Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy Dog Preparation
What’s the difference between therapy dogs, service dogs, and emotional support animals?
Therapy dogs and their handlers provide comfort in approved settings but do not have ADA public-access rights. Service dogs are individually trained to perform disability-related tasks and may receive ADA public-access protections. Emotional support animals provide comfort through their presence but are not task-trained service animals and do not receive the same public-access rights.
Does my dog need specific qualifications for therapy dog preparation?
Therapy dog candidates are generally calm, manageable, comfortable with unfamiliar people, and responsive to their handlers. Exact age, health, temperament, vaccination, and behavior requirements vary by organization. Off Leash K9 Training of Oklahoma does not publish eligibility standards for this program, so review your chosen organization’s rules and discuss your dog during the consultation.
Does the program include therapy dog certification?
No. The Therapy Dog Development program prepares dogs and owners for testing, but completion does not automatically provide certification or registration. Requirements vary by therapy dog organization and visiting facility. The AKC states that CGC is a prerequisite for many therapy dog certifications, but the AKC does not certify therapy dogs; independent organizations handle that process.
Is the AKC Canine Good Citizen test included?
Off Leash K9 Training of Oklahoma states that it is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. However, the Therapy Dog Development program description does not list CGC testing as an included feature. Ask the team whether the test is included, offered separately, or recommended by the therapy dog organization you intend to join.
