Therapy Dog

What is a Therapy Dog?

Therapy Dogs are special dogs that enjoy human engagement and bring smiles, comfort, and joy to people in places that need it most. While Therapy dogs are well trained they are NOT trained Service Dogs or Emotional Support Dogs.

Therapy dogs have but one job….to bring smiles and comfort to someone who is in need.

What do Therapy Dog teams do?

Every Great Dog Certified Therapy Dog handlers volunteer their time with their own dogs by their side. We share the love our dogs give us by visiting with those in need. These places include schools, children’s hospitals, rehabilitation centers, the juvenile and family courthouse, library reading programs, memory care facilities, assisted living facilities, the VA, and counseling sessions.

What is involved in the Therapy Dog program?

Throughout our innovative program, you and your dog will learn a multitude of advanced obedience cues that you will use on real visits. We integrate training with important safety measures to prepare you for a variety of visit locations. Our training curriculum is full of training exercises, experiences, and distraction exposure so handlers and their dogs can achieve proficiency with ease.

Here is a snapshot of just some of the items we train:

• Calm greetings of friendly strangers

• Sit Stay in small group in public

• Exit/enter doorway with waiting and no pulling

• Walking on a loose leash in distracting environments

• Leave it

• Stay