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Therapy Dog Guidelines

 

All Therapy Dogs must meet the following guidelines to participate with our organization

 

  • ALL dogs must complete a temperament test with us and go through a 6 week class before being approved to begin the process for therapy work.

  • All dogs must be spayed or neutered to be a therapy dog with our organization

  • Dogs must not jump on people (Must keep "Four on the Floor")

  • Dogs must have a reliable Sit-Wait and Down-Wait and be able to remain in one spot for an extended period of time.

  • Dogs must have basic manners and obedience

  • Dogs cannot charge doors, stairs, etc.

  • Dogs cannot have any food bowl, treat or toy aggression or "protectiveness"

  • Dogs should not show signs of head shyness or hand shyness

  • Dogs must have the ability to accept strangers touching them

  • Dogs must be able to adapt to strange odors or rooms and patients

  • Dogs must be able to adapt to unusual noises (like breathing ventilator) or loud noises

  • Dog must be able to adapt to different textures of flooring

  • Dogs must be able to handle sudden jerky movements (such as that of small children or children/adults with disabilities

 

Absolutely NO choke chains, prong collars, pinch collars, shock collars or slip collars (martingale), or spike/stud collars allowed.  Dogs should be trained to the point of being on a loose leash on a flat buckle collar or body harness.

 

Dogs cannot show any signs of aggression ever.  

 

No Flexi-Leashes or Chain leashes allowed.

 

A copy of vaccinations and hours obtained must be given to Pawsibilities each year with re-certification and insurance renewal.

 

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