How Do I Get My Dog Certified as a Therapy Dog?
One of the most common questions we receive is how to get started with therapy dog work. While there are many paths to becoming a therapy dog team, the most important qualities are a well-socialized dog, a committed handler, and a desire to help others
Preparing Your Dog
Many of our members have completed obedience training through organizations such as PetSmart, Petco, or local professional trainers. While formal classes are not required, we strongly recommend that dogs have a solid foundation in basic obedience and good manners. Passing the CGC is a great way to
Adult Obedience Level 1 and Level 2 classes are a great place to start.
Therapy dogs should be comfortable and confident in a variety of environments, including:
Crowded events
Children and large groups of people
Loud noises and music
Balloons and sudden sounds
Wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment
New locations and unfamiliar situations
Good places to practice socialization include:
Home Depot
Lowe's
Outdoor shopping centers
Farmers markets
Community events
The more positive experiences your dog has in different environments, the better prepared they will be for therapy work.
Therapy Dog Certification Through Alliance of Therapy Dogs
East Valley Therapy Dogs certifies teams through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD).
To learn more about the certification process, visit: www.therapydogs.com/join-therapy-dogs. We highly recommend watching the informational video located on the ATD website. It provides an excellent overview of the testing process and the minimum requirements for becoming a therapy dog team.
Getting Started
Before scheduling your evaluation, you will need to:
Complete a Background Check
$20 fee
Valid for six months
Obtain a Veterinary Health Form - Your veterinarian will complete a health form that includes:
Current health information
Required fecal test results
Required Equipment For testing and visits, handlers should have:
A standard 4-foot leash
Safe walking shoes with backs or a heel strap
ATD Membership Fees
Alliance of Therapy Dogs membership fees are:
$35 annual membership fee
$20 one-time new member fee
Total first-year cost: $55
Testing and Observations
Once your paperwork is complete, you may contact an ATD Tester/Observer (T/O) to begin the evaluation process.
ATD requires:
A handling evaluation during your first visit
Three supervised observations
At least two observations completed at a medical facility
The third observation may be completed at another approved location
You can search for a Tester/Observer near you through the ATD website. East Valley Therapy Dogs is fortunate to have two certified Tester/Observers on our team.