Learn About Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs are dogs who have a calm demeanor, gentle disposition, and are friendly to strangers. Now, tell me, don’t you think that describes me? Yes – that’s me! I have been a therapy dog since February 2009.
A therapy dog is trained to give attention, affection, and comfort to people in schools, hospitals, retirement and nursing homes. They are also used in stressful situations in times of disaster.
A therapy dog must be friendly, calm, patient, confident, and gentle. They must also be comfortable with being petted by others, sometimes clumsily. Therapy dogs need to allow people they don’t know to pet them and sometimes hug them.
A therapy dog evaluator has to give you (the dog) and your handler (my mom) three tests. If you pass all three tests (like we did) you can register to become a registered therapy dog. I am a registered, licensed, and insured member of Therapy Dogs Inc., a caring network of individuals who are willing to share special animals with people and bring happiness and cheer to all. I love this!
Do you want to be my friend?
Pet Hug Team
I am also an official member of the Pet Hug Team, the therapy dog group of the Humane Society of Greater Miami Adopt-A-Pet.
