I just adopted 1y/o border collie who has the perfect temperament to be a therapy dog. Her only issue is paresis of hind quarters which inhibits sitting and down on command. I read on the TDI web site they primarily test based off of temperament but will her condition hold her back?
From what I have seen, my evaluation is: She loves everybody; men, women and children. When being petted by groups of 5 or more children, her biggest dillema is who to lick. She is stable with other dogs and is nonreactionary to aggressive and fearful dogs who she is already used for to work with. Normally with dogs or cats, if she is able to get close enough she just wants to lick their nose or roll over for play. Presley does great in crowds and does not react to bicycles, skate boards, wheel chairs, scooters or crutches. She walks perfectly on leash and is able to be tethered to chairs or aquaintances out of line of sight, normally she sits or lays down looking in the direction she saw me leave. When in crowds, she occasionally wants to sniff strangers but once she settles she ignores people until they approach her, she allows strangerto run in close proximity and walk and stand within 6 inches of her and to step over her.
Also, will licking, rolling over for belly rubs and gently leaning into pets affect evaluation and work?

I do have an email out to the closest evaluator but I thought there might be experienced people here.
thanks jeeeow, she IS an absolute delight! I don’t think I’ve ever bonded with a dog so quickly as I have with this girl.
also I would like her to go through Therapy Dogs International since I may be moving out of state. They base their test on a slightly modified CGC standard.

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I have seen therapy dog vests, that have patches like Therapy dog in training, I am friendly ask to pet me. Are these necessary, or have any benefits? I am very into training him right. he is a pup, rescued at 2 months old. And he comes with me a lot to town, what else? I am very concerned with him and other dogs, what can help that? it is almost house trained, been to a few stores, meet many new people etc. what should I do to socialize him to other dogs and help him connect to people? basically any tips etc. thanks!
No, I mean therapy dogs. I well know the difference. I am just wanting tips etc. theres no classes around here, I know a few therapy dogs.

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My girl is in training to be a therapy dog, and obviously it takes a lot of socialization. She’s well-mannered in public, we take her wherever we can, but she’ll be able to come more places with us if we prove that she IS a therapy dog, although she isn’t taking the test for a few more months, so she doesn’t have her I.D.

If we get her a vest with "therapy dog in training" on it, would she be allowed? Or do you need the actual I.D.? Because she really needs to get experience in busy places, not just at PetSmart or Home Depot.

Thanks!
Oh no, I’m not talking about WalMart or things with groceries. Only service dogs are allowed there. I’m talking about malls, and stores without food. They say they allow therapy dogs, for socialization, but I don’t know if they need the I.D. or if an in-training vest will do.
I think many of you are confused. I already have permission, but only if I have proof that she really is. Therefore I’m not "confusing the public" or wanting a "novelty" pet. I’m wanting to take her to see distractions, mass people, business, etc.

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I work in a federal building and there was a gentleman who came in with a dog (who had nothing on it whatsoever to indicate that it was a therapy dog) and was refused entry to the building due to the "no dogs allowed" policy. And when asked, he couldn’t provide any certificate or paper to confirm the dog’s status as a therapy dog. I understand that seeing eye dogs are allowed in any building but as for therapy dogs, I can’t seem to find anything regarding laws and regulations on allowing entry into buildings.
So does that mean that anybody can walk into a building without any certificate or piece of paper whatsoever with any kind of dog and simply say "its a therapy dog" and be allowed access? I always thought there was a difference between a service dog (that assists a legally blind or legally deaf person) and a therapy dog. I thought therapy dogs were used to visit facilities such as hospitals or nursing homes?

