PROFESSIONAL THERAPY & FACILITY DOGSProfessional Therapy and Facility dogs are typically handled by psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and educators and engage with a large number of different people on a daily basis. these hard-working therapy dogs partner alongside professionals and utilize this partnership to enhance the work they do.
It always seems impossible until it is done. — Nelson Mandela |
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Please note: We cannot train or certify your pet dog as a therapy or service dog. Due to liability issues, we can only place dogs in our programs with approved applicants.
To qualify for one of our professional therapy dogs, you must be a professional therapist, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, occupational therapist, social worker, or seeking a graduate degree in one of the above fields. Teachers and school counselors are welcome to apply as well if they have school and district administration approval. Preference will be given to those in the Kansas City Region or to those with partnerships with first responders and/or schools.
Professional Therapy and Facility dogs are typically handled by psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and educators and engage with a large number of different people on a daily basis. When placed with a professional therapist or teacher in the community, Professional Therapy and Facility dogs assist their handlers in their professional practice. Unlike dogs handled by volunteers, these hard-working therapy dogs partner alongside professionals and utilize this partnership to enhance the work they do.
It is a common misconception that a therapy dog provides “therapy” for clients. Therapy dogs are a therapeutic partner that are used in a professional setting by students seeking a graduate degree in an Animal Assisted Social Work program, as well as professionals in the community who are already practicing therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers. We also place therapy dogs in the educational setting where they are able to assist with anxieties, and social situations. They also provide encouragement and reward for the challenges presented in the everyday school setting.
Our therapy dogs are chosen from our dogs in-training, who for various reasons, may not qualify to become service dogs. At 18-24 months of age, the training team meets to decide which pups will continue on to advanced training for service dog work, and which pups will be moved over to therapy dog training. Attention seeking behaviors, becoming distracted in public, and minor health concerns are some of the reasons that we may disqualify a dog from training as a service dog. These behaviors and minor health concerns do not affect the working life of a therapy dog, and so, their training shifts from service dog focused, to therapy and professional dog focused. We look for dogs who love attention and affection from people, are confident in their bodies, do not mind touching and handling by many people, do not mind large crowds, that are confident and comfortable around children, and do not have any resource guarding or aggression issues.
Therapy Dog Certifications are Insufficient for Professional Therapy Dogs
Historically, most Professional Therapy and Facility dogs were trained and placed by service dog programs. During their training, these dogs underwent the same selection process and training that other service dog candidates had, including extensive work on public access training and teaching the dogs how to be calm for long periods of time in complex environments. A minor health issue or training glitch would result in the dog being “career changed” from a disability service dog to working with a healthcare professional.
Professional Therapy and Facility dogs are not actually service dogs. In fact, many of the skills needed of these dogs are very different. Professional Therapy and Facility dogs must be able to quickly shift back and forth between responding to a patient and responding to their handler. There has been significant growth and interest by healthcare professionals, educators in Animal Assisted Interventions, and public and private schools, colleges and universities.
Professional Therapy and Facility dogs are typically handled by psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and educators and engage with a large number of different people on a daily basis. When placed with a professional therapist or teacher in the community, Professional Therapy and Facility dogs assist their handlers in their professional practice. Unlike dogs handled by volunteers, these hard-working therapy dogs partner alongside professionals and utilize this partnership to enhance the work they do.
It is a common misconception that a therapy dog provides “therapy” for clients. Therapy dogs are a therapeutic partner that are used in a professional setting by students seeking a graduate degree in an Animal Assisted Social Work program, as well as professionals in the community who are already practicing therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers. We also place therapy dogs in the educational setting where they are able to assist with anxieties, and social situations. They also provide encouragement and reward for the challenges presented in the everyday school setting.
Our therapy dogs are chosen from our dogs in-training, who for various reasons, may not qualify to become service dogs. At 18-24 months of age, the training team meets to decide which pups will continue on to advanced training for service dog work, and which pups will be moved over to therapy dog training. Attention seeking behaviors, becoming distracted in public, and minor health concerns are some of the reasons that we may disqualify a dog from training as a service dog. These behaviors and minor health concerns do not affect the working life of a therapy dog, and so, their training shifts from service dog focused, to therapy and professional dog focused. We look for dogs who love attention and affection from people, are confident in their bodies, do not mind touching and handling by many people, do not mind large crowds, that are confident and comfortable around children, and do not have any resource guarding or aggression issues.
Therapy Dog Certifications are Insufficient for Professional Therapy Dogs
Historically, most Professional Therapy and Facility dogs were trained and placed by service dog programs. During their training, these dogs underwent the same selection process and training that other service dog candidates had, including extensive work on public access training and teaching the dogs how to be calm for long periods of time in complex environments. A minor health issue or training glitch would result in the dog being “career changed” from a disability service dog to working with a healthcare professional.
Professional Therapy and Facility dogs are not actually service dogs. In fact, many of the skills needed of these dogs are very different. Professional Therapy and Facility dogs must be able to quickly shift back and forth between responding to a patient and responding to their handler. There has been significant growth and interest by healthcare professionals, educators in Animal Assisted Interventions, and public and private schools, colleges and universities.
COSTS FOR PROFESSIONAL THERAPY & FACILITY DOGS
Paws 4 Autism has invested well over 1,000 hours into the training of our Professional Therapy and Facility dogs. Thankfully, our sponsors and volunteers help to reduce our out-of-pocket costs for these amazing pups. We also recognize some of the challenges that YOU may face while trying to incorporate a Professional Therapy or Facility dog into your practice, business, or classroom and have assistance options available.
Professional Therapy or Facility Dog: $10,000 (Partial grants are available for schools and first responders.)
Additional options can include:
Professional Therapy or Facility Dog: $10,000 (Partial grants are available for schools and first responders.)
Additional options can include:
- Your dog remains under our liability umbrella. This includes initial training and ongoing support of the handler and therapy dog team. Up to 5 training hours per month are provided. This program cost is $300 per quarter, paid yearly.
- All-inclusive care package providing food, yearly standard veterinary care and vaccines (with a PAWS approved Veterinarian), Heartworm and flea/tick preventative, and access to discounted durable training equipment and treats. This program cost is $300 per month, paid quarterly.
