How to Get Your Dog Certified as a Therapy Dog in Canada

Therapy dogs have an incredible impact on mental well-being, providing comfort, companionship, and emotional support to individuals in need. These dogs can help reduce anxiety, improve mood, and promote social interaction. If you’re interested in getting your dog certified as a therapy dog in Canada, Companion Paws Canada is one of the leading organizations that offer certification for therapy dogs.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the process of certifying your dog as a therapy dog in Canada with Companion Paws, including the different types of therapy dogs, the certification requirements, and the steps involved in the certification process.

Understanding Therapy Dogs

Before diving into the certification process, it’s important to understand what therapy dogs are and how they differ from service dogs. Therapy dogs are specially trained to provide emotional support, comfort, and companionship to individuals in need, whether that be their owner or members of the community. These dogs work in various settings such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.

Unlike service dogs, which are trained to assist individuals with specific disabilities and have public access rights, therapy dogs do not have the same legal privileges. Therapy dogs are mainly focused on offering emotional support and do not perform tasks that help individuals with physical disabilities. They are allowed to interact with a variety of people during their work, making them an ideal source of comfort in group settings.

Types of Therapy Dogs at Companion Paws Canada

At Companion Paws Canada, there are three types of therapy dog certifications:

1. Personal Therapy Dog: A personal therapy dog is certified to provide emotional support to its owner. These dogs are trained to help individuals who struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more. Personal therapy dogs play a critical role in improving their owner’s emotional well-being.

2. Assisted Therapy Dog:  Assisted therapy dogs work with their owners, typically professionals such as psychologists, teachers, counselors, and healthcare workers. These dogs assist in therapy sessions or provide emotional support in professional settings like classrooms, clinics, or hospitals. Their calming presence can benefit students, clients, and patients in challenging situations.

3. Visiting Therapy Dog: Visiting therapy dogs visit various facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and rehabilitation centers. These dogs offer emotional comfort to people they meet at these places, playing a vital role in helping those who may not have regular access to a pet. Whether it's brightening the day of patients in a hospital or helping children in schools feel more comfortable, visiting therapy dogs spread joy and comfort wherever they go.

The Certification Process with Companion Paws Canada

Companion Paws Canada follows a comprehensive four-step process to certify your dog as a therapy dog. The process ensures that the dog is well-suited for therapy work, is well-behaved, and can provide emotional support in a variety of environments. Here’s how the certification process works:

1. First Temperament Assessment

The first step in the certification process is the temperament assessment. This 30-minute session is designed to evaluate your dog’s personality and temperament to determine if they are suitable for therapy work. During the assessment, your dog will be tested for qualities such as friendliness, calmness, and patience. The goal is to ensure that the dog is not a safety risk and is comfortable interacting with strangers.

To qualify for the assessment, you must have up-to-date health records and vaccination documentation for your dog. The assessment focuses on how well your dog handles new environments and situations and how well they respond to commands. If your dog passes the first temperament assessment, you can move on to the next step.

2. CPC Therapy Dog Skills Training Online Course

Once your dog passes the first temperament assessment, you and your dog must complete the CPC Therapy Dog Skills Training Online Course. This course includes reading materials, 23 online training videos, and a short quiz. The training prepares both you and your dog for the final evaluation by teaching essential skills that your dog will need for therapy work.

Some of the skills covered in the course include obedience, proper leash behavior, staying calm in busy or stressful environments, and being able to interact with different types of people. The course also provides valuable tips for the owner on how to manage their dog in various therapy settings.

3. Second Temperament Assessment

After completing the online training course, your dog will undergo a second temperament assessment. This assessment serves as a final check to confirm that your dog is ready for therapy work and can handle the demands of their designated role, whether it be Personal, Assisted, or Visiting Therapy Dog.

This assessment is similar to the first temperament test but focuses more on the specific skills and behaviors required for therapy work. Your dog will be evaluated on their ability to remain calm, interact positively with strangers, and follow commands consistently. Passing this second assessment is necessary to proceed to the final stage.

4. Final Evaluation

The final step in the certification process is the evaluation, which consists of two stages with 17 individual tests. These tests assess your dog’s ability to perform tasks and respond to different scenarios they may encounter as a therapy dog. For example, they may be tested on how they react to loud noises, how they approach strangers, and how well they stay calm in high-pressure situations.

The final evaluation ensures that your dog is fully prepared for their role as a therapy dog and can provide emotional support in a safe and effective manner. If your dog passes the final evaluation, they will be officially certified as a Companion Paws Therapy Dog.

Companion Paws Certification: What’s Included

Upon successful completion of the certification process, you will receive:

• A Companion Paws Canada Therapy Dog Bandana
• An Identification Card
• A Certificate of Registration

Additionally, Companion Paws provides Letters of Certification upon request. Owners are required to renew their certification annually, which includes completing a form and re-evaluating the dog’s suitability for therapy work.

Important Considerations

It’s essential to note that Companion Paws Canada does not train or certify service dogs. Therapy dogs and service dogs have different roles, and therapy dogs do not have the same public access rights as service dogs. This means that therapy dogs are not allowed in public places where pets are not typically permitted, such as restaurants or public transportation. They also do not have access to private buildings where pets are restricted or prohibited.

Therapy dogs work to improve mental health and well-being, whereas service dogs are specifically trained to assist individuals with physical disabilities or specific tasks. While both types of dogs are highly trained and offer significant benefits, their roles and rights differ.

Conclusion

Certifying your dog as a therapy dog with Companion Paws Canada is a rewarding process that allows you to share your dog’s comfort and companionship with those in need. Whether you’re looking for a personal therapy dog to support your own mental health or a visiting therapy dog to bring joy to others, Companion Paws Canada offers a structured, comprehensive certification process to ensure that you and your dog are ready for this important role.

With the right temperament, training, and certification, your dog can become a source of healing and emotional support for you and others in your community.