Toledo Therapy Dog Classes

Our unique Therapy Dog Training Course prepares both the dog & owner/handler to become a registered Pet Partner through Delta Society! Delta Society is the only national registry that requires volunteer training and screening of animal/handler teams. Delta Society's Pet Partner Teams are able to assist in Animal-Assisted Activity and Animal Assisted Therapy programs. Teams can visit participating animal programs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools and other facilities.
After graduation, we will help you connect with local facilities in your area.

Our Therapy Dog Training class focuses on preparing the handler and dog for the therapy environment. We will work on skills that include working around medical equipment, unpredictable circumstances, loud noises, distractions, medical scents & even have mock visits!

Prerequisite For Dogs: For dogs over 1 year & with owner for at least 6 months. Current Vaccines, This is an advanced-level course and all dogs should have their AKC Canine Good Citizen title within past 2 years. Please note: dogs that have been trained for any type of bite work cannot enroll.

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Typical sequence of dog training classes to lead up to entering Therapy Dog Class:
Basic Dog Training
Canine Good Citizen-Canine Good Citizen Earned
Therapy Dog Class
Or:
Current Canine Good Citizen Earned (within 2 years)
Therapy Dog Class

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Prerequisite For Handlers/Owner: Handler must be at least 10 years old to become a Pet Partner.

Class Details: 6-1hr classes, plus 1 Pet Partner evaluation & Delta Society's Pet Partners Team Manual (Manual value $42) Class Cost $150 (sorry, no discounts on this class)

The price of the class also includes a Delta Society's Pet Partners evaluation and a Pet Partners Team Manual (required to become a Pet Partner).

Topics Covered: Determining stress and calming signals in your dog, ethics, liability, handling difficult situations, animal health & safety, interacting with special people, local therapy locations & joining a therapy dog group!


Commands/Skills Refreshed:
Accepting a friendly stranger
Accepting petting
Appearance & grooming
Out for a walk
Walk through a crowd
Reaction to distractions
Sit/Down/Stay/Recall/Leave It/Offer a treat
Animal passed to 3 strangers (small dogs)
Animal placed on lap or table (small dogs)
Reaction to neutral dog
Overall examination
Clumsy petting
Restraining hug
Staggering & gesturing
Angry yelling
Bumped from behind
Crowded & petted by several people
Proactive Handler/Owner
Why Delta Society Pet Partner Program above other non-Delta Therapy Dog Programs?
This is an issue that must be addressed for the safety of all that are involved. We are aware that many facilities allow animals to visit. Often these animals have not been tested by any nationally recognized standard.

The Delta Society Pet Partner Program registers animal-people teams that successfully complete skills, aptitude, and health screening and evaluation, along with volunteer training.

To become a Delta Society Pet Partner program member, the animal must first successfully pass the 19 part Pet Partners skills and aptitude evaluation. Then, the animal must pass a health screening conducted by a licensed veterinarian for specific health and temperament criteria.

To help the candidate volunteer feel capable, confident, and effective, Delta Society requires that the volunteer receive a minimum level of instruction on how to participate in a visiting animal program. This instruction, The Delta Society Pet Partner Team Training Course, contains much practical information for volunteers. The candidate must also complete a written test, which is then submitted to Delta Society for review.

There are many types of facilities that Pet Partners teams can visit; however teams vary in experience, confidence, and capability. Therefore, each Pet Partner team will be qualified to visit in either Predictable or Complex environment. This will be noted on their ID badge.
Delta Society Pet Partner Teams:
Provides standard-based training for the handler
Has criteria in place for evaluating the suitability of all
domesticated animals
Screens the Team at both ends of the leash. Both the animal and handler must work as an effective team.
Requires that Delta Society Licensed Animal-Handler Team
Evaluators and Team Training Course Instructors renew their
license every two years
Delta Society also provides its members with an educational newsletter.

As a Registered Delta Society Pet Partner, you will receive:
Delta Society Membership and Interactions Magazine
$1 Million primary liability insurance
Identification badge & collar id tag
Referral to facilities searching for Pet Partner teams
Exclusive offers to Pet Partners accessories
Opportunity to network with other Pet Partner teams
Support from the Delta Society office
Membership option to Toledo Therapy Dogs (first year paid)
Tentative 2009 Class Start Dates:
Wed 6pm (1-7; 1-14; 1-21; 1-28; 2-4; 2-11) Test Day 3-7-2009 5151 Monroe St
Wed 7pm (1-7; 1-14; 1-21; 1-28; 2-4; 2-11) Test Day 3-7-2009 5151 Monroe St
Mon 6pm (6-1; 6-8; 6-15; 6-22; 6-29; 7-6) Test Day 7-11-2009
Mon 7pm (6-1; 6-8; 6-15; 6-22; 6-29; 7-6) Test Day 7-11-2009
Thur 6pm (10-1; 10-8; 10-15; 10-22; 10-29; 11-5) Test Day 11-7-2009
Thur 7pm (10-1; 10-8; 10-15; 10-22; 10-29; 11-5) Test Day 11-7-2009