Therapy Dog Academy

So, your dog wants to be a therapy dog? Well, we’ve got a course for that! This 6-week course gives dogs and handlers the necessary skills for not only passing the test, but also for working successfully as a therapy dog team. The course is taught by Deb, who has been a therapy dog handler since the mid-1990s, has had 6 therapy dog partners over the years, and has directed a large therapy dog certification and training program since 2005.

“After taking Deb’s therapy dog class, Senna and I had no trouble completing our Therapy Dogs of Vermont (TDV ) certification.”

— Clare and Senna (Golden Retriever)

“Deb’s classes are founded on the bedrock of teaching skills using positive reinforcement and insight into the ways dogs communicate to us. Both are key in therapy dog work! Her knowledge of the challenges across settings where a therapy dog may be working is the voice in my head as we make visits. Deb works to bring as much “reality” to class as possible and provides handlers guidance which leads to success during the TDV test and evaluations!”

— Paulette and Ivy (Australian Shepherd)

This course is suitable for people and dogs working:

Toward therapy dog certification;
As a therapy dog team and wanting to develop new skills and/or hone existing ones; and
Working out in public public (e.g., workplace, future service dog training, traveling).

Class benefits include:

Acquiring skills for therapy dog testing (heeling, attention, polite greetings, and more);
Gaining tools and know-how to work effectively and safely as a therapy dog team;
Reading dog body language to understand how s/he feels when working/visiting; and
Becoming an excellent handler and developing a close working relationship with your dog.

Please note: Pre-requisite: Gold Star Dog Training Basic/Essentials course; contact us to discuss exceptions. Course does not grant/guarantee therapy dog certification. Dogs must have a solid grasp of basic obedience and be free of aggression/reactivity towards people or other dogs. Click here to review course policies before registration.