Wsrtjtyk

Golden Retrievers are often used as therapy dogs due to their calm demeanor, gentle disposition, and friendliness to strangers.

A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and are defined but not covered or protected under the Federal Housing Act or Americans with Disabilities act. They also do not have public access rights with exception to the specific places they are visiting and working. Typically the dog would be granted rights by individual facilities only.

The systematic use of therapy dogs is attributed to Elaine Smith, who noticed patients positively responding to visits by a chaplain and his Golden Retriever. In 1976, Smith started a program for training dogs to visit institutions.

Therapy dogs are usually not assistance or service dogs, but can be one or both with some organizations. Many organizations provide evaluation and registration for therapy dogs, sometimes with focus on a particular therapeutic practice such as reading to dogs.

Description

A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and to people with anxiety disorders or autism. Therapy dogs are usually not assistance or service dogs, but can be one or both with some organizations.^[1]

In the U.S., therapy dogs are not service animals and are not afforded the same privileges as service animals are.^[2] Therapy dogs earn the AKC Therapy Dog title.^[3].In order for a dog to be a good candidate to become a therapy dog and receive an AKC certify title they should be calm and social with strangers. They should also be able to adjust to loud noises and fast movements. ^[4]. There are certain training steps that are needed for a dog to become AKC certified. The first step is to socialize your dog, get them used to being around people and other animals. Then they go through test to become AKC certified. They are tested on behaviors such as no jumping and being able to walk on a loose leash. Once the dog becomes AKC certified they are signed up for training classes. The first class is called distraction-proofing class which helps the dog become more focused. The last class is the therapy training class itself. This is where the dog and the dog's owner are prepared for therapy visits. ^[5].

Therapy dogs offer many benefits to people and patients. Therapy dogs help patients to participate in physical activities. They also help encourage them to have cognitive, social, and communication goals. ^[6]

History

The systematic use of therapy dogs is attributed to Elaine Smith,^[7][8] who worked as a registered nurse. Smith noticed how well patients responded to visits by a chaplain and his Golden Retriever. In 1976, Smith started a program for training dogs to visit institutions, and the demand for therapy dogs continued to grow.

Classification

Therapy dogs are usually not assistance or service dogs, but can be one or both with some organizations. Therapy dogs are not trained to assist specific individuals and do not qualify as service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act.^[9]

Many organizations provide evaluation and registration for therapy dogs. Typical tests might ensure that a dog can handle sudden loud or strange noises; can walk on assorted unfamiliar surfaces comfortably; are not frightened by people with canes, wheelchairs, or unusual styles of walking or moving; get along well with children and with the elderly; and so on. Institutions may invite, limit, or prohibit access by therapy dogs. If allowed, many institutions have requirements for therapy dogs. United States-based Therapy Dogs International (TDI) bans the use of service dogs in their therapy dog program.^[10][11] Service dogs perform tasks for persons with disabilities and have a legal right to accompany their owners in most areas.^[12]

In Canada, St John Ambulance provides therapy dog certification. In the UK, Pets As Therapy (PAT) provides visiting dogs and cats to establishments where pets are otherwise not available.
Also in the UK Therapy Dogs Nationwide (TDN) provide visiting dogs to establishments.

Breeds

Common breeds used in therapy dog application and research includes Golden Retrievers and Labradors.^[13][14][15] Therapy dogs are not limited to a certain size or breed, the main factor that is important is their temperament. The dog must be friendly and patient, and be at ease when certain situations occur. Therapy dogs should be okay with being petted and cuddled, even if a stranger does so. There are certain things to look for before choosing which dog is right for you. ^[16]

Use

At colleges and universities

Therapy Fluffies at UC San Diego

Some colleges and universities in the US bring therapy dogs to campus to help students de-stress. These campus events are often referred to as "Therapy Fluffies", a term coined by Torrey Trust, the original founder of the UC San Diego therapy dog de-stress event.^[17] In 2009, Sharon Franks, shared the idea of bringing therapy dogs to campus with the UC San Diego Office of Student Wellness.^[18]

Since the autumn of 2010, "Therapy Fluffies" has visited the UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Riverside campuses during the week before mid-term and final exams.^[19][20] These events give students and staff the opportunity to pet and relax with therapy-certified dogs.^[21] The university also works with the Inland Empire Pet Partners, a service of the Humane Society to bring therapy-certified dogs to the campus’ Mental Health Day Spa, held quarterly.^[22][23]

In 2014, Concordia University, Wisconsin became the first university in the US to adopt a full-time therapy dog to its campus in Mequon, WI. The golden retriever, Zoey, is a Lutheran church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog, trained to interact with people at churches, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, events, and in disaster response situations.^[24]

Reading

Programs such as the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program to promote literacy and communication skills. The practice uses therapy dogs to encourage children to read aloud by giving them a nonjudgmental listener.^[25]It has been proven that the academic performance and children's enthusiasm for reading has increased by having a therapeutic dog with them, especially in children with special education.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Animal-assisted therapy


• Service animal


• Service dog


• Therapy cat

References

^[1]External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Therapy dogs.

• How to Make Your Dog a Therapy Dog

• 
  Assistance Animal State Laws - Michigan State University


• 
  Disabilities and Medical Conditions - TSA (Transport Security Administration)


• National Geographic News article


• Development & Validation of a Research Instrument to Assess the Effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Therapy