How to Adopt a Therapy Dog

Therapy dogs are special friends for those confined in hospitals, care facilities and nursing homes. Therapy dogs can provide love, hope and a sense of connection for the elderly and ill, as well as those with special needs. Rescue dogs often make some of the best therapy dogs because they have overcome hardships or have special needs themselves. Adopting a rescue dog for therapy involves all of the steps of a regular adoption process, plus special training and considerations.

Instructions

    • 1

      Research animal shelters in your area. Look for one that may already be connected to a therapy training program. These shelters may even highlight the dogs that they consider best suited for therapy work.

    • 2

      Visit the shelter. Look for dogs that are friendly, lack aggressive tendencies, have some level of obedience and appear to be companions. Spend one-on-one time with different dogs to get a sense of their personalities.

    • 3

      Fill out an adoption application. Provide proof that you can offer the dog a stable environment, supply good food, exercise and regular veterinary care, and can pay the adoption fee.

    • 4

      Prepare your home for the dog. Provide food, water, bedding, and toys. Prepare your yard with a line or fencing if necessary.

    • 5

      Conduct an overnight "test visit" with the dog to make sure that it can work.

    • 6

      Complete the adoption and enroll the dog in a basic training program with an experienced trainer. Attend the training with your dog to learn communication techniques while building a foundation of trust that will serve as a solid foundation for later therapy work.

    • 7

      Prepare for American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Certification (CGC). Find an official AKC evaluator in your area.

    • 8

      Enroll in a Therapy Dog Team Training course to become certified as an official Therapy Dog Team.

    • 9

      Conduct therapy visits (at least 20 hours per year) to maintain certification.