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Do you ever wonder if your dog would make a good nursing home therapy dog? Perhaps you’ve considered this possibility after watching the heartwarming responses from residents when they see a dog in the nursing home.
While I’m a strong advocate for pets living onsite in nursing homes, visits from therapy dogs are also very beneficial to residents. These benefits include:
- entertainment
- companionship
- increased self-esteem
- physical touch
- unconditional acceptance
- socialization
- increased physical activity
- lessening of depression
- reduction in anxiety
What is a therapy dog?
We’ve heard a lot about service dogs in the news recently, so I think it’s important to understand the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog. Therapy dogs go with their owners to volunteer at nursing homes, hospital, schools and other settings. They provide comfort, affection, and emotional support to a variety of people.
Service dogs, on the other hand, receive specialized training to assist an individual with special needs or disabilities. While there are rare situations where a dog might be involved in both roles, most dogs function specifically as a service dog or a therapy dog.
Service dogs hold special legal rights, such as access to restaurants or public transportation, to provide support to their owner. Therapy dogs do not maintain these rights.
What type of dog makes a good therapy dog?
While Labrador retrievers and German shepherds are two of the most common types, nearly any breed can be a therapy dog. Both male and female dogs are equally effective. The personality of the individual dog is the most important criterion. A few of the characteristics one looks for are:
- Friendly and likes to be petted
- Accepting of strangers
- Calm around other animals and children
- Remains relaxed around noises such as alarms or residents who may make unusual sounds
- Not disturbed by wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment
- Gentle
- Obedient
How can my dog become a therapy dog?
There are an enormous number of organizations around the country that provide certification for therapy dogs. Although not every nursing home requires dogs to be certified, you’ll find definite advantages to going through this process. The certifying agencies offer important training, support, and liability insurance.
Each organization has its own criteria for dog training and testing. While a formal obedience course is usually not mandatory, you must train the dog to obey basic commands.
To be certified, the dog and its handler must pass a therapy dog evaluation by a trained evaluator. An exam by a vet is also necessary. Sometimes, the handler must also pass a criminal background check. You can find more information about certifying agencies near you on the American Kennel Club website.
Do you have experience with therapy dogs? Please share your insights in the comment section!
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