I am an evaluator for Therapy Dogs International. If you check the TDI test requirements and determine that you're ready for your dog to be evaluated, you can contact me to set up a test date in the Santa Barbara area. Therapy Dogs International requires three weeks' notice for test dates, so plan well in advance. They need to notify their insurance company and put the information on their website.
Pay special attention to the "Leave It" food test on the TDI evaluation. It is a moving test, walking a u-turn past food left on the ground. You should be able to walk around a plate of food with the leash tucked in your pocket. Your dog will need to leave the food alone because you give a command not to touch it. No collar corrections or leash tightening allowed.
The other tests are pretty self-explanatory and evaluate either resilience or obedience.
Cost of testing is $10, five of which goes to TDI. Cost of annual registration with TDI is $35. Testing takes about 40 minutes, and teams who pass are given paperwork for veterinary clearances and TDI registration. Dogs need to be at least one year of age, and testing must be done in a flat buckle collar or harness with no tightening mechanism. No food, treats or toys may be used during testing.
Love on a Leash and Delta Society have evaluators in the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara areas, and you can contact them for information about testing, training, and mentoring procedures.
Many wonderful pets are not necessarily suitable for therapy dog work. They're still fabulous pets who bring comfort and joy to their owners. Therapy dog work requires an exceptionally outgoing temperament and can be exhausting for the dog. Be sure to honestly appraise your dog's disposition as you explore therapy dog volunteer options.
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Therapy dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Some are bred for the job, and some come from shelters. Some are rehomes engaged in a new purpose. They vary in style and energy, and there is no one particular type. One may be stoic, calm, and humorous. Another may be exuberant and outgoing. They may be fuzzy, soft, and portable, or they may be muscular and athletic. In Santa Barbara, therapy dogs visit hospitals and rehabilitation centers, hospice programs, and schools. They visit nursing homes and transitional care facilities, as well as adult daycare centers and camp programs. If you have a certified therapy dog, the volunteer coordinator or the activities director at a facility can help you connect with a program or initiate one. |
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Therapy Dogs in Santa Barbara |
Three well known organizations test, certify, and insure therapy dogs and their handlers in the Santa Barbara area. Their requirements vary, in terms of preparation, testing, and supervised visitations. In general, they all require a resilient, outgoing, and well behaved dog. If your dog is happy to see all kinds of people and dogs and eagerly welcomes all kinds of new situations, it may make a wonderful therapy dog. Different dogs excel in different settings, and handlers usually find that their own temperament is best suited for a particular environment. It is worth visiting a variety of facilities to determine the best match. Check the websites for the following organizations to learn about their requirements and procedures:
QUICK START GUIDE FOR THERAPY DOG HANDLERS
The following steps will help you get started in certifying your dog as a
therapy dog:
1) Start with a very outgoing, friendly, tolerant, and resilient dog who loves
all people and all other dogs.
2) Add obedience training for a reliable and prompt sit, stay, down, "leave
it!" and recall.
3) Add exposure to all sorts of people, terrain, staircases, elevators, carpeting,
beds, carts, wheelchairs.
4) Study the Testing Requirements on the Therapy Dogs International website.
Do this part very carefully and thoroughly:
http://www.tdi-dog.org/images/TestingBrochure.pdf
5) When you are confident that your dog would pass all of the test items smoothly, schedule an evaluation with a certified TDI evaluator.
6) When your dog passes the TDI evaluation, have your vet fill out the TDI
Vet form. Send your registration, dog's headshot photo, and vet form to TDI.
7) When you receive membership confirmation from TDI -- dog ID, yellow tag,
proof of insurance, handbook -- you and your dog are a certified team.
8) Contact the Volunteer Office or Activities Director at facilities you wish
to visit, and arrange for a visit and orientation.
See Quick Start guide at bottom of this page for
"How To Certify Your Dog"
9) Be prepared to show your membership with a certifying organization, your
proof of insurance, and your dog's rabies certificate.
