Therapy Dog Training
If you’ve ever been in a hospital for an extended stay and had dogs come to visit, you’ve experienced the joy of a therapy dog. Different from service dogs, therapy dogs provide joy, levity, and comfort to people in compromised settings. They are often used in hospitals, nursing homes, special schools, and rehabilitation centers to help the people in these settings work through difficult times. Controlled K9 specializes in therapy dog training, offering professional services for dogs of all breeds and temperaments.
It’s important to note that therapy dogs are not the same as service dogs; each serves individual purposes and has a unique legal status as designated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Still, therapy dogs can play a vital role in the well-being and recovery of individuals no matter their situation.
At Controlled K9, our therapy dog training is designed to nurture your dog’s ability to connect with people while maintaining a calm, friendly demeanor. We offer therapy dog training programs that teach pups how to provide the comfort, compassion, and nurturing qualities their recipients need each and every day.
About Our Therapy Dog Training
The Controlled K9 therapy dog training program begins with an in-depth evaluation of your dog’s temperament. We assess how well your dog interacts with new people, responds to different environments, and handles various distractions. From there, we develop a custom training plan while still covering key skills such as calm greetings, appropriate social behavior, and basic obedience.
At our dog training company, we emphasize owner involvement in the therapy dog training process. We want to make sure both you and your pup are ready to handle the demands of therapy work in diverse environments. Every dog is treated as an individual and receives dedicated attention and care. Our therapy dog training differs from others in that we prioritize:
- Custom Training Plans: Every dog receives a personalized program tailored to their temperament, behavior, and therapy goals.
- Owner Involvement: We work closely with you throughout training to ensure you’re confident and prepared for real-world therapy situations.
- Certification-Ready Results: Our training prepares your dog to meet certification standards and perform reliably in diverse, unpredictable environments.
Therapy Dogs Vs. Service Dogs: What’s the Difference?
A common question we get asked is if therapy dogs are the same as service animals. The simple answer is no, they are not. Service dogs have specific designations and legal statuses that differentiate them from therapy dogs and other animals. Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities and have qualifications and privileges established by the ADA. Additionally, most service dogs have a “no petting policy” so as not to interfere with their ability to protect their owners.
Therapy dogs, on the other hand, are more general than service dogs. They are often brought into communal settings in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools to provide an added layer of comfort to the people in these environments. While therapy dogs must still qualify for certifications, the training for therapy dogs is different from that of a service animal.
Controlled K9 trains therapy dogs and service dogs. Our goal is to give you and your dog the training necessary so you can be a productive, cohesive unit.
James is excellent! He trained our Australian Shepherd as a service dog for a medically needed task. James is extremely knowledgeable and professional. From our first consultation, I knew James would be able to achieve our goal that we needed with our pup. Most importantly, he took excellent care of our dog. Cannot recommend enough!
Rachel W Satisfied Customer