Becoming a therapy dog team is easy!
If you and your dog enjoy interacting with people and can work together calmly and with good control in public settings then you may be a great candidate! If you are uncertain about your dogs social capabilities and temperament, a good first step may be to take an obedience class with your dog and work on these skills. Also, keep in mind that your dog must be over one year of age.
To join, visit the Therapy Dogs, Inc. website. Click on the "Members" link and then on "Become a Member" and print the forms for becoming a member. Fill out your portion of the forms, including a negative fecal exam and proof of rabies vaccination. You and your dog must be evaluated by a certified tester/observer on three different occasions in a public setting. You and your dog will be tested for several skills including good leash walking, ability for your dog to be petted and handled safely, etc. To contact the testes/observer in our area, use the contact form on this site. Upon successfully passing the observations, you will mail your completed paperwork and the first-time membership fee of $40 to Therapy Dogs, Inc. Membership can be renewed annually for $30. You will receive a packet of materials from Therapy Dogs, Inc which includes, among other items, an I.D. card for your dog and a therapy dog tag for his/her collar.
That's it! Once you and your dog become a certified therapy dog team, you can begin visiting facilities. Hearts of Gold Therapy Dogs of VA would love to have you and your dog join the group; however, you are under no obligation to join and can visit independently if you choose.
To join, visit the Therapy Dogs, Inc. website. Click on the "Members" link and then on "Become a Member" and print the forms for becoming a member. Fill out your portion of the forms, including a negative fecal exam and proof of rabies vaccination. You and your dog must be evaluated by a certified tester/observer on three different occasions in a public setting. You and your dog will be tested for several skills including good leash walking, ability for your dog to be petted and handled safely, etc. To contact the testes/observer in our area, use the contact form on this site. Upon successfully passing the observations, you will mail your completed paperwork and the first-time membership fee of $40 to Therapy Dogs, Inc. Membership can be renewed annually for $30. You will receive a packet of materials from Therapy Dogs, Inc which includes, among other items, an I.D. card for your dog and a therapy dog tag for his/her collar.
That's it! Once you and your dog become a certified therapy dog team, you can begin visiting facilities. Hearts of Gold Therapy Dogs of VA would love to have you and your dog join the group; however, you are under no obligation to join and can visit independently if you choose.