Therapy Dog Equipment

Therapy dogs provide comfort and companionship to patients in hospitals, nursing homes and mental health centers. Some of these dogs also assist kids that are learning to read by patiently listening as they sound out the words. To be eligible to do this work, most dogs must pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificate Test, which tests their temperament and responsiveness to basic commands. Additionally, they may require some special equipment for their work.

  1. Leash and Collar

    • Your dog must wear a leash and a collar. This is a basic requirement for therapy dogs. You must be able to maintain close control over them in all areas if necessary.

    Vest

    • Many programs require that your dog wear a special vest that indicates that he or she is in the program. You should get your dog used to wearing clothing prior to participating.

    Fun Clothes!

    • To cheer up patients, dogs often wear special clothes, such as birthday hats, Santa suits and other festive garments. You can find these types of items at your local pet shop, usually around the special occasion.

    ID Tag

    • Since your dog will be traveling to many unknown environments, wearing an ID tag is important for his safety in case you are unexpectedly separated.

    Reflectors

    • If your dog will be working at night, adding reflectors to his clothing or collar can help keep him safer.