Grace Blankenhagen, SPT

Pre-Test

 Broad Objectives

The learners will be able to identify the differences
between service dogs, emotional support dogs, and
therapy dogs.
The learners will be able to understand the
emotional benefits to having therapy dogs visit
patients.
The learners will be able to identify different
organizations therapy dogs can be registered
through.
 Specific Objectives

Cognitive
Learners will be able to identify the specific behavior
qualities ideal in therapy dogs.
The learner will be able to tell the difference between
service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs in
public.
Psychomotor
The learner will be able to demonstrate proper therapy dog
behavior with their own dog if they so choose.
Affective
The learners will be able to realize the benefits of therapy
dogs to the patients well-being.
 Service Dogs 1

Trained specifically for Cancer
persons with disabilities
Autism
Mobility Issues

Sensory loss
Epilepsy

Diabetes PTSD

Multiple Sclerosis Bone and skeletal

Emotional Support Dogs 1

Mental and emotional disorders

Do not perform specific tasks

Emotional stability

Unconditional love

https://www.certapet.com/faq/esa-vest/
 Therapy Dogs 1, 2, 3

NOT service dogs
Hospitals

Nursing homes Do NOT have special access

like service dogs
Foster homes

Homeless shelters

Schools

Natural disasters
 Training

Basic obedience

Leash manners

See demonstration
Registering the Therapy Dog 4

National Organizations: Michigan Therapy Groups:
Alliance of Therapy Pet-A-Pet Club, Inc.
Dogs Detroit/Ann Arbor
Bright and Beautiful U.S.A. Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Therapy Dogs Central Michigan
Love on a Leash West Michigan Therapy
Pet Partners Dogs, Inc.
Therapy Dogs Inc. Greater Western
Michigan
Therapy Dogs
International
 Registering the Therapy Dog:
Therapy Dogs International (TDI)5

Dog Requirements: Handler Requirements:
Minimum of 1 year old Good character

Healthy No minimum age

Not registered with another 1 dog and 1 handler $10

organization testing fee

Obedience training Evaluation by Evaluator

from TDI
Pass a temperament
evaluation No requirements for therapy
dog classes
 Registering the Therapy Dog:
Alliance of Therapy Dogs6

Must pass handler/dog team test

3 successful supervised visits

Apply for membership

 Registering the Therapy Dog:
American Kennel Club Certification7

Registered by an AKC recognized therapy dog
organization

Reach a certain number of visits

Registered with AKC

Canine Good Citizen (optional)

Application and $20 fee

 Benefits of Therapy Dogs 8

Improve mood

Increased socialization

Increased alertness

Increased verbalization

Increased satisfaction
Qualities of a Good Therapy Dog3

Social Skills One year of age

Passive Current on vaccines

Basic obedience Clean and well

groomed
Manners
Best Breeds for Therapy Dogs

 Things to Consider Before
Volunteering

Allergies

Fear of dogs

Can the dog handle it

What are the desired sites requirements

 Hospital Requirements:
McLaren Northern Michigan9

Approval

Proof of TDI or AKC, and CGC certification

Updated vet records

Be leashed, held, or caged by owner

Check for patient or staff allergies

Follow procedures

Report hours of service to Volunteer Services

 Proof of Effectiveness

Therapy Dogs and Alzheimers
Swall et al10

Therapy Dogs and Student Stress Levels

Barker et al11

Improve Pain Perception in Total Joint Patients

Harper et al12
Questions?

Post-Test

 Works Cited
Works Cited

1. United States Dog Registry. http://usdogregistry.org/?gclid=CjwKEAjwqdi7BRCL6Zmjk5-
rsTwSJABmrVabymKkbYNlrJ04l4uz9YZkwWPvTngXPVLP-uoqHBL3SxoC9STw_wcB. Updated 2013. Accessed August 1, 2016.
2. What is a therapy dog? AKC Website. http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/about/. Updated 2016.
Accessed on August 1, 2016.
3. Service Animal Requirements. US Service Animals Website. http://www.usserviceanimals.org/therapy-animal-requirements/.
Updated 2015. Accessed on August 1, 2016.
4. Therapy Dog Organizations. AKC Website. http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/organizations/.
Updated 2016. Accessed August 1, 2016.
5. Testing Requirements. Therapy Dogs International Website. http://www.tdi-
dog.org/HowToJoin.aspx?Page=Testing+Requirements. Updated 2016. Accessed August 1, 2016.
6. More About Therapy Dogs. Alliance of Therapy Dogs Website.
https://www.therapydogs.com/TherapyDogRequirements.html. Updated 2015. Accessed August 1, 2016.
7. How to Earn the Title: Qualifications. AKC Website. http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/how-to-
earn-title. Updated 2016. Accessed on August 1, 2016.
8. Jones J. Perceptions of the impact of pet therapy on residents/patients and staff in facilities visited by therapy dogs. TDI.
www.tdi-dog.org/images/TDIStudy.pdf. Accessed on August 1, 2016.
9. Animal Therapy. McLaren Northern Michigan Website. http://www.mclaren.org/northernmichigan/volunteer-therapy.aspx.
Accessed August 1, 2016.
10. Swall A, Ebbeskog B, Hagelin CL, Fagerberg I. Can therapy dogs evoke awareness of ones past and present life in persons with
Alzheimers disease? Int J Older People Nurs. June 2013;10(2):84-93. doi:
http://dx.doi.org.cmich.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/opn.12053 .
11. Barker SB, Barker RT, McCain NL, Schubert CM. A randomized cross-over exploratory study on the effect of visiting therapy
dogs on college student stress before final exams. Anth. March 2016;29(1):35-46. doi: 10.1080/08927936.2015.1069988.
12. Harper CM, Dong Y, Thornhill TS, Wright J, Ready J, Brick GW, Dyer G. Can therapy dogs improve pain and satisfaction after
total joint arthroplasty? A randomized controlled trial. Clin Orthop Relat Res. September 2014;473(1):372-379. doi:
10.1007/s11999-014-3931-0.