Candidates must be well-adjusted members of the family, as they will play a crucial role in animal assisted therapy. This pet partner must be drawn toward people and able to thrive in various facilities. Each situation differs, and common sense requires a high level of obedience, proper hygiene, and evident veterinarian care. The team is evaluated for the resources they can provide professionally and with integrity, yet the evaluators will also look for the unique contributions each team can offer in diverse environments, particularly in the context of therapy dogs.
HANDLER REQUIREMENTS
1. Your pet must have resided with you for at least one year and must be at least one year of age before evaluation. No one other than the pet's owner may evaluate as the primary handler.
2. Handlers must disclose any training the dog has received for personal protection, including training related to Schutzhund sport.
3. Prior to the evaluation, the Handler must present a current veterinarian report confirming that all vaccinations are current.
4. The Handler must be sure that the dog is well-groomed, free from infections, sores, or stitches. Ears must be clean and odor-free, with no excessive drainage from the eyes. Nails should be smooth, and pads soft. Females in season will not be evaluated during this time. Shedding and skin dandruff must be under control.
5. If the pet is carried in for the evaluation, the handler must have a regulation leash and a basket, blanket, towel, or covering of some sort. Don't forget your dog's brush!
6. If the Handler or pet has special needs, the handler will inform the evaluator to ensure that proper accommodations are made.
7. Two dogs from the same family must be evaluated on separate dates.
8. The handler must approach the evaluation with ease. If anxious or tense, that tension can transfer down the leash, making even the best of pets nervous.
9. When making visits, the handler is responsible for outfitting the pet with appropriate equipment. Collars and leashes should not be fashion statements for working dogs; they must fit properly and be in good taste. E-collars, slip collars, prong collars, or pinch collars are prohibited, as are retractable leashes.
PET REQUIREMENTS
1. Does my pet socially accept people and their dogs without aggression, timidity, or anxiety, which is essential for therapy dogs?
2. Does my pet enjoy being groomed, or does he become anxious or nip when certain areas of his body are handled?
3. When we take walks, is my dog at my side, controlling the urge to cross over, pull, or tug when distracted or excited?
4. When a quick turn is necessary, does my dog become confused and break alignment with me?
5. Is my dog able to walk at my side even in crowded places or when encountering excessive noise and confusion?
6. Does my dog demonstrate commands such as "Heel, Sit, Stay, Down, Leave It, Off, and Come?"
7. As we walk, can my dog pass food or objects on the floor, in the hands of others, or in a garbage pail before or when given the command, "Leave It?"
8. Is my dog anxious or aggressive when other pets are nearby?
9. Is my dog able to be away from me for a short time without anxiety?
10. Does my dog become withdrawn or visibly overwhelmed when people are crying, lethargic, or angry, which can affect their role as a therapy dog?
11. Is my dog sensitive to crowds, smells, weather changes, or drastic changes in people in any given environment?
12. Is my dog partial to children, teens, adults, or the elderly? Does he react consistently to different races and cultures?
13. When faced with a loud crash or annoying noise, does my dog quickly recover or show avoidance by hiding behind me?
14. Does my dog bark when entering, being inside, or leaving an environment?
15. Does my dog respond with fear or anxiety when a reasonable or unexpected weight is placed on his body?
16. Is my dog someone who loves to mouth objects or human skin? Does my dog engage in excessive licking?