SpokesDog -- Therapy Pets Overview

Pet Therapy is a volunteer program where handlers and their certified companions visit patients or residents in care giving facilities.

These facilities may include nursing homes, retirement facilities and hospitals. Some communities may have special therapy programs for pet visits in hospice settings or even visits with children at schools or other locations. Qualified teams may be able to visit patients in a psychiatric hospital or persons doing time in prison. There are non-profit organizations that have specific locations for outpatients battling various health related problems that may welcome pet visits. To learn about the benefits for people receiving a pet visit please refer to the Overlake Hospital section.

Which Species Can Participate in Pet Visits?
Many domestic animals make suitable therapy pets. I have evaluated and certified cats, llamas, birds, guinea pigs and bunnies. The therapy evaluation is modified to suit size of any pet and of course the species. Dogs are the most common species for pet visits and all purebred dogs and mixed breeds are more than welcome to become involved with pet therapy.

What Is Expected of a Therapy Dog?

Dogs must like people and not be intimidated by strangers wanting to pet, cuddle, and if a toy breed, hold the pet. Some breeds and some dog personalities are more aloof than others and it is important that the person who is receiving a visit feels accepted. The dog needs to be calm, friendly, well mannered and under control by the handler. It is important that the pet be comfortable around unusual noises, unusual movement, different smells and sights. The dog needs to be comfortable around medical equipment such as a walker, cane or wheelchair. Dogs that visit patients in hospitals will be around medical equipment that may emit unusual sounds. Some environments are very busy and some more sedate. A positive visit is where the dog is appropriately matched with the population and the environment. Some dogs are more suited to visit the elderly, some more suited to visits with children and some dogs offer their special gifts to anyone wishing a visit.

Both Ends of the Leash
The Pet Partner Team Evaluation process tests both the handler and pet in various simulated circumstances such as those situations a team may encounter on a pet visit. These tests or exercises give the licensed evaluator the opportunity to test the pet’s temperament and behavior in a variety of mock situations. The tests also evaluate a handler’s ability to control that pet in these mock exercises. A handler should be comfortable talking with strangers in care giving facilities and be the pet’s advocate to ensure both their companion and the recipient of a pet visit stay safe and enjoy the interaction. The evaluation is modeled after the American Kennel Club’s® Canine Good Citizen test and is modified for various domestic pets.

Getting Started

The following information includes various class options to suit your needs. You may wish to attend our educational seminars, participate in a practice run reviewing all the test exercises included in your Pet Partner® Team Evaluation, or if your team is ready for the final test, just register for the Pet Partner® Team Evaluation.

The schedule for the various class seminars and evaluations, along with information covering class content, location and fee structure is included in the Therapy Pets section. Classes and evaluations are offered monthly, year around.

Private Evaluation for Suitability as a Therapy Pet
If you are not sure if your pet’s temperament and behavior are suitable for pet therapy visits we can set up a private session to evaluate your pet. This private session includes both an evaluation and training tips. After the one session, you will be given an overview and suggestions as to what your next step might be. Your next step could be attending the prep class which offers more training in a group setting, or if you are ready to test you could register for your Team Evaluation. If your team needs fine tuning and you require one on one assistance, additional private training specific to your pet therapy goals can be arranged.

Prep Class
This class is a fun, 3 hour training class that serves as a quick step or test run opportunity for any dog 6 months and older that has previously and successfully completed some basic obedience training. Other species are welcome and the minimum ages to attend this class for each species vary. The Prep class is an informative, no pressure class offering an overview of pet therapy and the opportunity to review all the exercises covered in the actual Pet Partner Team Evaluation. While performing the various exercises you will receive training assistance throughout the mock evaluation. Please refer to the Prep Class page for requirements specific to this class.

Pet Therapy 101
This entertaining and comprehensive, 1 hour class includes both an in depth seminar on pet therapy, an overview covering the reality of pet visits and is followed by your Pet Partner Team Evaluation. This seminar helps further prepare you for visits and is structured for the team ready to take their evaluation

Pet Partner® Team Evaluation
If you are familiar with pet therapy and are not in need of any information such as a seminar covering this volunteer opportunity, simply just register for the evaluation. You may register just for the evaluation that follows the Pet Therapy 101 seminar without attending the seminar or simply register for the Pet Partner® Team Evaluation on other scheduled test dates listed on this site. Please refer to the Pet Partner® Team Evaluation Test section in the pull down menu for the monthly testing schedule.

Overlake Hospital, Bellevue WA
We are always looking for more wonderful therapy teams to put smiles on the faces of patients at the hospital. Should you be interested in sharing your dog’s special gifts with patients at Overlake, please review the information on this site and contact me with any questions.

I am proud to be the program coordinator for Pet Therapy visits at Overlake Hospital. Any Overlake Hospital pet team who maintains regular visits and continues their visits at Overlake hospital and needs to be recertified will be able to do so at a 50% discount. Any additional recertification for teams maintaining regular visits at the hospital is offered at no charge.

Diane Rich
Diane Rich Dog Training, LLC
Licensed Delta Society Evaluator