Therapy Dog Training
Therapy dogs volunteer with their owners to sit with people who need comfort.
Therapy Dog Team Training
At Wise Canine, we help you and your dog prepare to make a meaningful impact as a certified therapy team. Therapy dogs volunteer with their owners to offer comfort, affection, and support to people in hospitals, senior centers, schools, and other community settings.
Therapy work can include visiting patients, helping children gain confidence in reading, or providing emotional support during stressful situations like exams.
Becoming a Certified Therapy Team
Dogs must be over one year of age.
Dogs must be fully vaccinated.
Dogs must have completed Basic Manners and Level 2 Manners with Wise Canine.
Requesting to skip prerequisites? Dogs must have learned their foundation manners and obedience skills using positive reinforcement. If your dog has prior training (at home or elsewhere), please complete our Transferring Client Questionnaire
We cannot accept dogs trained using corrections, force, prong/choke collars, or e-collars (shock collars), as these increase the risk of fear-based behaviours that can make therapy work unsafe.
Dogs must be friendly with people and other dogs.
Dogs must be comfortable with novel sights, sounds, and enjoy interacting with strangers.
Dogs must be registered with the city if you live within city limits.
Dogs must first pass the Canadian Kennel Club’s Canine Good Neighbour (CGN) Evaluation. Wise Canine hosts these evaluations outdoors in the spring and fall.
Dogs must then pass the Therapy Dogs United Certification Evaluation. Wise Canine hosts these once teams have successfully completed the CGN evaluation.
Therapy Dog Team Training Class
Instructor: Michelle Wieser, KPA-CTP, CDBC, Canine Good Neighbour Evaluator, Therapy Dog Evaluator
Because one of the required evaluations must take place outdoors, we offer the Therapy Dog Team Training class in the spring and fall.
Our Therapy Dog Team Training Class is designed to equip handlers and their dogs with the essential skills and knowledge to become successful therapy teams. Attending our Therapy Dog Team Training Attending class does not automatically certify your dog. Some dogs may complete the class but not pass the evaluations.
Course Details
Designed to equip handlers and their dogs with the essential skills and knowledge needed to become a successful therapy dog team. Teams will learn about the role and ideal traits of therapy dogs, handler expectations, understanding canine body language, and preparation for Therapy Dog Certification Testing.
Training activities will include manners during therapy visits, greeting and handling by strangers, calmness around distractions, noises, novel objects, and other dogs. 6 Classes. Maximum of 6 dogs. First class is people only (no dogs).
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