Pet Therapy SKILLS
K9 Obedience Club of Jacksonville, Inc. has a long history within the pet therapy community. Pet Therapy is also known as “Animal Assisted Activities.” Many club members have taken their beloved dog(s) to facilities in the Jacksonville and Orange Park areas.
Our records for the last six years indicate 85% of dogs that were pre-assessed prior to enrolling in our pet therapy classes did not have solid obedience and/or social skills. Our Family Dog course can assist owners with polishing these skills. The Family Dog class is very popular, so enroll early!
Pre-requisite to enroll in the Pet Therapy Skills course: Dog must have achieved the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) title. Copy of the AKC CGC certificate will be required at enrollment. We try to offer CGC testing each month so check our calendar page often at https://www.k9obedienceclub.org/calendar.html.
There over 20 AKC evaluators in our area which can test your pooch. Go to AKC’s site to find one near you: https://www.apps.akc.org/cgc-evaluator/#/
Our Pet Therapy Skills course offers specific training for both handler and dog needed in this type of work. Here’s a short list of some of the skills we will teach:
Colleen Whalen has done Animal Assisted Activities for years with her two German Shepherd Dogs. They visited people at assisted living facilities and at Wolfson Children’s Hospital where Colleen chaired their program for 3 years. Her Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (aka Toller), Kate, was a member of the Caring Canines at Jacksonville’s Mayo campus. With her vast experience, Colleen can give the guidance and training to those that wish to pursue this rewarding line of work. Facilities are in need of prepared teams.
Tip: Dog tricks are very useful during therapy visits especially if a person is unable to touch the dog. I recommend the book by Kyra Sundance, 101 Dog Tricks. Did you know your pooch can earn AKC Trick Dog titles?
Go to https://www.akc.org/sports/trick-dog/about-trick-dog/
Our records for the last six years indicate 85% of dogs that were pre-assessed prior to enrolling in our pet therapy classes did not have solid obedience and/or social skills. Our Family Dog course can assist owners with polishing these skills. The Family Dog class is very popular, so enroll early!
Pre-requisite to enroll in the Pet Therapy Skills course: Dog must have achieved the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) title. Copy of the AKC CGC certificate will be required at enrollment. We try to offer CGC testing each month so check our calendar page often at https://www.k9obedienceclub.org/calendar.html.
There over 20 AKC evaluators in our area which can test your pooch. Go to AKC’s site to find one near you: https://www.apps.akc.org/cgc-evaluator/#/
Our Pet Therapy Skills course offers specific training for both handler and dog needed in this type of work. Here’s a short list of some of the skills we will teach:
- Using the 4 D’s of Learning, dogs confidently adapt quickly in new environments
- How to give “permission” to your dog to go visit people especially in wheelchairs or using a walker
- Impulse control around food, toys, and other objects
- The dog learns to walk calmly and quietly past crowds and other dogs
- What the handler can and can not say to people during visits
- Learning the 40+ stress & calming signals canines use often
Colleen Whalen has done Animal Assisted Activities for years with her two German Shepherd Dogs. They visited people at assisted living facilities and at Wolfson Children’s Hospital where Colleen chaired their program for 3 years. Her Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (aka Toller), Kate, was a member of the Caring Canines at Jacksonville’s Mayo campus. With her vast experience, Colleen can give the guidance and training to those that wish to pursue this rewarding line of work. Facilities are in need of prepared teams.
Tip: Dog tricks are very useful during therapy visits especially if a person is unable to touch the dog. I recommend the book by Kyra Sundance, 101 Dog Tricks. Did you know your pooch can earn AKC Trick Dog titles?
Go to https://www.akc.org/sports/trick-dog/about-trick-dog/
Jay Marks and his dog Gambit, recently graduated for our pet therapy course and passed the national organization, Pet Partners, evaluation. Jay and Gambit visit patients at the Baptist Medical Center.
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Laura Wilbur and her Lab, Rosie have completed pet therapy training and are now members of Pet Partners.
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