[Lunareclipse]

How do I go about gettting Luna registered as a therapy dog? She loves to visit the nursing home and I want to know how I can get her registered to do that.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

How do I go about gettting Luna registered as a therapy dog? She loves to visit the nursing home and I want to know how I can get her registered to do that.

Found these sites on the web that might answer some of your questions:

Therapy Dogs

Therapy Dogs Inc.

Dog Play: Testing and Registering Your Therapy Pet for Visits --I think this is prob. the one you want to see the most!

[Lara's mom]

I don't know how it works in the States but here, the dog has to be under 18 months of age and pass a course that is run by St. John's Ambulance. Bailey was a registered therapy dog for many years. I formally retired her when she was 10 years old because I could see that she really wasn't enjoying all of the bathing and travel that is required in order to do her visits.

Her favourite place to go was an AIDS Hospice. The patients all adored her.

[Lunareclipse]

I read the sites posted. Luna has to be over 2 years old to take the test to get certified. She will be in June which happens to be when the next test is. I wrote down names and numbers of where the tests will be and haven't gotten hold of anyone yet. So I will try again tomorrow.

[Lara's mom]

That's great!!! It's very rewarding and Luna will love all the attention she gets!!! Good luck to both of you!

[Lunareclipse]

Thank you. I may have to drag Ryan out of the house to get it done, but he'll get over it.

[Todd]

i'd love to have Lucky certified as a therapy dog but i could imagine her getting of the leash and jumping onto each and every bed greating the old folks with a wet kiss to the face

also, here's an answer to this similar question that a professional dog trainer gave on yahoo answers;

The two main organizations that certify you are TDI and Delta. Therapy Dogs International and Delta Society.

The tests are similar. You need to complete a course with a trainer or through a textbook and mail things in. Then you take the test. The The Delta test has two parts. The first part is EXACTLY the same as the CGC (Canine Good Citizen test) given by the AKC. So preparing for and taking the CGC will give you a good idea of what to expect on the therapy dog test.

The CGC tests your dog on basic commands, meeting strangers, being handled by strangers, and meeting another dog. Things like sitting politely for petting, sitting politely for brushing, and heeling with you through an obstacle course. Your dog can't get over-excited, and definitely can't show aggression.

The Delta test is a little more in-depth, but builds on the skills needed for the CGC. For example, your dog has to allow someone to hug him. This is an unnatural thing for a dog, and some dogs won't like it. Some dogs will snap or bite you. Your dog has to demonstrate that he won't do that! Delta test also tests your dog around medical equipment such as wheel chairs or walkers, around infirm people, around people having an argument, around loud noises. Your dog has to demonstrate confidence around these situations, and be under control. For instance, your dog may be lightly bumped by a walker. Your dog can't snap or become too upset.

Above all, these tests want to see that you and your dog work as a team. Some of the things described may seem easy to you, and some may not. Enrolling in a class will help you with your weak areas, and help prepare you for the test.

Contact your local kennel club to find out about what group (TDI or DELTA) is active near you.

http://www.deltasociety.org/

http://www.tdi-dog.org/