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a good therapy dog
A therapy dog must be thoroughly trained to calmly and confidently deal with strangers in various environments.
AKC Therapy Dog Certification
Therapy dog qualifications lack a universal standard. Different organizations offer training and certification, but some owners opt for independent training. To become a therapy dog handler, it's crucial to know the specific qualifications sought by the organizations and individuals you aim to collaborate with.
Weather you decide to officially certify your dog, the American Kennel Club Good Citizen test, in our opinion, is the best place to start. This is a fairly easy process that only takes time and dedication to make sure your animal is ready to share their love. Read about the steps they must take to become AKC certified here.
Handler Training
Again, this is not required, however we do recommend attending an in person or online course. Everything you need to know to become a professional handler can be found HERE.
Therapy dog ID CArds and Vests
Registering your therapy dog or securing an ID card is optional, many handlers choose to do so for a seamless work experience. Obtaining ID cards and registration helps indicate the therapy dog's presence in an establishment for therapeutic support. Like service dog handlers using accessories to convey their animals' duty status, therapy dog owners utilize ID badges, certificates, and vests to identify themselves and their dogs as a pet therapy team.