How a Dog Becomes a Therapist

Have you ever asked this question? Were you just curious or were you considering your dog companion could do it? In this article, you will learn basic information – what nature the dog needs to have, what it has to handle and how to start with Canis therapy.

It’s a well-known fact that contact with dogs is beneficial for humans’ mental and physical health. Canistherapy is a treatment method with such contact and it has various uses. Dog canistherapists often go to orphanages, retirement homes, sanatoriums, hospice care institutions, institutions for physically and mentally disabled people and other similar places.

Of course, not all dogs are suitable to be therapists. If your dog shows any signs of fearfulness or aggression, you should rather focus on another activity together. However, if your dog companion is calm, well-balanced and obedient and loves contact with humans, you may consider canistherapy.

Dog therapist obviously has to be completely healthy and older than 15 months. It can be any breed or a mongrel. Its size is also not important. However, you and your dog should definitely be quite patient.

Besides suitable nature, the dog also needs to be well-socialized and well-mannered. It should be well controllable and it needs to obey the commands for the first time even in a noisy environment. It should also handle new environments, noises and situations with ease. Canistherapy is about physical contact – stroking and cuddling. The dog should be able to accept it calmly, patiently and gladly even from strangers. It is also a good thing to let the future therapist get used to slight pulling of hair, ears or skin to be ready for this kind of situation if it occurs.

Basically, the only special skill the dog therapist needs to learn is being able to stop playing and positioning. When you don’t know what to do next, you can make use of any canistherapy school that focuses on this.

If you still think you and your dog have everything necessary and you are ready to dive in, try to pass the exams you need to be able to practice canistherapy. Every company may include different disciplines, so don’t forget to check in advance what you are going into.

Related articles

Cat Blogs Worth Following

Simon’s Cat, Grumpy Cat or Lil Bub, these are celebrities among cats almost every cat lover knows. However, I will introduce you to a few blogs related to cats in general where you can find interesting information, advice and experience from living...

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is a common and easily spread dog disease. How is it transmitted, what progress does it have and how is it treated? Even though it cannot be transmitted to humans, it may endanger other pets in the household.

Cats in Children Stories

Every proper cat lover is not just fine with having one cat companion at home. Some people collect cat figures, others fancy books about cats and some may like watching cat films. Do you like it, too? If you do, you might get some inspiration here.

A New Trend in the Pet World – Dog Rentals

In today’s hectic world, many people don’t dare to get a dog because of the financial burden it presents and the time it consumes. Others can’t have a dog because of their health issues. Nevertheless, they have an opportunity to spend some time with a...

The Secrets of Dog Paws

Have you ever wondered how it is possible that dogs can wade through snow or run on ice with their bare feet and the paws don’t get frostbites? We know why!