Summary:
Dogs help us in so many ways, including some unexpected ones. This article provides a look at therapy dogs, plus some tips on how your pooch can get in on the action.

Details or Sample:
Everyone who has ever welcomed a new puppy into their home knows how much joy those little bundles of fur can bring. Therapy dogs help to spread that joy far beyond the four walls of their own home – in hospitals, in nursing homes and in many other places where animals are typically not permitted. Training your own pet to be a therapy dog can provide many rewards and lots of fun community involvement.

Before you can get started, however, it is important to do plenty of research and make sure that your dog would truly enjoy the life of a therapy dog. From a distance the life of a therapy dog may look like nothing but fun, but it is serious work as well. Some dogs may not be able to handle the constant attention and stress, and it is important to take a look at your own pet’s personality before moving forward.

Dogs that are very shy or timid may not make suitable therapy dogs. Likewise, dogs that are very high strung or nervous may not be suitable therapy animals. If you are unsure about the suitability of your dog for therapy work, try contacting a therapy dog group in your area for advice. Many of these local groups will be happy to meet and evaluate your dog, as well as provide some tips for getting started.

Owners of would be therapy dogs will also need to be aware of the ground rules as they apply to therapy animals. While the exact qualifications will vary from organization to organization, in most cases there will be an age limitation. Often handlers under the age of 16 will need to have a parent or adult guardian present during any hospital or nursing home visits. These limitations are in place to protect the safety of everyone involved, and it is important for families to ask about them.

There is also generally an age requirement for the dogs themselves, often one year of age. This age requirement helps to ensure that the dogs possess the mental and physical maturity they will need to be a good therapy animal. Depending on the organization, dogs are also either encouraged or required to enroll in and pass a recognized obedience training class. This requirement is also in place for the protection of both the humans and the dogs.

Dogs are also required to be in good physical health, and a certification from a licensed veterinarian is often required. Therapy dogs are generally required to have all necessary vaccinations, including rabies, in order to participate in any type of therapy program. It is a good idea for owners of potential therapy dogs to check with their local organization about the specific types of inoculations and examinations required.

Since therapy dogs often work as a team it is generally a good idea for the dog to be inoculated against all communicable diseases to which they may be exposed. Keep in mind that in addition to other dogs therapy dogs may be interacting with cats, birds, ferrets and even horses or llamas depending on the setting. Following the recommended vaccination protocol will help keep everyone healthy.

So if your pet is happy, healthy and well adjusted, life as a therapy dog may be just what the doctor ordered. If you have always wanted to put your good intentions to work, visiting hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions with your pooch in tow may be just the thing. Therapy dogs and other animals perform an amazing service, and many studies have shown the positive health benefits animals can have on the most vulnerable members of our society. Giving your dog a great job to do can benefit him immensely, and seeing the joy on the faces of those you visit can uplift your spirits as well.

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Written by: beconrad
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