TRAINING ASSISTANCE AND THERAPY DOGS FAQ

Can we train therapy and assistance dogs?? The short answer is "YES" We have trained numerous therapy and assistance dogs in the past, But here is some basic stuff you need to know before contacting us. How do I Train my dog to be an assistance dog? Every Assistance dog will need to pass a PAT (Public Access Test) this is to ensure that your dog is comfortable and will behave in public. The handler and dog will be put through a test of obedience and temperament in different locations to ensure the safety of the public and that the dog is suitable to the task. What is an assistance dog? An assistance dog is trained to do specific tasks for a single handler that they struggle or can not do themselves. This couldinclude, but not limited to. - Retrieve items for the handler. - Turn lights on and off. - Alert to handler falling. - Compression therapy. - Disruption of OCDand other behaviours - Alert to specific medical needs. I have a dog that I think will make a great assistance dog? We have trained numerous dogs in the past that started as "just pets" and we have even had rescue dogs pass a PAT test; in saying this the success rate is much lower! Please contact us to book a temperament test if you want to learn more. How do I choose an assistant dog/puppy? Find a trainer you want to work with before purchasing a puppy, if you are serious about wanting an assistance dog we would recommend doing a lot of research before choosing a breed, DO NOT IMPULSE BUY A PUPPY YOU WANT TO BE AN ASSISTANCE DOG!! Think about the tasks the dog will be required to do, what sort of lifestyle you have etc.. (You aren't going to get a chihuahua if you need compression therapy or things retrieved from high places) GENETICS DO MATTER!! It's not all about how you raise them; finding a good ethical breeder who is prepared to work closely with you and a trainer to find the right pup is going to set you up for success. What is a therapy dog? A therapy dog is different to an assistance dog, a therapy dog will work alongside a therapist. You must be a therapist to have a certified therapy dog, for example, a psychologist might have a dog that comes to work with them to help clients in some way. A therapy dog does not have public access rights. I want to take my dog to hospitals and nursing home's? This is more a community companion dog and is generally organised directly with the places you want to take your dog. However, it is very important that you still have a high level of training and understanding of your dog. To ensure the safety and well-being of your dog and others in the place you are visiting.