Pre Requisites for Therapy Dog Certification

Pre Reqisites for Certification...

PRE REQUISITES FOR THE DOG:

1) A temperament suitable for therapy dog work.
2) Basic obedience training and ability to perform the basic commands such as sit, stay, down, recall, etc.
3) A Canine Good Citizen Certification is required. We have an AKC Evaluator present at the therapy evaluations.
4) Your dog must be at least 1 year old
5) Proof of current rabies vaccination.
6) No history of biting or aggression. No previous bite training
7) Good dental hygiene and sufficient grooming (coat, nails, etc.)

Dogs with amputations, deafness, blindness, or other conditions, that would not create and unsafe situation for dog or human, are very welcome, and are encouraged, to participate.

PRE REQUISITES FOR THE HANDLER:

1) Must be at least 18 years of age*
2) Must be the legal owner of the dog (a family member of the owner would qualify)
3) Commitment to a minimum of at least one visit a month
4) Ability to control the dog at all times
5) A calm, but firm demeanor, in handling the dog
6) Ability to remain positive and cheerful when dealing with ill and confined individuals
7) No history of animal abuse
8) Be able, and willing, to provide adequate grooming for the dog prior to visits
9) Must love working with their dog and people

Please note: A background check may be required by some facilities.

* handlers over 14, but under 18, can be certified, but must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on every visit and at every event.

How hard is it to get certified?

It's probably easier than you think. Sadly, many organizations ask you to enroll in costly training programs because they are in this to make money. In reality, your dog does not have to be Rin Tin Tin or Lassie to qualify. Basic obedience training is a requirement as is a Canine Good Citizen Award but many dogs, and handlers, meet all the requirements without any additonal training. Obviously, your dog must have a good temperament suited to meeting strangers in odd situations but many, many dogs have this type of temperament. A good dose of common sense is the major requirement for the handler.

If your dog is sensitive to wheel chairs and walkers we can provide a program to desensitize your dog to these things. If you and your dog need some work in basic obedience, we can reccomend a good trainer who will provide a discount for K9B candidate teams. As mentioned previously, your dog must have a Canine Good Citizen Award so all 10 parts of the CGC test must be passed. Click on the AKC logo on the left side of this page to view the testing requirements.

What do you mean by suitable temperament?

Your dog should be fairly laid back, enjoy the company of people, sit politely for petting, recover from loud noises easily, accept other dogs, have no history of aggression, and be able to deal with people in unusual situations.

How much does it cost to get certified?

The fee for the CGC test is $30. The evaluation of your dog for therapy work is free. The certification fee is $75 which includes picture ID cards and certificates of certification. The total amount is $105 unless your dog already has his or her CGC, in which case, it drops down to $75.

Are there any additonal costs?

There are the costs of travel to and from the sites you visit. There is an optional K9B working vest you can purchase for your dog and the cost is $65. A K9B bandana is $20. A picture of the vest is below. The bandana is also available in several colors and the embroidery is identical to that on the vest.

What about insurance?

Like all other therapy dog organizations, K9B provides umbrella liability coverage. However, it is intened to augment your own insurance so you should have an adequete homeowner's or renter's policy in effect.

If you think you and your dog would like to become a certified team, please visit...

Click on the CGC logo to view the 10 elements of the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test