Therapy Dog Testing
K-9 Kudos promotes Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD). All dogs that certify with ATD must be well-mannered, well-behaved dogs that enjoy meeting people!
Therapy can be provided in many settings, including but not limited to airports, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehab facilities, mental health institutions, schools, hospitals, cancer centers, hospice facilities, and college campuses.
THERAPY DOG TESTING & OBSERVATIONS
It all started when…
my kids and I (Doreen) visited nursing homes with library books for the residents to read. A therapy dog and her handler came to visit, and I noticed how happy the residents were to see the team. Now a dog trainer myself, I put my two passions together and have earned my therapy dog team certification. Recently, I became an evaluator/observer for Alliance of Therapy Dogs along with Paula Kim. We are determined to help as many dogs as possible and their owners become therapy dog teams so we can fill the area nursing homes, schools, hospitals, hospice, etc. My hope is to have a network of teams join K-9 Kudos’ Therapy Dog Group where people or businesses can contact K-9 Kudos and ask for a visit for their residents, students or loved ones.
You do not need to join our obedience classes to be tested. If your dog has trained elsewhere, you can still be tested by Doreen Hardiman or Paula Kim.
If you do need help, we would love to have you in our Therapy Prep Class, you can see the class information below!
Therapy Dog Preparation Class
This class will prepare you for the therapy dog test to become a certified therapy dog team. We have chosen Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) because we believe this is the best therapy dog certification offered.
Alliance of Therapy Dogs is an international registry of certified therapy dog teams. ATD provides testing, certification, registration, support, and insurance for members who volunteer with their dogs in animal-assisted activities. ATD’s objective is to form a network of caring individuals and their special dogs, willing to share smiles and joy with people, young and old alike.
ATD is focused on the well-being and the behavior of your dog regardless of age or breed. They look for well-mannered, well-behaved dogs that enjoy meeting people. While obedience training can be useful in a therapy setting, ATD doesn’t require formal training, certifications, or tests other than their own. All dogs tested for ATD’s certification must be up-to-date on vaccines and have a negative fecal exam in the last year. ATD is open to register any breed of dog except wolf or coyote mixes.
Prerequisite:
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Must have basic obedience skills and walk on a loose leash in a heel position.
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Must enjoy being greeted and be comfortable being petted by strangers
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Must be able to work on 4 foot leash safely around people and other dogs (we provide the 4 foot leash)
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Proof of current Rabies, Distemper/Parvo and Bordetella vaccinations are required BEFORE the first class.
Please contact us if you are not sure you meet a requirement OR if your dog was trained at a different facility.
What's included:
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5 - One hour classes
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The last class will be an "Out & About" session
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Includes a 4 foot travel leash needed for therapy test and visits