Grace Blankenhagen, SPT
Pre-Test
Broad Objectives
The learners will be able to identify the differences
between service dogs, emotional support dogs, and
therapy dogs.
The learners will be able to understand the
emotional benefits to having therapy dogs visit
patients.
The learners will be able to identify different
organizations therapy dogs can be registered
through.
Specific Objectives
Cognitive
Learners will be able to identify the specific behavior
qualities ideal in therapy dogs.
The learner will be able to tell the difference between
service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs in
public.
Psychomotor
The learner will be able to demonstrate proper therapy dog
behavior with their own dog if they so choose.
Affective
The learners will be able to realize the benefits of therapy
dogs to the patients well-being.
Service Dogs 1
Trained specifically for Cancer
persons with disabilities
Autism
Mobility Issues
Sensory loss
Epilepsy
Diabetes PTSD
Multiple Sclerosis Bone and skeletal
Emotional Support Dogs 1
Mental and emotional disorders
Do not perform specific tasks
Emotional stability
Unconditional love
https://www.certapet.com/faq/esa-vest/
Therapy Dogs 1, 2, 3
NOT service dogs
Hospitals
Nursing homes Do NOT have special access
like service dogs
Foster homes
Homeless shelters
Schools
Natural disasters
Training
Basic obedience
Leash manners
See demonstration
Registering the Therapy Dog 4
National Organizations: Michigan Therapy Groups:
Alliance of Therapy Pet-A-Pet Club, Inc.
Dogs Detroit/Ann Arbor
Bright and Beautiful U.S.A. Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Therapy Dogs Central Michigan
Love on a Leash West Michigan Therapy
Pet Partners Dogs, Inc.
Therapy Dogs Inc. Greater Western
Michigan
Therapy Dogs
International
Registering the Therapy Dog:
Therapy Dogs International (TDI)5
Dog Requirements: Handler Requirements:
Minimum of 1 year old Good character
Healthy No minimum age
Not registered with another 1 dog and 1 handler $10
organization testing fee
Obedience training Evaluation by Evaluator
from TDI
Pass a temperament
evaluation No requirements for therapy
dog classes
Registering the Therapy Dog:
Alliance of Therapy Dogs6
Must pass handler/dog team test
3 successful supervised visits
Apply for membership
Registering the Therapy Dog:
American Kennel Club Certification7
Registered by an AKC recognized therapy dog
organization
Reach a certain number of visits
Registered with AKC
Canine Good Citizen (optional)
Application and $20 fee
Benefits of Therapy Dogs 8
Improve mood
Increased socialization
Increased alertness
Increased verbalization
Increased satisfaction
Qualities of a Good Therapy Dog3
Social Skills One year of age
Passive Current on vaccines
Basic obedience Clean and well
groomed
Manners
Best Breeds for Therapy Dogs
Things to Consider Before
Volunteering
Allergies
Fear of dogs
Can the dog handle it
What are the desired sites requirements
Hospital Requirements:
McLaren Northern Michigan9
Approval
Proof of TDI or AKC, and CGC certification
Updated vet records
Be leashed, held, or caged by owner
Check for patient or staff allergies
Follow procedures
Report hours of service to Volunteer Services
Proof of Effectiveness
Therapy Dogs and Alzheimers
Swall et al10
Therapy Dogs and Student Stress Levels
Barker et al11
Improve Pain Perception in Total Joint Patients
Harper et al12
Questions?
Post-Test
Works Cited
Works Cited
1. United States Dog Registry. http://usdogregistry.org/?gclid=CjwKEAjwqdi7BRCL6Zmjk5-
rsTwSJABmrVabymKkbYNlrJ04l4uz9YZkwWPvTngXPVLP-uoqHBL3SxoC9STw_wcB. Updated 2013. Accessed August 1, 2016.
2. What is a therapy dog? AKC Website. http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/about/. Updated 2016.
Accessed on August 1, 2016.
3. Service Animal Requirements. US Service Animals Website. http://www.usserviceanimals.org/therapy-animal-requirements/.
Updated 2015. Accessed on August 1, 2016.
4. Therapy Dog Organizations. AKC Website. http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/organizations/.
Updated 2016. Accessed August 1, 2016.
5. Testing Requirements. Therapy Dogs International Website. http://www.tdi-
dog.org/HowToJoin.aspx?Page=Testing+Requirements. Updated 2016. Accessed August 1, 2016.
6. More About Therapy Dogs. Alliance of Therapy Dogs Website.
https://www.therapydogs.com/TherapyDogRequirements.html. Updated 2015. Accessed August 1, 2016.
7. How to Earn the Title: Qualifications. AKC Website. http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/how-to-
earn-title. Updated 2016. Accessed on August 1, 2016.
8. Jones J. Perceptions of the impact of pet therapy on residents/patients and staff in facilities visited by therapy dogs. TDI.
www.tdi-dog.org/images/TDIStudy.pdf. Accessed on August 1, 2016.
9. Animal Therapy. McLaren Northern Michigan Website. http://www.mclaren.org/northernmichigan/volunteer-therapy.aspx.
Accessed August 1, 2016.
10. Swall A, Ebbeskog B, Hagelin CL, Fagerberg I. Can therapy dogs evoke awareness of ones past and present life in persons with
Alzheimers disease? Int J Older People Nurs. June 2013;10(2):84-93. doi:
http://dx.doi.org.cmich.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/opn.12053 .
11. Barker SB, Barker RT, McCain NL, Schubert CM. A randomized cross-over exploratory study on the effect of visiting therapy
dogs on college student stress before final exams. Anth. March 2016;29(1):35-46. doi: 10.1080/08927936.2015.1069988.
12. Harper CM, Dong Y, Thornhill TS, Wright J, Ready J, Brick GW, Dyer G. Can therapy dogs improve pain and satisfaction after
total joint arthroplasty? A randomized controlled trial. Clin Orthop Relat Res. September 2014;473(1):372-379. doi:
10.1007/s11999-014-3931-0.