Recently, I wrote an article about the importance of therapy animals (specifically dogs with training geared towards obedience and therapy) in nursing homes, elder care, and memory care facilities or assisted living communities for people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.
I stressed the essential need for these patients to be able to stay in their homes and age in place with home healthcare instead so that they could have a better quality of life with their pets. Unfortunately, nursing homes that allow dogs to live with their patients are few and far between. Learning this made me seriously consider getting the necessary training for my dog, Lucy, as she has a sweet and gentle demeanor – fitting for a therapy dog.
Lucy has a lot of experience in this area because, since she was a puppy, I have brought her to my workplace. She is our studio-mate and my road-dog (for which she provides tremendous support, especially during traffic congestion!). Gratefully, I work for a wonderful man who understands the essential principles animals play in mental health, therefore making me a more efficient, focused, and happier employee.
This supportive environment has allowed Lucy to develop her social skills and comfort around people, making her an ideal candidate for certification to visit nursing homes. Her presence brings joy and comfort to everyone she meets, and I am confident that she will make a positive impact on the residents’ lives.
To get a dog like Lucy certified to visit nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers, and the like, we must first make sure she gets the AKC’s (American Kennel Club) Good Citizen stamp of approval.
Then, according to the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), “ATD provides testing, certification, registration, support, and insurance for members who volunteer with dogs to visit hospitals, special needs centers, schools, nursing homes, and other facilities. We’re a network of caring volunteers who are willing to share our special canines to bring smiles and joy to people, young and old alike,”.
ATD shares the requirements necessary to get certified below:
- “Background Check
- Download & Complete Paperwork
- Download Membership Forms
- Find a Volunteer Tester/Observer
- Download Brochure
- What Makes a Good Therapy Dog?
- Sweet, Friendly & Gentle Dogs
- A therapy dog must be at least one-year-old.
- Any dog of any breed or mix of breeds can be a therapy dog.
- A therapy dog doesn’t have to perform any tricks or know any special commands such as “fetch.” However, therapy dogs must listen to their handlers.
- Therapy dogs need to have a calm and gentle disposition. They must be good around other dogs, calm when strangers pet them all over, not jump on others, walk on a leash without pulling, and not startled by things such as strange noises, smells, and medical equipment.
- A therapy dog must be current on all vaccines required by the local laws, have a negative fecal test every 12 months, and be clean and well groomed for each visit.
- ATD doesn’t restrict member’s choices regarding what they feed to their canine team partners.
- Therapy dogs don’t have the legal access rights that service or assistance dogs have. NOTE: If a member misrepresents that their therapy dog is a service or assistance dog, they’ve violated ATD’s Rules and Regulations and they’ve put their membership and the integrity of ATD at risk,”.
Therapy dog certification
Alliance of Therapy Dogs is not the only organization that can help our furry companions get certified; there are many others. Here are a few that I found:
- Paws with a Cause (I did a special Public Relations campaign for them as a Communications student at The University of Michigan!)
- Therapy Dogs International (TDI)
- Pet Partners
- Certified Therapy Dog, Inc. (CTD
- Pawsitive Changes Therapy Dogs
- Therapaws of Michigan
- The Dog Alliance
Paws with a Cause explains further about therapy dogs, or as they call them, “Facility Dogs” in the following way, “We are excited about the opportunity to serve even more people and communities through PAWS dogs by introducing our facility dog program. Placing assistance dogs with people with disabilities will remain our top priority.
When PAWS dogs cannot become assistance dogs, our goal is to find another working career that is right for them. One of these options is to place them as facility dogs, which will enable them to enhance the lives of many people and entire communities.
Facility dogs work well in the following environments:
- Schools
- Health care facilities
- Residential care facilities
- Counseling and mental health settings
- Senior living homes
- Funeral homes,”.
Oh, I love how they make sure all dogs have a purpose!
How much does it cost to get your dog therapy certified?
As a single mom of two sons and one dog (Lucy), obviously, the cost will play a significant part in whether or not I will be able to get Lucy certified as a therapy dog.
Here is a complete breakdown of the costs of dog therapy certification from The Dog Alliance, “The typical therapy dog training cost ranges between $2,000 to $5,000, but the final price can vary depending on the program type, location, and trainer experience.
Pet owners may also encounter extra costs, such as certification fees between $100 and $300, and ongoing maintenance expenses for refresher sessions and healthcare, which can total an additional $500 to $1,000 annually.
For those on a budget, group lessons offer the most affordable route, while board-and-train programs provide faster, more intensive training but at a higher cost. It’s important to factor in not just the upfront price but also any long-term expenses related to certification and ongoing training to maintain the dog’s skills,”.
Darn it – looks like I’ll have to wait until I get a raise or my sons move out before I can afford to have sweet Lucy certified as a therapy dog!
How to get dog certified to visit nursing homes
In conclusion, getting your dog certified to visit nursing homes is a rewarding journey. With patience, training, and dedication, your furry friend can bring joy and comfort to those in need, making a positive impact on their lives.