How to Get a Pet Therapy Certification

Research has shown pet therapy can greatly benefit the sick and the elderly both emotionally and physically. While dogs are the most common pets used for pet therapy, there are also opportunities for cats and pocket pets. To get started working as a pet therapy volunteer, you and your furry friend will need to get a pet therapy certification.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 

   Make sure your pet is a good fit for a pet therapy program. Most programs require that your pet has lived with you for at least six months and is at least one year old at the time of evaluation. Animals that exhibit aggressive behavior or have a history of biting people are obviously not good candidates for pet therapy.

2. 

   Enroll your pet in a pet therapy training program or obedience class. To get a pet therapy certification, your pet will need to pass an evaluation. Most evaluations require that your pet obeys basic commands and is comfortable interacting with strangers in various settings. You can search for pet therapy training programs in your area at the Delta Society Web site: deltasociety.org. Or you can search for "Canine Good Citizen" classes in your area at the American Kennel Club Web site: akc.org.

3. 

   Once your pet has completed an obedience class or pet therapy training program, you will need to get your pet therapy certification. The Delta Society's Pet Partners program offers certification. You can search for evaluators in your area at: deltasociety.org.
   
   Other pet therapy organizations include Therapy Dogs International (tdi-dog.org) and The Foundation for Pet-Provided Therapy (loveonaleash.org). Members of Therapy Dogs International must pass an evaluation at one of the organization's testing sites while members of The Foundation for Pet-Provided Therapy must pass an obedience/control evaluation by any professional dog trainer.

4. 

   Your city may also have a local pet therapy organization that offers pet therapy training and certification. You can ask your veterinarian or the local animal hospital if they know of any programs.

5. 

   After becoming certified and registering with a national or local pet therapy organization, you and your pet can start visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't make it to a training class, the Delta Society also offers an at home study program. You can learn more about it at deltasociety.org.

Resources

• Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others
• 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog
• Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems

[sonni57]

on 8/18/2009 Good information on how to get pet therapy certification.