Therapy Dogs International is a volunteer organization that registers therapy dogs and their handlers. The non-profit is a therapy dog organization recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Since Therapy Dogs International is recognized by the AKC and has evaluators all over the US, it is one of the go-to organizations for therapy dog registration. However, registering a dog with Therapy Dogs International isn’t as easy as one might think with the organization’s high standards.
Our article will cover everything about Therapy Dogs International registration. Read on to learn if your dog meets the requirements to be registered with Therapy Dogs International.
What Is a Therapy Dog?
The definition of therapy dogs isn’t the same as that of other support animals. A therapy dog is a dog that provides emotional comfort to individuals through companionship. These dogs are generally utilized by non-profit organizations to provide therapeutic benefits to individuals in stressful locations, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and special needs schools.
Unlike service animals, which are trained specifically to help someone with a disability, therapy dogs don’t require any training. However, these dogs must behave well in public and act friendly towards strangers in everyday situations. They should also have training to remain obedient and calm in the presence of strangers.
What Is Therapy Dogs International?
Therapy Dogs International is a non-profit organization that regulates and registers therapy dogs. It is one of the therapy dog organizations recognized by the American Kennel Club.
After registering a dog with Therapy Dogs International, they can receive the AKC Therapy Dog title. However, the registration process isn’t straightforward and has strict requirements.
How to Register Your Dog with Therapy Dogs International
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can register your dog with Therapy Dogs International.
1) Basic Requirements
Therapy Dogs International has a few basic requirements for dogs and handlers. These basic requirements are as follows.
- The dog must not have a human bite history
- The dog must not have been trained using a shock collar for basic obedience
- The dog must be well-behaved
- The dog must be over one year of age
- The dog must not be an active service dog
- The dog must not have registered with another therapy dog organization
- The dog (females) must not be in heat during testing
- The handler must be over 18 or between 12 and 18 years of age with a parent/legal guardian present
2) Health Requirements
Before you can take the test to register your dog with Therapy Dogs International, your dog must meet the health requirements set by the organization. The exact health requirements for Therapy Dogs International include:
- An annual check-up given by a licensed veterinarian within the past year
- Rabies vaccination
- Distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis vaccinations
- A negative fecal exam within the past year
- If not on continuous heartworm preventative medication, a negative heartworm test within the past year. If on continuous preventative medication, a negative heartworm test within the past two years
3) Pass the Therapy Dogs International Test
One reason Therapy Dogs International is a well-respected therapy dog organization is the high standards for qualification. The organization has a 13-step test to measure obedience and dog friendliness to decide if dogs are a good fit for therapy dog work.
Here’s an overview of the Therapy Dogs International test for therapy dog qualification.
All dogs must wear a non-corrective flat buckle collar or harness on a six-foot leash during the test. After the Therapy Dogs International evaluator checks everything, the test can begin.
Phase 1 starts with leaving the dog with someone else for a minute. If the dog whines, barks, or tries to follow the handler, it is an immediate disqualification. Once passed, the dog goes through a series of tests that include walking around people and basic commands. Disobeying commands or acting reserved or aggressive around strangers results in disqualification.
Phase 2 focuses on advanced obedience, such as ignoring food and performing commands in the presence of distractions. The dog then meets another dog to test if they have dog aggression.
The last part of the test is about the dog’s reaction to children. It involves children playing around, running, and yelling – typical things kids do – while the handler and the dog walk past playing children and lie down. The handler then simulates reading a book as the dog lies down away from the children.
If the dog remains calm without going towards children, barking aggressively, or being startled without recovery, they pass the test. If any of these happen, the dog fails the test. Note that Therapy Dogs International doesn’t provide training for this test – handlers must train their dogs themselves.
Is Registering Your Dog with Therapy Dogs International Worth It?
Therapy Dogs International may have high standards for qualification, but the organization is well-respected and recognized by the American Kennel Club.
By registering your dog with Therapy Dogs International, your dog can get the AKC Therapy Dog title and receive other titles based on the number of visits they’ve had that range from AKC Therapy Dog Novice (10 visits) to AKC Therapy Dog Supreme (600 visits). The organization also covers handlers in case of an accident during a visit.
All these make registering your dog with Therapy Dogs International well worth it. However, note that there’s an initial fee of $70, and you must renew your registration for $40 annually.