A Volunteer Therapy Dog Organization
Caring
Therapy
Canines
Paws For Love
P.O. Box 901
Wooster, OH 44691
The Benefits
The benefits of pet therapy are felt in many ways. The presence of a dog has the power to calm, entertain, and foster communications and socialization. Dogs provide nonjudgemental companionship. They accept you the way you are. The presence of a dog in an institutional or stressful environment can lighten the atmosphere and lower stress levels. Entertainment, laughter, and play increase social interaction and communication and lessen feelings of isolation and loneliness. Petting a dog can not only lower blood pressure, it can provide a soothing touch in an atmosphere where many feelings are painful or invasive.
Our Organization
Caring Therapy Canines is an independent therapy dog organization dedicated to promoting therapy dog visitations and animal-assisted activities to our local community. We provide support for all volunteers who have registered therapy dogs.
Requirements
- All members participating with a dog must have that dog tested and registered with a nationally recognized therapy dog certifying agency such as Therapy Dogs, Inc., or Delta Society. Members must maintain active membership with that agency and abide by that agency's rules and regulations.
- Dogs must be kept current on all licensing and health requirements.
- All types of dogs are welcome. Many of our therapy dogs have been adopted from local shelters or other rescue organizations.
We welcome members who do not currently have a therapy dog, but are interested in our organization and support our cause.
Certification
Although therapy dogs don't need special classes to do therapy work, they do need to be friendly and under control.
The American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (C.G.C.) program is a good place to start (www.akc.org). Designed to promote responsible pet ownership, the program shows that a dog can be well mannered both at home and in public.
For specific rules and requirements for testing and registering your dog as a therapy dog, contact any of the following organizations.
Therapy Dogs, Inc.
P.O. Box 20227
Cheyenne, WY 82003
(877) 843-7364
Email: therapydogsinc@gwest.net
Examples of what your dog must be able to do to pass a therapy dog test:
- Sit down, stay, and come on command
- Accept a friendly stranger
- Accept being petter by a stranger
- Accept children
- Be clean and well groomed
- Walk close on a loose leash
- Walk through a crowd of people
- Be neutral or mildly positive to another dog
- Recover well from startling distractions
- Not panic during group hugs or restrained hugs
- Put up with angry yelling and getting bumped
- Be able to handle wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches
- Leave food alone on command
Contact Us
Want to schedule a program for your organization?
Want to schedule a visit by us to your facility?
Have questions about training or testing?
Are you considering membership?
Click here to contact us.
