Ask any animal lover and you will learn immediately how much their pet adds to the quality of their lives. 

Although owning a pet is not for everyone, there is considerable evidence that the introduction of pets to a hospital or facility setting has in-numerable benefits. 

In an article written by Joanne Silver, a seasoned Therapy Dog handler, those who are interested in bringing smiles to some lonely faces need not look any further than sharing their dog with others. Here, Joanne answers the most common questions regarding getting started.

 1. Is my dog suitable? You should ask yourself if your dog has the following traits: Confident, Healthy, Outgoing, Good Temperament, Loves People More Than Other Dogs, Reliable, Likes to be Petted and Touched, Controllable, Predictable, Can Handle Stress. 

 Certain populations can be more stressful to visit than others, so please keep that in mind when asking where you would like to visit with your dog.

 2. What is expected of the handler? The first thing you should ask yourself is do you have the time to make this commitment. Do not jump into visiting every week with your dog. Visiting too frequently can be very stressful to both you and your dog. Consider starting slowly with once a month visits within an hour of your home. This will help avoid stress and burnout which is the reason most teams dropout of doing Therapy Dog work. If this schedule works, then you may consider gradually increasing the frequency of your visits.

 3. How old should my dog be? Dogs must be a year old in order to be registered with any of the Therapy Dog organizations.

 4. Can I visit with a puppy? Visiting with puppies can be a wonderful experience. However, evaluate each puppy to see if it is suitable for visitation. Some puppies can nip, jump on people, get easily stressed, or are not yet housebroken. It depends on the individual puppy and handler. 

 5. What level of obedience training is required? Dogs should have some beginner obedience, and be under total voice command. They will be required to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test modified for Therapy Dogs. Your dog will need good manners. They will need to know that they cannot jump on people or beds, bark excessively, or pull the handler on a leash. Some dog obedience schools now offer a special Therapy Dog Training Class. If this is not available, a Beginners and Novice Class should be all you need.

  6. Does a female or male make a better Therapy Dog? This does not matter. It is up to the individual dog and whether or not they have the above-mentioned traits. With males, however, you should teach them to eliminate on command so that they do not have any territorial marking while visiting. Do not bring females in season on visits.

 7. Should I visit on my own or with a group? Visits can be either done individually or with a local group if there is one. This would depend on your area and when you are available to visit. It is recommended, if possible, to visit with an experienced team for the first several visits. In this way you can learn what is expected of you and your dog on a visit. If this is not available, have a staff member or the Activities Director go around with you on your first several visits. Going around with a staff member will allow you to see how the facility works, learn the facility, and give you some insight to each of the residents.

 8. Should I join and register my dog with a Therapy Dog organization? Absolutely! These organizations ensure that your pet has the skills and aptitude for working in healthcare settings. They provide credibility when contacting a facility to visit. You will receive an identification badge, a tag for your dog, liability insurance, and networking. It is up to you which Therapy Dog organization to register with.

 9. What does my dog have to do for the test? Many organizations use a modified version of the American Kennel Clubs Canine Good Citizen Test. A copy can be obtained from the AKC. This test is to determine and demonstrate confidence and control of the dog.

1) Accepting a Friendly Stranger 2) Sitting Politely For Petting; Whole dog is examined and touched 3) Appearance and Grooming 4) Walk on a Loose Leash 5) Walking Through a Therapy Crowd including Medical Equipment 6) Sit, Down, and Stay on Voice Command 7) Come When Called 8) Reaction to Another Dog 9) Reaction to Distractions 10) Supervised Separation for 3 minutes. 

DID YOU KNOW?

 Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) was founded in 1976 by Elaine Smith, formerly of Hillside, NJ, now a resident of California.

 A registered nurse working in England, Smith observed the benefits of pets interacting with patients. She noticed how the patients reacted to the daily visits of the chaplain and his companion, a Golden Retriever. Upon returning to the United States, Smith was determined to bring the concept of pet therapy to health care facilities.

www.tdi-dog.org