How to Get a Therapy Dog for Depression

With cases of mental health issues on the rise, doctors and therapists have been on their toes to find solutions. One of the best solutions for mental health issues, especially depression, is having a therapy animal. One of the most common therapy pets is a therapy dog. A dog is a common therapy animal due to its ability to offer comfort. In addition, it can quickly alert you when there is danger.

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Benefits of Therapy Pets

People choose different pets as therapy animals depending on the function of the therapy and animals that one is most comfortable with. Therapy pets include but are not limited to dogs, cats, horses, pigs, and birds.

The most common benefits of having a therapy animal are:

They offer comfort and companion when one is feeling down or lonely
Creating a bond between humans and animals reduces boredom
Animal therapy encourages movement through walks and simple games
Having a therapy animal increases social interactions

Therapy Dogs and Mental Health

How to Get Your Dog Certified as a Therapy Dog

Most select pet stores offer puppy training sessions where you and your dog can work closely together. After completing classes, you are offered a certificate and a red leash for your dog labeled “service dog.” In addition, some pet stores offer identification cards for you and your dog or even a dog vest. However, not every dog can be a therapy dog. Visit a professional dog therapist for guidance on how to get a therapy dog or to get your dog certified as a therapy dog.

How to Train a Therapy Dog

You can train your dog yourself, or you can seek professional assistance. It is recommendable for you to seek help from a professional since they are more experienced. Training a therapy dog can be challenging, but it is fun.

You ought to review the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test for you to get a good understanding of the ten crucial commands. YouTube also offers several guidance tips on therapy dog training.

Since YouTube cannot offer all the guidelines you require, you can attend a CGC class for more information.

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Tips on How to Make Your Dog a Therapy Dog

Some dogs cannot be therapy dogs due to their temperament, albeit trained dogs. Below are some training tips on making your dog a therapy dog.

Introduce your dog to new people and environments for them to socialize with people outside their immediate surroundings. This will come in handy when you need their help in new surroundings. Your dog will be able to act fast without being scared.
Consider obtaining the AKC Canine Good Citizen title for your therapy dog. A CGC certificate trains your dog to be independent and not jump on people.
If your dog has a CGC title, advance to AKC Advanced Canine Good Citizen or AKC Community Canine. This title allows you and your dog to practice the CGC tests in public. This title is the best bet to prepare your dog for real-life situations.
Attend a therapy class with your dog. These therapy classes will evaluate your dog, and both of you will be able to bond more.
Get registered with a national therapy dog organization. The organization will put you and your dog in a program to make visits and help you have the upper hand in your dog’s training.

Therapy Dog Breeds For Depression

How to Become a Dog Therapist

Below are some important steps you can follow if you wish to become a dog therapist.

1. Get certified

There are several institutions offering courses on animal-assisted therapy. In addition, you can opt to get an online certificate or a graduate-level certificate. You will learn the behaviors of a dog and the condition you are training for, such as anxiety or depression, through a set of modules and instructions. After completion of the training, you will be evaluated. If you pass, you will be awarded a certificate as a dog therapist.

2. Acquire Experience

After certification, you can enroll in a mental institution offering dog therapy as a volunteer. The experience you get there is crucial since it’s the practical part of what you learn in your course. You will specialize in certain target groups, such as the elderly or children. Gaining experience will also give you first-hand specialty in real-life situations that cannot be learned.

3. Create a Network

After getting certified, look for people with similar interests as you in your community and reach out to them. You can also reach out to mental health specialists around you and create a network. Networking provides you with more learning opportunities and more opportunities to advance your career. In addition, with vast knowledge in your area of expertise, clients will also trust you more.

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