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Therapy Dog I

Therapy Dog I programs focus mainly

on health care for  both physical and mental welfare of adult clients.  

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Interactions between Therapy teams and patients are usually with a group session or facilitated by nursing staff.

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Therapy Walking Partners is organized through Senior Recreation Programs or can be privately volunteered.

I do not recommend using this program for anyone

under 18 yrs old.

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What is Deep Pressure Therapy? 

DPT was first introduced as a calming method for autistic adults and children.  This task fits a multitude of Therapy and Service work, and can be taught both cued and alert-type work.  Click below for required reading article by Temple Grandin

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  • Hospitals:

  • Room visits

  • Emergency and Behavioral Health

  • Cancer and Dialysis treatments

  • Addiction/Alcohol Rehabilitation

  • Geriatric care

  • Senior Day centers

  • Veterans Nursing facilities

  • Group therapy 

  • Counsellors and Psychotherapists

  • Private AAT Physical Therapy

  • Disaster releif

Required Reading for Therapy i:

"Calming Effects of DPT" -  online article by Temple Grandin

 Psychology Today online Article:

Does Animal Assisted Therapy work?

"Inside of a Dog" by Alexandra Horowitz

"Therapy Dogs Today" by Kris Butler

A THERAPY I DOG IS....

Gregarious. Likes the  hustle and bustle of life. Therapy I Dog is highly food motivated, and loves fetch games. They look forward to splashing in the lake with people and other dogs. Eager to please and energetic.

See TASK LIST for

other possible tasks that can apply to Therapy Dog I

Look for therapy Dog Badge

  • Deep Pressure Therapy

  • Prolonged eye and bodily contact

  • Cued Interaction

  • Pickup/Carry Objects

  • Reciprocal affection and communication with another living being

  • Disruption of monotony

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This symbol means the work or task is "Cued" (or commanded) by the handler. Most Therapy I work is cued. 

Steps to becoming a

Therapy Dog I Team....

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  1. CGC or Kennel Club Equivalent

  2. 10 week Training Program

  3. Public Access Certification

  4. Registration with ITP

  5. Handler education and certification

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AKC's Canine Good Citizen testing

UKC's Obedience Title and testing

Intermountain Therapy Animals

Denver Pet Partners

10 week Training Program  

We will have a 2 hour "Introduction To Therapy Dog Work"  will cover:

 

THE "TEAM" - your responsibilities as a volunteer/your duties as your dog's advocate
THE PLACE - choosing which facilities would be best for your TEAM/what to do and who to see once you get there.
THE PEOPLE - Preparing for and executing a good therapy session, reading when to end a session.

                          determine the needs of your students, patients and their educators/therapists/medical professionals     

THE RED TAPE - Registering with the appropriate organization, insurance and facility protocol

 

Weeks I through III will be laying foundations of commands, Tasks and Work. Learning the steps needed for the behavior you are looking for.  Clicker training and mark/reward patterns are set.

Weeks IV and V are practical application of the previous lessons, solidifying behaviors needed to succeed at Public Access Training.  Certifying organizations are chosen. Regulations are learned and coinciding behaviors taught.  Handler must complete required reading by this time.

Weeks VI through VIII are Public Access training, field trips to hospitals and nursing facilities

Weeks VIIII and X are pretest preparations and mock-up field trails of Therapy Dog/Handler team performance

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Therapy Dog I        rate schedule

TD I - Therapy Dog I

STARTER PACK - includes CGC training, evaluation and certification

Professional Package - Includes AKC Community Canine and/or Public Access

Training and Certification

Handling and processing of all paperwork

fees included.

10 week TD- I program

$300-$350

4 weeks + 10 week TD- I program

$350 - $450

6 weeks + 10 week TD- I program

$400 - $550

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