learn the skills and techniques for effective handler/dog teams.

As a handler, you'll need to be sociable, well-groomed, a good listener, and able to show compassion and empathy. You must also display good judgment and maintain confidentiality.

In terms of training, some organizations, like New York Therapy Animals, require a 7-week education and hands-on program to become a licensed and insured therapy dog team. Others, like Children's Hospital Los Angeles, host evaluations every couple of months, which take about 40 minutes.

Here are the basic requirements for therapy dog teams:

Keep in mind that some locations may have additional requirements, such as becoming a volunteer with the facility or completing their orientation program. Be sure to check with the organization you're interested in volunteering with to see what specific requirements they have.

As a therapy dog volunteer, you'll receive ongoing support and education to help you succeed in your role. This includes follow-up meetings and mentoring to assist with volunteer choices, as well as continuing education classes and workshops for the teams working with different populations.

You'll have the opportunity to learn dog training behavior support and how to effectively and appropriately deal with clients, patients, residents, and staff. This is crucial for providing a positive experience for everyone involved.

To help you acclimate to new environments, arrangements are made for observing new venues and site assessments, and you'll have the chance to shadow teams in new settings. This hands-on experience will help you feel more confident and prepared for your volunteer work.

Check this out: Dog Rescue Volunteer Work

Support dogs come in various forms, each serving a specific purpose. There's a graphic that breaks down the different types, but let's take a closer look.

Service dogs are trained to assist individuals with disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairments. They can also be trained to detect medical conditions like seizures or low blood sugar.

Emotional support dogs provide comfort and companionship to people with mental health conditions or anxiety disorders. They don't require special training, but they do need a doctor's note to qualify.

Therapy dogs are trained to interact with people in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools, bringing joy and relaxation to those they meet. They're often used in animal-assisted therapy programs.

Service dogs are not the same as emotional support dogs, despite the confusion that often arises.

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Personal Support and Continuing Education is a crucial part of our program. We believe in providing ongoing support and mentoring to help our volunteers feel confident and prepared in their roles.

Follow-up meetings and mentoring are a regular occurrence, allowing volunteers to discuss any challenges they're facing and get personalized guidance. This helps ensure they're making the most of their volunteer experience.

Continuing education classes and workshops are also an essential part of our program. These classes cover topics such as working with different populations, and are designed to help volunteers develop the skills they need to succeed in their roles.

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Dog training behavior support is also available to our volunteers, helping them to understand and address any behavioral issues that may arise. This support is especially important for volunteers who are working with dogs in their roles.

Dealing effectively and appropriately with clients, patients, residents, and staff is a critical skill for our volunteers to develop. We provide training and guidance to help them navigate these interactions with confidence.

We also arrange for volunteers to observe new venues and conduct site assessments, helping them to get a feel for the environment and the people they'll be working with. This is a great way to acclimate to new environments and get a sense of what to expect.

Here are some of the ways we support our volunteers' continuing education:

If you're interested in volunteering with therapy dogs, there are various opportunities available. You can choose from different levels of training and involvement, depending on your interests and availability.

Paws & Think offers a range of volunteer opportunities, including helping with training classes and evaluations. Even if you don't have a dog or your dog isn't suited for therapy work, you can still make a difference.

Volunteers at UDS have praised the program's trainers, who are knowledgeable and supportive. The dogs are well cared for, and volunteers feel valued in their roles.

If you're willing to help out at special events, you can do so without prior experience. These events might include service dog shows and fundraisers.