Therapy Dog Training Classes

Tails of Joy sponsors Therapy Dog Classes that help you and your dog prepare for animal assisted activity (AAA) commonly known as pet therapy. These classes will acquaint you with different aspects of AAA and help you develop the team skills required to pass the skills portion of the Delta Society Pet Partners® Evaluation or the Intermountain Therapy Animal registration process.

While the Delta Society and Intermountain Therapy Animals programs are similar, you should review the prerequisites of each program, including Delta Society’s raw feeding policy, to determine which program best meets your needs.

Delta Society Website

Intermountain Therapy Animals Website

Tails of Joy Therapy Dog Classes are for those who want to learn more about pet therapy or who want assistance learning the skills required to make a great therapy team. Precise obedience skills are not required, however the handler must have control of their dog while visiting, including a reliable sit, down and stay. All classes are taught with positive training methods.

For more information on therapy dog classes or to register for a class contact Susan Gagnon via email.

Therapy Dog Class Prerequisites

	Handler must present proof of dog's up-to-date rabies vaccination at start of class
	Dogs must have basic obedience skills such as sit, down, stay, come
	Handler/dog team must train using positive reinforcement
	Dog must be at least ten months old before the start of Therapy Dog Class

Class Fee $150

Class fee refunds
Due to limited class size there are no refunds after class begins.

We encourage you to attend Tails of Joy meetings, which are an opportunity to talk with registered therapy team handlers and other TOJ volunteers and to ask questions before enrolling in class.

See Our FAQ page for commonly asked questions.

The evaluation required for team registration is not included in Therapy Dog Classes. Tails of Joy does sponsor Delta Society Pet Partners® Evaluations and Intermountain Therapy Animals team evaluations, which are a part of the registration process.

Tails of Joy offers two levels of Therapy Dog Class. Most teams will start with Level I. Teams with advanced training or returning for refresher work may be eligible to enter at Level II after consultation with the trainer. Admission to Level II is at the trainer’s discretion.

Therapy Dog Classes are eight weeks long and are offered in multiple locations. For more information on class start dates and locations or to register for class contact Susan Gagnon via email at smgagnon@charter.net.

Therapy Dog Class Level I introduces skills that you and your dog need as a “therapy team” for successful Animal Assisted Activity visits. Many of these skills build on the foundation of basic obedience that your dog already knows while others may be brand new to you and your dog.

Instruction includes:

• Obedience skills with distractions.
• Dog’s response in potentially stressful situations including petting from a stranger, clumsy petting, and group petting.
• Safety skills in an unfamiliar environment, including “wait” and “leave it”.
• Loose leash walking with increasing distractions.

Class includes time for practicing and homework is assigned based on each individual team’s progress with the new skills.

Therapy Dog Class Level II builds on the skills learned in the first level class with higher levels of distraction. Real-life scenarios are practiced.

Instruction includes:

• Obedience skills with increased level of distraction and duration
• New obedience skills useful in visiting situations
• Field trip to crowded area (subject to instructor’s consent)

Class includes time for practicing and homework ideas are assigned based on individual team’s progress with the new skills.

Mentoring for New Pet Therapy Teams

At the conclusion of training and registration mentoring is available to Tails of Joy members. Newly registered teams are matched with an established member to accompany him/her on visits. This allows the new member and his/her companion animal to become comfortable with situations that they may encounter while visiting with the guidance of an experienced member.

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Delta Society Pet Partners®

Handlers wishing to register with Delta Society must complete their course. Information is available at www.deltasociety.org.

Tails of Joy regularly sponsors Pet Partners® Evaluations, one of the steps to becoming a Registered Pet Partners® Team. You must pre-register for the evaluation by contacting Beth Hajek. There is a $20 fee for the Evaluation that is waived for Tails of Joy members. (Tails of Joy Membership Information.) You may find other Evaluation listings on the Delta Society website.

Pet Partners Team registration process includes:

	Completed Delta Society Registration Packet.
	Pet Health screening by your veterinarian.
	Pet Partners® Team Evaluation by a Delta-licensed Team Evaluator.
	Fee to Delta Society.

All materials must be submitted to Delta Society within 90 days of passing the Pet Partners® Team Evaluation.

Delta Society determines the requirements for the Pet Partners® program. Full program information is available at their website: www.deltasociety.org

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Intermountain Therapy Animals  (ITA)

Handlers wishing to register with Intermountain Therapy Animals must complete their Team Training Course. More information is available at www.therapyanimals.org.

Tails of Joy regularly sponsors Intermountain Therapy Animals Evaluations, one of the steps to becoming an ITA Therapy Team. You must pre-register for the evaluation by contacting Beth Hajek.. There is a $20 fee for the Evaluation that is waived for Tails of Joy members. (Tails of Joy Membership Information.) You may find other Evaluation listings on the ITA website.

ITA registration process includes:

	Completion of the ITA Team Training Course.
	Evaluation by an ITA-licensed Team Evaluator.
	Pet Health screening by your veterinarian.
	Completed ITA Registration Packet.
	Fee to Delta Society.

Intermountain Therapy Animals determines the requirements for their program. Full program information is available at their website: www.therapyanimals.org.

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