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Therapy Dog Skills Classes
General Information
Although classes are never required for a dog to be tested for therapy dog work, they can
be quite helpful, particularly for someone who is new to therapy dog work. Classes can
provide you, the handler, the opportunity to gain confidence in your abilities and learn to
objectively assess your dog's skills. The goal of therapy dog skills classes is to prepare the
handler for the challenges he/she will encounter while visiting with their dog in a variety
of settings.
Therapy dog classes are taught by Molly Johnson, AKC-Canine Good Citizen evaluator and
Therapy Dogs, Incorporated tester/observer. Classes are typically held in 3 week sessions
approximately five times a year. Molly's training philosophy is based on positive
reinforcement. Use of force and punishment are strictly prohibited in class.
Is My Dog Ready? Am I Ready?
Please visit What is a Therapy Dog? for complete information.
Will I Need Any Special Equipment?
Your dog will need a four foot leash made of leather, nylon, or any webbed material. No
flexi-leads are allowed. Acceptable collars include flat buckle, flat click-type collar, or
gentle leaders. Prong collars, choke collars, shock collars, or harnesses are not permitted.
When Are Classes Held, What Is the Cost, and How Can I Register?
Therapy dog skills classes are held at Clever K9s , 2000 Crooks Drive, Kaukauna. Classes
meet on Saturday afternoons from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. in three week sessions. Your dog must
be current on rabies to attend. Please bring proof of current rabies vaccination to the
first class.
Total cost for one three-week session is $55. This price includes three one-hour class
sessions and American Kennel Club - Canine Good Citizen Testing (optional - participants
can opt out of CGC testing if they wish). Subsequent testing and observations required
for therapy dog registration through Therapy Dogs, Incorporated is done at no charge by
the instructor, Molly Johnson. (Molly is a Therapy Dogs, Incorporated tester/observer.)
Registering for classes is simple and can be done quickly and easily online using a major
credit card. Please note: There are no refunds once you have registered for class.
Completion of classes is not a guarantee that your dog will pass the Therapy Dogs,
Incorporated testing and observation requirements. If you are unsure whether your dog
is appropriate for therapy dog skills classes, please contact Molly to make an appointment
for an assessment. The cost for an assessment is $10, a donation made directly to
Compassionate Canines, Incorporated. An assessment is not necessary to register for
classes.
Class sessions will begin again in the Fall of 2011. Please check back for details!
What Happens After My Dog and I Complete Classes?
Testing and observations are conducted through Therapy Dogs, Incorporated, a
not-for-profit organization based in Wyoming, and both take place with a local Therapy
Dogs, Incorporated tester (Molly Johnson) after class sessions are complete. The test is
comprised of two parts:
(1) handler skills & canine behavior, and
(2) observations (three) in the environment in which the dog may be working.
Please visit Therapy Dogs, Incorporated to learn more about the required test and
observations.
We've Passed Our Therapy Dogs, Incorporated Test & Observations.
Now What?
Congratulations! Once you receive your membership information and card from Therapy
Dogs, Incorporated, you're ready to begin visiting. Compassionate Canines offers a
mentoring program allowing you and your therapy dog to shadow an experienced therapy
dog team. Though mentoring is not necessary, it can alleviate any stress and anxiety you
may be feeling as you begin your visits.
Many volunteer opportunities exist for you and your therapy dog. Visit Meetings and
Calendar of Events and click on the calendar icon to review upcoming volunteer
activities. We can also provide guidance and information on other visiting options -
contact us for details. We will provide numerous opportunities in the Fox Valley
community for you and your therapy dog that match your skills and interests. And don't
forget....Compassionate Canines volunteers meet every other month for support,
education, and networking. Join us, won't you?
General Information
Although classes are never required for a dog to be tested for therapy dog work, they can
be quite helpful, particularly for someone who is new to therapy dog work. Classes can
provide you, the handler, the opportunity to gain confidence in your abilities and learn to
objectively assess your dog's skills. The goal of therapy dog skills classes is to prepare the
handler for the challenges he/she will encounter while visiting with their dog in a variety
of settings.
Therapy dog classes are taught by Molly Johnson, AKC-Canine Good Citizen evaluator and
Therapy Dogs, Incorporated tester/observer. Classes are typically held in 3 week sessions
approximately five times a year. Molly's training philosophy is based on positive
reinforcement. Use of force and punishment are strictly prohibited in class.
Is My Dog Ready? Am I Ready?
Please visit What is a Therapy Dog? for complete information.
Will I Need Any Special Equipment?
Your dog will need a four foot leash made of leather, nylon, or any webbed material. No
flexi-leads are allowed. Acceptable collars include flat buckle, flat click-type collar, or
gentle leaders. Prong collars, choke collars, shock collars, or harnesses are not permitted.
When Are Classes Held, What Is the Cost, and How Can I Register?
Therapy dog skills classes are held at Clever K9s , 2000 Crooks Drive, Kaukauna. Classes
meet on Saturday afternoons from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. in three week sessions. Your dog must
be current on rabies to attend. Please bring proof of current rabies vaccination to the
first class.
Total cost for one three-week session is $55. This price includes three one-hour class
sessions and American Kennel Club - Canine Good Citizen Testing (optional - participants
can opt out of CGC testing if they wish). Subsequent testing and observations required
for therapy dog registration through Therapy Dogs, Incorporated is done at no charge by
the instructor, Molly Johnson. (Molly is a Therapy Dogs, Incorporated tester/observer.)
Registering for classes is simple and can be done quickly and easily online using a major
credit card. Please note: There are no refunds once you have registered for class.
Completion of classes is not a guarantee that your dog will pass the Therapy Dogs,
Incorporated testing and observation requirements. If you are unsure whether your dog
is appropriate for therapy dog skills classes, please contact Molly to make an appointment
for an assessment. The cost for an assessment is $10, a donation made directly to
Compassionate Canines, Incorporated. An assessment is not necessary to register for
classes.
Class sessions will begin again in the Fall of 2011. Please check back for details!
What Happens After My Dog and I Complete Classes?
Testing and observations are conducted through Therapy Dogs, Incorporated, a
not-for-profit organization based in Wyoming, and both take place with a local Therapy
Dogs, Incorporated tester (Molly Johnson) after class sessions are complete. The test is
comprised of two parts:
(1) handler skills & canine behavior, and
(2) observations (three) in the environment in which the dog may be working.
Please visit Therapy Dogs, Incorporated to learn more about the required test and
observations.
We've Passed Our Therapy Dogs, Incorporated Test & Observations.
Now What?
Congratulations! Once you receive your membership information and card from Therapy
Dogs, Incorporated, you're ready to begin visiting. Compassionate Canines offers a
mentoring program allowing you and your therapy dog to shadow an experienced therapy
dog team. Though mentoring is not necessary, it can alleviate any stress and anxiety you
may be feeling as you begin your visits.
Many volunteer opportunities exist for you and your therapy dog. Visit Meetings and
Calendar of Events and click on the calendar icon to review upcoming volunteer
activities. We can also provide guidance and information on other visiting options -
contact us for details. We will provide numerous opportunities in the Fox Valley
community for you and your therapy dog that match your skills and interests. And don't
forget....Compassionate Canines volunteers meet every other month for support,
education, and networking. Join us, won't you?
| a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization |
| Compassionate Canines, Incorporated |