Temperament & Training Requirements
for Prospective Therapy Dogs
Temperament:
The temperament of an appropriate therapy dog is one of stability, tolerance and consistency in behaviour. Although Paws for People® allows dogs to attend visits at the age of 12 months, they cannot be permanently certified until the age of 18 months, due to behavioural changes that may occur at this age. Dogs must be able to cope with a reasonable amount of noise and stress! Puppy visits may be done under supervision till the age of 5-months. Aggression will NOT be tolerated.
Profile of an appropriate Therapy Dog is not limited by breed (other than the dangerous dog legislation as specified by our insurance company), size or shape. The prospective dog should be interested in people, tolerant of other animals, and able to cope with new environments/situations.
Training:
The handler and dog team has to pass the initial assessment which consists of the AKC CGC (American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen) test and the Paws for People® skills and aptitude test. These specific tests are used as they are geared towards situations that may be encountered during therapy calls.
You can also join Lesley de Klerk's (Paws for People's founder) Progressive Dog Training Centre to get the skills necessary to become a Paws for People Therapy Dog team.
Over and above this the handler-dog team must successfully complete six supervised visits before they may be certified. Supervised visits may NOT be done in hospitals!
The dog must be able to stand, sit or lie quietly (on command by the handler) on the floor to allow a person to brush, pat or generally interact with him/her. The dog must tolerate other dogs/animals and general handling that includes feet and ears.
Dogs trained to aggressively protect and/or encouraged to actively bite, even as a component of a dog sport – i.e. – bite work that is part of Schutzhund work – shall not be evaluated, nor can they ever be used as therapy dogs. Dogs trained to react obsessively to toys or other articles as rewards in training shall not be evaluated.
Should a dog exhibit any signs of stress or aggression at visits, the handler and dog team can/may be suspended! The Paws for People® working parameters and all other relevant documentation will be available to the handler team once all tests have been passed, and all payments (testing fee & public liability insurance contribution) have been made by the handler.
See the Assessments page for more..
Forms:
- Please download the Prospective Handler Questionnaire, complete it and either e-mail it back to Lesley de Klerk or fax it back to 011 766 3728
- Please download the Mandatory Assessment Requirements, read this carefully, sign it, and bring it with you when you come for your assessment
The Prospective Handler Questionnaire has some important questions for your consideration. It helps you to think about both what you are hoping to get our of being a Paws for People® volunteer, as well as highlighting the expectations and commitment that Paws for People will require from you. You will need to commit to a minimum of two visits per month plus the situational training session that is usually held once a month. Not only do you need to consider your own suitability to the Paws for People program BUT you need to consider whether your dog is the right candidate to be a therapy dog. Since we visit various institutions, it will also be worth considering what types of people you and your dog may be best suited to visiting - children, the elderly, disabled persons, sick and injured people in hospital etc. It is important that your expectations and commitment match those of Paws for People®.
The Mandatory Assessment Requirements form highlights the expectations and procedures for the Paws for People® Assessment... see the Assessments page for more on this ...
Health Requirements:
If any of the following symptoms exist a dog will not be permitted to be tested or conduct/attend any visits to any facility:-
skin rashes, lameness, extreme hair shedding, runny nose, change in eating and/or elimination habits, odd smelling ears or breath, vomiting, eye infections, diarrhea and/or bloody stools, sutures (stitches), chronic illness, female in season or during the time duration that any medications for infections or illness are being administered.
The following canine health regulations must be in place before any supervised visit is allowed:-
- Veterinary certification that the dog is in good health (including a fecal flotation test) to be renewed annually
- Proof of up-to-date vaccination
- Proof of de-worming every 3 months and a fecal flotation test twice a year.
- Proof of monthly flea and tick control
- Clean teeth, ears and eyes
- Dog to be groomed and coat clean
- Toenails trimmed if necessary and any rough edges filed
- All breeds of dogs over the age of 8 years, require an additional veterinary certification every 6 months, which clearly states that in the vet’s opinion the dog is capable of coping with the therapy activity or visits and that the dog currently has NO major health issues or problems
A complete list of health requirements and other relevant documentation is available to the handler-dog team once all tests have been passed, and all payments (testing fee & public liability insurance contribution) have been made by the handler.
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