1. **Temperament**: Therapy dogs should have a calm, friendly, and gentle temperament. They must be comfortable around people of all ages, including children and the elderly. A good therapy dog should not be overly excitable or aggressive.
2. **Basic Obedience Training**: Dogs need to have a solid foundation in basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and heel. This training helps ensure that the dog can be controlled in various environments and situations.
3. **Socialization**: Therapy dogs should be well-socialized. They need to be exposed to different environments, sounds, and people to help them remain calm in unfamiliar situations. Regular interactions with other dogs and people can help with this.
4. **Health and Vaccinations**: A therapy dog must be in good health and up-to-date on vaccinations. This includes vaccinations against rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. A vet check-up is often required to confirm the dog's health status.
5. **Certification**: Many organizations require therapy dogs to pass an evaluation or certification program. These programs typically assess the dog's behavior, temperament, and obedience skills in various scenarios. Some well-known organizations that certify therapy dogs include the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) and Pet Partners.
6. **Handler Training**: The handler, usually the dog’s owner, should also undergo training to understand how to effectively work with the therapy dog. This training often covers how to read the dog’s body language, how to handle different situations, and how to interact with individuals in need of therapy.
Once a dog meets these requirements and successfully completes the necessary training and evaluations, they can begin their work as a therapy dog, providing comfort and joy to those in need.
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