The International Association of Canine Professionals are proud of their Therapy Dog Division and have high hopes for the division’s future role in bringing together animal service providers with educators and health care providers who would like to use animals in their work.  The International Association of Canine Professionals is an organization that is open to all canine professionals and is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in canine professionals.  The IACP Therapy Dog Division will provide resources and continuing education to health care professionals and educators who work with their dogs or oversee volunteer organizations. It is also open to volunteer handlers, evaluators, testers and group administrators.

 

Currently, there are three major national therapy dog organizations and hundreds of smaller local groups who are active is establishing and maintaining protocols and policies for therapy dog programs.  Most of these organizations have designed their own certification program.  The IACP Therapy Dog Division has no affiliation to any single therapy dog group.  It offers IACP members an overview of therapy dog work and provides assistance to those looking to find an organization to join.   In addition, it provides dog trainers and other dog professionals access to nationally recognized therapy dog handlers who can field questions and offer guidance for those seeking to start programs related to therapy dogs. 

 

Pet therapy is a growing part of many health professions.  As early as 1919 St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington DC was using animals (including dogs) in their mental health program.  However, for many years animal therapy programs were very rare.  Popularity began to grow in the 1970’s as the benefits became more widely known.  During this time many volunteer organizations formed to provide training and support for handlers and their dogs.   In 1976 Elaine Smith formed Therapy Dogs International, the oldest national registry of therapy dogs in the United States.   Since that time there has been a steady growth in the number of therapy dogs at work in the United States. 

 

Because the role of therapy dogs has evolved in such sporadic way, there is often much confusion about what therapy dogs can do, and how they should do it.  In 2004 the IACP began work on the Therapy Dog Division hoping to pool the knowledge gained by so many dedicated volunteers, allowing all of these different groups to share information in a timely manner. 

So You Want To Be a Therapy Dog Team…

An Introduction to Skills and Talent Requirements

Working or volunteering with a therapy dog is enormously rewarding. You need to be aware, though, that the complex relationship among you, your animal companion, and those whom you visit will require some special skills.

First, evaluate the health and temperament of the potential therapy dog, starting with a thorough veterinary examination. 

Then, you will need to know some of the basic requirements and ways to prepare yourself and your dog.  Therapy Dog organizations that register visiting teams will have some form of evaluation to determine if each team possesses the temperament, aptitude and skills for visiting—but before you reach the formal evaluation stage, it will be helpful to know some of the foundation skills that all organizations and facilities expect.

Canine Talent and Skills

The dog must be willing to initiate contact with unfamiliar people and have good social skills and manners. Most organizations require that dogs be at least a year old for full registration. He or she should be able to:

• Offer documentation of good health and freedom from parasites as required by the national registry or the facility being visited.
• Reflect cleanliness and appropriate grooming including teeth and nails
• Function well around equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and respiratory devices
• Demonstrate basic obedience commands in the midst of distractions:
• Sits, lies down. stays on command
• Walks on leash without pulling
• Greets people politely (without jumping or mouthing), and calmly accepts petting from strangers
• Remains well controlled around other dogs

  Preparation

Building and maintaining confidence and trust is the most important preparation for a team. Strong socialization is also very important, followed by acclimatization to unusual sounds, sights, and odors. Among your preparatory activities, you might:

• Enroll in a basic obedience class and/or therapy dog course
• When selecting a trainer to help prepare you for becoming a visiting team, look for one who will help you recognize canine body language and signs of stress in your dog.
• Find a class that is designed to help introduce your dog to the unusual sights, sounds and smells encountered during therapy dog visits.
• Consider obtaining a Canine Good Citizenship Certificate (though not mandatory, the CGC can be a starting point for minimal skills).
• Obtain permission to take your dog to places where there are a lot of people, such as commercial areas and parks  - socialize, socialize, socialize
• Find out if there is a visiting group in your area that you can join and “shadow” a team as they visit
• Ask to visit, without your dog, one or more of the facilities where you are interested in volunteering with your dog. Try to sense the environment from your dog’s perspective.
• Network with established teams – locally, and through IACP.
• Read IACP authors’ Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation by Kris Butler and Volunteers Wanted by Mary Burch. These books are available through the usual internet sources, including IACP sponsor www.4mDogBooks.com.

Handler Skills

The handler must enjoy being around people, be friendly and polite, and have good visiting manners. He or she should be able to:

• Demonstrate active listening skills
• Communicate with different populations
• Understand and follows current rules of confidentiality
• Demonstrate disability etiquette, wheelchair etiquette, and proper terminology regarding people with disabilities
• Understand infection control issues and zoonotic concerns
• Remain aware of the dog at all times and remain in control
• Help the dog carry out the tasks needed for the job
• Praise the dog’s good behavior, and redirect inappropriate behavior
• Recognize stress in the dog, be aware of ways to relieve it promptly

The International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) is your gateway to success for dog trainers and all canine professionals. We are the premier organization that represents voices from all different working philosophies and walks of life. We maintain professionalism, integrity and the highest standards among members within the canine industry.

If your aim is a successful business as a Dog Trainer, Dog Groomer, Kennel Owner, Veterinarian, Pet Sitter, Dog Handler, Dog Walker,or as a Therapy Dog Trainer/Handler

Join the Professional Association that leads the way

Supporting, Educating and Networking with Fellow Professionals

For Membership Information and Forms..MEMBER INFORMATION

Find a Dog Trainer or Professional in your area (click here for the best)

As a professional organization, the International Association of Canine Professionals works to educate, promote, support and recognize excellence in the world of dogs. With a fast growing membership we are the only organization to represent all canine professionals and provide the opportunities for members to communicate, cooperate and learn from fellow professionals in all sectors of dog care. Our members adhere to recommended IACP Codes of Conduct and Practice in their chosen professions.

The IACP is here to provide a gateway to success for all Boundary Fence Installers wishing to learn and network with like minded fellow professionals in the world of dogs.

Benefits

Networking

• E-Mail Forum – for networking between members.
• Annual Educational Conference with leading International Canine Professionals.
• Regional Groups providing networking, support and education.
• Specialised sections – Therapy Dogs and Working K-9’s for support and Networking

 

Education

• Practical Certification for Pet Dog Trainers and Instructors providing Accreditation based on experience, expertise and knowledge. The Association does not demand specific approaches, methods or equipment.
• Quarterly Magazine – SafeHands Journal , an outstanding educational resource.
• Support from Head Office Staff – Experienced Canine Professionals
• Education – workshops and seminars

 

 

Business Building and Assistance

• Support in dealing with problems in your business either with dogs or professional matters.
• Professional Indemnity and Insurance assistance for Professional and Associate Members.
• Inclusion in the Members List of the IACP Web Site for Professional and Associate Members for promotion of your business.
• Discounts on dog products and services.
• Publicity through news releases designed to generate media interviews and new customers for you.
• Advice and support in education opportunities through recognized schools and correspondence courses.
• Assistance in creating business cards and brochures.
• Business building help from top professionals in the field.
• Membership of a recognized Professional Organization bringing confidence to clients and consumers.

The IACP is a group of professionals who are open minded and balanced in their approach. Membership comprises of professionals who use a wide variety of methods, approaches, equipment and products.

The Association does not dictate to members or judge your methods or philosophies.  We are inclusive, not exclusive.  This is the one organization that represents professionals from all different working philosophies and walks of life

Last Updated: Tuesday, June 28, 2011

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