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I would like to know what my Chihuahua would be considered, since she would be with me for anxiety issues, both my doctor and therapist have recommended to me for her to become a "service/therapy" type dog so that I can take her places with me, they are just waiting for my response… (I know that therapy dogs ARE NOT service dogs and do not have the same rights as service dogs) So I am confused since they (The doctor/therapist) told me to make her a service/therapy dog so that I would be able to take her places she would not normally be allowed. I am not physicaly nor mentally disabled, but I do sometimes need to have my dog with me, lots of times in places she is not allowed. I have permission from my doctor and therapist, but my question would be, what type of Dog would she be considered? She is very sweet and kind, usually quiet unless alerting me of strangers at the door but when out of the house she is quiet she also has very good obediance and listens quite well for a chihuahua she knows, Sit, stay, shush, roll over, shake, wait, leave it, take it, crawl, and we are working on spin.
oops, I forgot to say she also knows "Come" lol
oops, I forgot to say she also knows "Come" lol

(P.S. would she be able to become a service dog sonce my doctor recommended it?)

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A friend of mine is looking to adopt a dog for her sons. it would be trained as a therapy dog for her 1 son who is disabled. He is 4 years old. He has mental and physical limitations. Basically she wants to get a dog he can play with, lay with, pet, etc. But because of her sons special nature he sometimes get rough. So the dog would need to be able to handle that. Not bite him or be aggressive in any way. She was at a local place that trains therapy dogs and she saw a few that could "handle" him very well. However she would like to also save a life if possible. My nephew has a therapy dog (a GSD) that has the training/temperment she is looking for, but this dog was a very expensive purebred breeder dog.

Anyway what I am asking is does anyone know of a particular dog that would be a good fit for them. That with the proper training could be a match made in heaven for them. Or if not a particular dog maybe some suggestions for a good breed of dog. They do not want a puppy. It should be a year or so old. And in her perfect world a dog that doesn’t shed a lot would be great. And yes she knows that probably won’t happen.

Thanks,

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hello, i have always wanted a therapy dog. i have two dogs now but one is a bit fearful of strangers after an accident she had when she was younger and got hit by a car. and the other one is getting older and has a temperament toward younger kids with high voices and other dogs. so i am looking into getting a younger dog (under a yr is tht good?) or a little puppy. i want to know which dog breeds are good for therapy dogs. and i know that it depends how they are raised and trained. but also how the breed is whether they are a family dog or not. so i would like to know which breeds are good with people, and get along with other animals, and that i will be able to train to be a good therapy dog. (i am okay with a little challenge in training, but nothing out of control.) and also what are the requirement for a therapy dog as far as getting along with ppl? and other dogs? and anything else?? thanks in advance!
i would like a medium – large+ breed. and i definately do plan on looking up more, this means alot to me. i just want sort of ideas to look into. thank you all.
rotten rotts… i know that they need to get along people and dogs, i put that in as example of my requirements..i was asking what else besides that.. i have trained my dogs and outer family dogs. i know how to train a dog with good ol obedience

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My grandfather is in bed with cancer. He has a few months to live. He already gave away his dog to my aunt but she lives a few states away. This is the first time in his whole life except for college that he isn’t living with atleast one dog. He loves dogs and I was wondering if therapy dogs would visit him at his house so he can spend some time with them. I’m living with him to take care of him right now.

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I know that Therapy Dogs are not by law a Service dog Because they do not normally help their owners.. But in my case My chihuahua is a therapy dog for me because I have nervous Disorders.. And she helps me, which i am her owner… Does that make her a service dog because when i get nervous attacks she helps me, or is she still considered not a true service dog?
(She is a certified therapy dog)

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I have a UKC registered American Pitbull Terrier and would love to have him become a therapy dog. He is so gentle with children and seniors, he loves to be around them. I know Pitbulls are being used left and right as police, service, and therapy dogs nationwide. I want to make mine another ambassador for his breed.i live in Bellingham, Wa and have no clue how to get started.
I have the obedience issue covered. He far surpasses sit and stay. He is also extremely reliable when it comes to commands. I tell him to lay down and stay, walk out of the room and ten minutes later he is in the same place.

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