Therapy Dog Testing Requirements

Therapy dogs are tested by a tdi certified evaluator.

Therapy dog testing requirements. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. Besides personality traits therapy dogs should meet certain health requirements they must. How to make your dog a therapy dog. A dog should have a health certificate signed by a vet with current shots.

The tdi test is divided into two phases and has 13 individual tests and additional exercises within each test. Tested dogs need to be at least one year of age. 1 dog 2 handlers 10 00. The handler working with the therapy dog should be in good character.

The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash. The tdi test is designed to simulate a visit with a therapy dog at a facility. The temperament evaluation is not included in this number. Alliance of therapy dogs is a national therapy dog organization providing testing certification registration support and insurance for members.

This test reflects realistic situations and should be helpful in evaluating the potential therapy dog. Prior to being admitted to the evaluation a brief temperament test will be performed on the dog by the evaluator. Most of the tests are designed to test dogs specifically because the majority of therapy pets are dogs. The law does not give therapy dogs any special rights.

To maintain therapy dog certification your pet needs to be current on all vaccinations that are required by local laws and have a negative fecal test every 12 months. Rules for tdi testing. Your dog must first demonstrate friendliness with people by allowing a stranger to approach and shake hands with his owner and then approach to pet him without jumping or nipping. Akc therapy dog akc fit dog.

Be current on their core vaccinations. You will need to provide documentation from your veterinarian regarding your dog s age and medical history. They are treated as regular pet dogs. Most therapy dog certification organizations require dogs to be at least one year old and fully updated on all vaccines and shots.

1 dog 1 handler 10 00. Akc therapy dog excellent thdx must have completed 200 visits. Be up to date rabies vaccination or rabies titers. Have undergone a medical health check up by a vet in the last 12 months.

The basic skills test usually tests your dog s basic obedience skills. However if the test site charges a fee for the use of their location or the evaluator must travel to the location of the test the fee may be higher testing fees are charged per dog. Though the exact requirements of each test varies most of them require the same skills demonstrated in some way. Akc therapy dog distinguished thdd must have completed 400 visits.