CRITERIA FOR YOUR DOG
Dog Training Basics
"Paws For A Cause" program: Dog Requires basic training
Entry Level: Dog Requires basic training
Therapy Dog Novice: Dog requires basic training 1 + year industry placement
Therapy Dog: Dog Requires level 5 or equivalent, 2 years industry placement and skills set.
Therapy Dog Advanced: Dog Requires level 5 or equivalent 3 + years industry placement and skills set.
Eligibility Requirements
"Paws For A Cause" Program:
Dog must have a basic level of training so that they are reliable and under control even in crowded situations and when there are loud noises.
have lived with the owner for at least six months and must be at least 1-year old.
A dog of any breed or mix of breeds may participate, assuming that its presence does not violate local animal control laws.
ideally neutered or spayed
Entry Level:
Dog must have a basic level of training so that they are reliable and under control even in crowded situations and when there are loud noises.
have lived with the owner for at least six months and must be at least 1-year old.
A dog of any breed or mix of breeds may participate, assuming that its presence does not violate local animal control laws.
ideally neutered or spayed
Therapy Dog Novice:
Dog must have a basic level of training so that they are reliable and under control even in crowded situations and when there are loud noises.
have lived with the owner for at least six months and must be at least 1 1/2 years old.
A dog of any breed or mix of breeds may participate, assuming that its presence does not violate local animal control laws.
ideally neutered or spayed
Completed Entry Level 18 hours x 12 Visits (over 6 months) industry placement hours over 6 months
Therapy Dog:
Dog must have formal training to level 5 or equivalent
have lived with the owner for at least 2 years and must be at least 2-year old.
A dog of any breed or mix of breeds may participate, assuming that its presence does not violate local animal control laws.
ideally neutered or spayed
Completed 100 visits (150 hours) in an accredited Therapy Dog Novice role.
Therapy Dog Advanced:
Dog must have formal training to level 5 or equivalent
have lived with the owner for at least two years and must be at least 4-year old.
A dog of any breed or mix of breeds may participate, assuming that its presence does not violate local animal control laws.
ideally neutered or spayed
Completed compulsory components and pre requisite requirements.
Exclusion of Dogs Trained for protection or Bite Work
Dogs that have been trained to aggressively protect, and dogs that have been encouraged to bite, even as a component of a working task or a competitive activity, are not eligible to be evaluated or registered for pet therapy community work.
Veterinarian Health Clearance:
A veterinarian health care clearance will be required for your dog, we supply the forms for you to have your regular veterinarian conduct a health check including a handling assessment to ensure that your dog is healthy and physically able to perform AAA/AAT, record vaccinations and any other requirements recommended by the veterinarian. We want to make sure that all dogs participating in the program are healthy and free from parasites, disease, infections, and illness
should be free of any signs of ill health
must be free of internal and external parasites
must be house trained
shall be cleaned and groomed within 24 hours prior to the visit.
Vaccinations
Your dog must be up to date with yearly required vaccinations (C5)
All vaccinations must be documented by a licensed veterinarian
veterinary examinations are required every twelve (12) months, or any additional types of health screening requested by the veterinarian
Animals with Disabilities
The dogs regular veterinarian will determine whether the dog is physically able to participate in AAA Community work.
Temperament and Skills Set Evaluation:
It is a requirement for insurance and placement purposed that your dog is evaluated for temperament and skills set, prior to being considered for the paws for a cause, entry level, therapy dog novice, therapy dog, therapy dog advanced programs
Dog is handled tested within the veterinarian health clearance process then evaluation of temperament and skills is tested by Therapeutic Dog Services, AAI evaluator prior to being considered for entry into any of the training programs on offer.
Screenings evaluate how well the animal and handler work together, and what environments they are best suited for.
Assesses whether
the animal can be controlled by the handler and follow basic commands
simulates conditions that may be encountered on a visit and to determine whether the team has the ability, capacity, and potential for Pet Therapy Community Work.
resembles a series of situations that might occur on a routine Pet Therapy Visitation.
Dog is temperament tested by Therapeutic Dog Services AAI evaluator prior to being considered for any level of therapy dog team training and placement registration.
Please note:
All dogs are observed on the job by AAI evaluator prior to being considered for advancing to therapy dog novice, therapy dog, and therapy dog advanced registration.
Dog is also skilled set tested prior to being considered for the therapy dog novice, therapy dog, therapy dog advanced programs.