Cora and Hilary's journey
Training a therapy dog – our journeyAre you thinking of training a therapy dog?
Cora and I have worked together as a therapy dog team for two years, and when I decided that I wanted to train a therapy dog I got very excited about the benefits to staff and the clients that I work with.
Once I had spoken with people and thought more about it, I realised that if I wanted to take Cora into a public setting to work or volunteer as a therapy dog, I needed more than a friendly, furry family companion.
As a therapy dog, Cora spends time with unfamiliar people, away from her predictable home environment. Every day, something unexpected happens that I hadn’t even thought of when I started!Cora works with me in a mental health setting, and we are accredited to offer assisted therapy (AAT) to counselling clients. Training to become a therapy dog/handler team is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done… but it also took a lot of work and commitment from both of us! Cora and the people we spend time with rely on me to ensure that everything stays enjoyable and safe, and our confidence today comes from knowing each other well, so that we can manage all sorts of unexpected situations. Here are our top 10 tips:
1. Find a trainer.
Find an established trainer that you respect and feel able to trust. Then leave your ego at the door and be willing to learn! Our trainers have been our best guide because they see things that therest of us do not yet see. They have done this before and will work with you to become the confident handler that you need to be and support your dog to learn the skills they needs.
2. What do you want your ‘therapy dog’ to be able to do?
Knowing the answer to this will help you decide if your dog is suitable and what you both might need to learn. Perhaps you would like to volunteer in the community (for example, a hospital, prison, or aged care facility, helping children read …), or maybe you are a teacher or health professional (like us) and want your dog to help you in your job, supporting the people you work with.
3. Choose the right dog for the job.
Your dog might be cute and cuddly and make the best family pet, but that does not necessarily mean he/she has a temperament that suits spending time being handled by lots of people in whatever place you have in mind.
4. Train, don’t blame.
Training a therapy dog is a journey that never ends, so be prepared for setbacks.The more you learn, the more you realise what you still need to learn. When something happens, try to see itas an opportunity to train, to build confidence and develop a stronger connection with your dog. Overall, you’re a team, and you need to feel confident, not only in your dog, but also in your own ability to advocate for your dog and manage the unexpected.
5. Safety first - ALWAYS.
When you become a therapy dog team member, you will be 100% responsible for every aspect of your dog’s responses and behaviour. Please don’t assume ‘my dog would never bite’ or that ' nothing phases my dog’. Instead, perhaps consider how you will manage the unexpected when it happens.
6. Become the secure base for your dog.
Learn to read the most subtle cues of arousal in your own dog. If you understand your dog’s particular body language, you will be in a better position to anticipate, advocate and manage situations where he/she may not feel confident and keep everybody safe.
7. Develop a solid level of obedience.
Your dog does not have to be perfect, but you need to be prepared for the unexpected and know that she/he will listen and respond to you. Find opportunities to work safely around new distractions because it builds individual skills as well as confidence in each other. Be consistent about how you want your dog to behave, educate your family members, and minimise the chance that they can ‘unlearn’ the safe, calm behaviours you need.
8. Socialise your dog.
Introduce your dog to different environments, people, noises, and dogs.... Do this gradually, layer by layer, and when you think you have ‘done that’, go and do some more! If your dog is less confident with something (yes, it will happen), don’t avoid it but instead learn to manage it and get help if necessary.
9. Animal Welfare.
The well-being of your dog is just as important as the people you would like it to support. Being a therapy dog/handler team is a lot of fun, but it can also be tiring for your dog (and you). Make sure you have thought about your dog’s general health and hygiene, diet, and exercise, and how you will continue to build your connection together, making sure your dog has lots of fun and time to simply ‘be a dog’.
10. Accreditation or not?
Putting a harness or bandana on your dog with the words ‘therapy dog’ is a privilege that comes with responsibilities so that we don’t compromise future opportunities for other therapy dog teams. It is worth asking whether your therapy dog needs to be accredited (e.g., hospitals, mental health settings, and some aged care settings). Do consider public liability/indemnity insurance that will protect you and your dog if an accident happens.
Some links that helped me get started:haps://leadthewayinsCtute.com.au/faqs/haps://animaltherapies.org.au/haps://aciwa.org.au/haps://therapydog.com.au/
Have fun! Hilary and Cora
