Does your dog have the right stuff to be a member of Caring Canines pet therapy program? In Osseo, therapy dogs can brighten a day and help in healing for many patients suffering from illness or injury, as well as those participating in hospice.
Alliance for Therapy Dogs and Pet Partners train and screen volunteers and their pets for visiting animal programs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools and other facilities.
These programs ensure that both ends of the leash — people, as well as animals — are well-prepared to participate in animal-assisted activity and animal-assisted therapy programs.
Once trained, dogs and their handlers can become part of the Caring Canine volunteer program.
Your dog may be a good fit for Caring Canines if you answer yes to these questions:
Is your dog friendly and well-behaved?
Does your dog enjoy meeting new people of all ages?
Is your dog reliable and friendly around other dogs?
Has your dog completed several levels of obedience classes in the past two years? Note: these classes must be positive reinforcement-only training programs.