I hear it so often from clients “I want my dog to became a Therapy Dog”. It’s a fantastic goal, but does your dog have what it takes?

When considering whether your dog would make a good therapy dog, first ask yourself a few questions: Does your dog startle easily or is he afraid of unexpected noises?  Is he tolerant of being hugged and pulled on, sometimes abruptly, by perfect strangers?  Is he able to keep calm and well-behaved while in the presence of other dogs?  Is he able to control himself around food, even if dropped on the floor? Does your dog have a stable enough temperament that he is basically “bomb-proof”?  And if he passes all of the above questions, would he truly enjoy it?

I think that some dogs have an extraordinary ability to help people in ways unlike anyone or anything else.  The thought that a child in the hospital would only smile in the presence of dog is amazing.  Or that another was only motivated to take the first steps towards rehabilitation because of a dog brings tears to my eyes.  These animals are so amazing and can reach people in ways that nothing else can.

So, if you think your dog has what it takes, go for it!  There are many qualified organizations that can assist you on your journey (and I can point you in the right direction).  But make sure that you fully believe that it’s right for YOUR dog and that he will truly love it.  There’s an old saying, “Therapy dogs are born, not made”, and I believe that to be true.  We can teach a dog to be tolerant of certain things (see last week’s post on hugging), but if he doesn’t absolutely LOVE IT, it’s not the right job for him!

Thank God for Therapy Dogs!

Stacie & Ronan