Therapy Dog Training Nova Scotia

Therapy Dog

St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Program takes a volunteer and their dog into hospitals, seniors' residences or nursing homes on a weekly basis. Through petting, affection, and regular visitation, many people benefit both physically and emotionally from the unconditional love of a dog, while also providing the volunteer with a unique and rewarding  volunteer experience.

The program continues to grow, boasting more than 3,500 volunteer dog teams providing over 275,000 hours of their time visiting hospitals, retirement residences, care facilities, schools and universities.  The friendly attention and acceptance of these four-legged volunteers are always greatly appreciated.

Therapy dog services are provided in a wide range of community settings such as:
 

• Hospitals
• Seniors residences and care facilities
• Schools, universities and colleges
• Community centres and libraries

The Therapy Dog program provides opportunities for individuals to:
 

• Talk with the volunteer and the dog
• Feel, touch, pet and cuddle the dog
• Receive unconditional love from the dog
• Carry-out or practice an activity in the presence of the dog

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Applying for service dog team certification

Applying for service dog team certification

Applying for service dog team certificationCertification gives service dog teams the right to access any location where the public is allowed. Under the Service Dog Act, it is an offence to deny access or tenancy to a certified service dog team or to falsely represent a dog as a member of a service dog team under the Act when it is not. Service dog identification cardsCertified service dog teams will receive identification cards . Service dog assessmentThere is a $187.50 fee for the service dog assessment. Retired service dog certificationCertified service dogs that have retired and remain with their handlers can receive retirement certification.

How to Certify a Therapy Dog

How to Certify a Therapy Dog

There are three basic steps involved in certifying a therapy dog:Adopt a dog that has the appropriate demeanor and intelligence to serve as a therapy dog. Optionally register your trained therapy dog with an organizationsuch as Service Dog Certifications. We will also explain the key differences between a therapy dog and a service dog or emotional support dog, especially when it comes to the rights of their handlers. Any breed of dog can qualify as a therapy dog, as long as they have the proper temperament and intelligence. Due to these potentially stressful environments, it is also important that a therapy dog handler takes care to ensure that the therapy dog is not being overworked or stressed and is given the opportunity for plenty of breaks and periods of rest.

Therapy Dogs: the Benefit of a Four-Legged Friend

Levi is a spunky three-year-old dog and a graduate of the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog course. Veterans all approach therapy dogs differently, so Levi has to adapt to them, from room to room and person to person. Therapy dogs have been part of the Veterans Memorial for many years says Kathy Ward, recreation therapist at the QEII. “They make the environment feel more home-like and safe.”Kathy says that therapy dogs can have a positive impact on pain and anxiety too. Volunteer Services coordinates the Therapy Dog volunteer program and all dogs must have successfully completed training through St. John Ambulance or Therapeutic Paws of Canada.

Can Your Dog Be a Therapy Dog? See If Your Pup's Got the Right

Can Your Dog Be a Therapy Dog? See If Your Pup's Got the Right

Expert dog trainers weigh in on how to train your dog to be a therapy dog and the positive impact these animals have on their communities. Although many people use the terms therapy dog and service dog interchangeably, they are not the same. "Most people have no idea that the terms service dog, therapy dog, emotional support animal, and comfort animal are not all interchangeable. So what determines whether a specific dog will be successful as a therapy dog or not? Does your dog have the following temperament traits of a good therapy dog?

AKC Therapy Dog – American Kennel Club

AKC Therapy Dog – American Kennel Club

The moment a volunteer with a therapy dog walks into a room, you can instantly feel a change in mood. Therapy dogs are NOT service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who are specifically trained to perform a task or tasks to assist a person with a disability or impairment. A service dog must be with their person at all times and has special access privileges in public places. Therapy Dog is an AKC program which recognizes the necessary therapy work performed by dogs through accepted organizations based on the number of visits.

Therapy dog program lands at Halifax airport

Therapy dog program lands at Halifax airport

Halifax Stanfield International Airport and the folks at St. John Ambulance have launched a new therapy dog program to comfort weary travellers. Halifax airport goes to the dogs Duration 0:54 Halifax Stanfield has launched a new therapy dog program to comfort weary travellers. According to St. John Ambulance's website, the program started in June, 1992, as a pilot program in Peterborough, Ont. Today, nearly 3,000 therapy dog teams reach thousands annually. "The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program brings joy and comfort to the sick, lonely and those in need of a friendly visit," says the website.