Community Pet Therapy Dog Team
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
The Therapy Dog
A Community Pet Therapy Dog is a pet that is trained to interact with many people
other than their handler to make those people feel better.
Examples are dogs that visit nursing homes and hospitals; dogs that go to court to sit with minors or other traumatised witnesses while they give testimony; dogs that go to the library so that kids can read to them.
So you want to become a Therapy Dog Team?
Where to start,
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Most places you will visit with your Therapy Dog will want you and your dog to be registered or certified, with a therapy dog registry mainly for insurance purposes.
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Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated is a Therapy Dog Registry, in Animal Assisted Interventions: Activities, Education and Therapy.
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Places that you visit at minimum, they will require you to have: dog temperament tested, veterinarian health clearance, up to date with vaccinations, training and good skills set in animal assisted activities and most importantly covered with insurance.
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There is no breed restriction on a Therapy Dog, however, since they don’t enjoy public access rights, you are not protected in areas of Breed-Specific-Legislation and if the institution you want to visit decides to put breed restrictions in place, you have to follow the rules.
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A Therapy Dog does not have public access rights and is only allowed in certain places by prior arrangement.
How to Volunteer
Community Dog Visiting Program (AAA Dog Assisted Activities)
Mission: to promote and facilitate positive interaction between people and dogs.
Volunteers take their good-nature dogs to aged care facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, disability and service the general public.
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The aim of the program is to help improve the well being of patients, residents and their families through positive contact with visiting volunteers and their dogs.
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Our dogs come in all sizes and breeds, with exceptional temperaments, (friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations), providing affection and comfort to people in a variety of Australian Service Provider settings. (Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Community Houses for the Disabled, School, Disability Services facilities)
Our dogs’ primary job is to enjoy human contact, allowing unfamiliar people to pet them and handle them. Children enjoy hugging or playing with our dogs; adults usually enjoy simply sitting and petting our dogs. Our smaller dogs can be lifted onto, or climb onto, an individual’s lap or bed and sit or lie comfortably there. Some of our dogs contribute to the visiting experience by performing small tricks for their audience or playing carefully structured games.
Registration Process
Required Criteria
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Dog Veterinarian Health Clearance
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Dog Vaccination (C5)
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Dog Temperament Evaluation
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Police Clearances x 4 (DHS)
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Vaccinations
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Please Note: You and your dog must be able to provide weekly, fortnightly or monthly visitations.
2024
Dog Temperament Evaluation
$30.00 once off payment
Membership Fee
"Paws For A Cause"
The "Paws for A Cause" program, is beneficial to both parties, dog, owner and community.
The program where many begin with giving back to the community by volunteering with their well-mannered dog.
Industry Community Work Placement​:
Our "Paws For A Cause" program offers participants, industry community placement which they can apply the techniques learned as well as opportunities to take their good - natured dogs to our industry partner community establishments.
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"Paws For A Cause" program, is the perfect place to discover whether a career working with your dog is for you. It covers all the basics, and provides a pathway into more advanced studies if you want to move into advanced therapy dog accreditation.
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Whether you are working with dogs already or preparing to make a difference in our community by volunteering, this program is designed for you.​
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$80.00 annual fee
Free Training
10 Hrs x Online or Handbook Manual
2 Hrs x Mentoring session with experienced therapy dog team
Free Police Clearances
Free Community Placement
4 x DHS Clearances
Industry Community Placement
Aged care, Hospital, School, Community, Disability Services and specialised areas.
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Free Support and representation
Get in Touch
For all inquiries please contact
Therapeutic Dog Services
Email: therapydogs@tdsinc.com.au
Phone: 0481293370
or
Coordinator
Phone: 0452 671 425
Requirements
Education:
You will need to have completed year 10, or equivilant.
Minimum Age: 18 years
English:
Training involves reading and undertaking a range of written material and assessments
Computing:
Access to a computer and the internet.
Physical requirements:
Involves physical activities.
What you will Learn
Branding
Our program addresses basic learning theory through lectures, reading assignments, and industry volunteer placement: but, most importantly, it teaches the practical application of dog assisted interventions, pet therapy and skill set training.
Our trainers in the classroom are the same trainers that you will find working with you during practical “hands-on” sessions.
Training Calendar
Our "Paws for a cause", training starts in February through to December of each year.
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Autumn - March, April and May,
Winter - June, July and August,
Spring - September, October and November,
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We offer training times during the working week, day, evening and weekends.
Industry Placement
Our program offers participants, industry community placement which they can apply the techniques learned as well as opportunities to take their good - natured dogs to our partner community facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centres disability and service the general public.
Benefits:
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Industry experience
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Structured Learning
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Community Work
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Documentation:
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Dog evaluation and temperament test
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DHS x 4 Police clearances
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Training:
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Online training (10 hours)
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Industry placement. (6 months or 12 months)
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course materials
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Access to the members portal
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Mentoring, supervision & support
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Uniform
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t-shirt (available to purchase)
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Identification badge
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dog bandanna (available to purchase)
Award Titles
Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated awards official titles to dogs and their owners who have worked to improve the lives of the people they have visited.
Therapy Dog titles can be earned by dogs who have qualified with Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated and have performed the required number of visits.
BENEFITS
FOR YOU
AND
YOUR DOG
Industry Experience
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Industry partner experience, placement and community work
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Insurance inclusion, commercial liability insurance (accreditation requirements must be up held)
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Receive pet therapy volunteering, employment training and industry placement
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Receive mentor, supervision and support
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Certification:
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Receive access to online professional development training and certification
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Certificate of appreciation and completion (on completion on your 6 months or 12 month industry placement)
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Opportunities
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Networking opportunities
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Chances for recognition
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May be identified as a contact for local or national media
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May have opportunities to take part in research studies
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Other
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Therapeutic Dog Services publications
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Remain in the organisations data base
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Invited to Therapeutic Dog Services social group activities
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Invite to Annual General Meeting