Pals on Paws -- What is a therapy dog?

Therapy Dog International, Inc. Chapter 125

TDI Chapter 125
(Pals On Paws)

What is a therapy dog?

What are the benefits of pet therapy?

Could my dog be a therapy dog?

How can Pals On Paws help you?

Next Meeting:
Sunday
7:00 pm

What is a therapy dog?

A therapy dog is a pet (handled by its owner) that provides emotional comfort by sharing its unconditional love and affection with adults and children. These dog/handler teams are volunteers who want to bring joy into people's lives. Although some facilities will allow any pet to visit, a true therapy dog has been evaluated and registered with a national organization such as Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) or The Delta Society (Delta).

Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. Some therapy dogs are pure-bred, some are mixes and others were adopted from local shelters or rescue groups. Regardless of pedigree or background, all of them provide an invaluable service.

While many pets provide love and companionship in their homes, not all are qualified or have a suitable temperament to do therapy dog work. Therapy dogs must be well-behaved, friendly yet calm, and adaptable to new and/or unusual circumstances. Taking a TDI or Delta sponsored test is the best way to determine whether or not your pet has the necessary personality traits and skills to do therapy work.

Once certified, Therapy dog teams visit hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, shelters, prisons, institutions, disaster sites, and any other location where pet therapy may be needed.

Therapy dogs should not be confused with service dogs (such as seeing-eye dogs) who have been specially trained to assist disabled persons as needed in their daily routines.

Blogroll