This class will prepare you for volunteering in a variety of pet therapy environments with your dog. This class is unique in that we are not just going to refine your dog’s obedience skills, but we are also going to help you and your dog become a team and feel confident in a variety of challenging situations.
During the 6 session course, we will teach you how to:
- successfully give a presentation to a group of children with your dog at your side
- train your dog to behave in restaurants and other public environments
- work side by side with other pet therapy teams
- handle your dog in a room full of excited pre-school children
- handle your dog in a hospital room
- teach your dog to leave food on the floor
- groom your dog to meet Delta requirements
- prepare for all aspects of the Delta Pet Partner evaluation
- prepare to meet all the requirements of the Canine Good Citizen evaluation
- walk down a crowded hall with your dog with confidence
- prepare for a visit (documentation, equipment, supplies)
- teach your dog to sit quietly and properly interact with nursing home residents or a child reading a book
- help your dog become accustomed to being handled by strangers
- determine which visiting environment will be best for you and your dog
Class participants will be encouraged to practice their skills outside of class during the six weeks.
Your instructor is a CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) as well as a Delta Society Pet Partner Evaluator and Instructor with many hours of volunteer experience in a wide variety of settings.
NOTE: This is an advanced class. Students who have not already taken training classes at ADA or another facility are encouraged to call us before enrolling. The ideal dog will enjoy handling and hugging by children.
[EVENT_ESPRESSO_CATEGORY event_category_id="pettherapy6"]