Therapy dog training and evaluation

The class

Both ends of the lead are taught how to conduct visits to nursing homes, day-care centres and schools. A Therapy Dogs International evaluation is given on completion of the class.

That phrase matters: the handler is trained as well as the dog. A therapy dog visit is a conversation — with a resident who wants to stroke the dog, a child who is nervous of it, or a nurse who needs you to move on — and the handler has to read the room while the dog reads the person.

What the training covers

• Calm, controlled greeting without jumping up or pawing.
• Settling quietly beside a bed, chair or wheelchair for an extended period.
• Accepting clumsy or unexpected handling without growling or pulling away.
• Working on a loose lead in confined corridors and lifts.
• Reading when a dog has had enough, and ending the visit on a good note.

Is your dog suitable?

The dogs that do best are friendly, patient and genuinely relaxed around strangers — temperament matters far more than breed or size. Shy dogs can improve enormously with the confidence work in the agility and manners classes, but a therapy dog must enjoy the attention rather than simply tolerate it.

When it runs

Therapy dog classes are announced as dates are set, and run alongside the Sunday classes at 622 Alameda in Norman. Call 405-224-7715 to be told when the next class begins.

See photographs from therapy dog classes.