Therapy Dog Team Evaluation Practice
Learn more about volunteering with your dog and run through all the therapy dog evaluation exercises to determine if you and your dog are ready for testing.
Description
Learn how the therapy dog evaluation is scored and how to prepare for each exercise. At this workshop, you and your dog will have the opportunity to run through all of the exercises.
This workshop contains working segments with your dog and segments where your dog is expected to lie quiet at your feet while you listen and learn from the instructor. Please bring a dog toy and mat if that will help our dog settle when needed.
Instructors: This course is taught by senior-level trainers who are also therapy dog team evaluators and have extensive personal experience volunteering with their therapy dogs.
Prerequisites
Prior Training Required:
- Pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Community or Advanced evaluation and
- Instructor recommendation.
Additionally, dogs must be able to greet strangers without jumping up. Dogs must be able to work calmly when another dog is also working nearby. The ideal dog is comfortable in new situations and loves to be petted by everyone, young and old, of all races and all sizes, and wearing any garment, including hats, robes, hoodies, and costumes.
Age of dog: 12 months minimum. Please note that dogs closer to 18 months and older tend to be better suited for starting their therapy dog career.