To determine what does it take for your dog to be a therapy dog, evaluators look for a calm, resilient temperament, advanced obedience skills, and a genuine desire for human interaction. Key requirements include a high tolerance for clumsy handling, rapid recovery from sudden noises, zero resource guarding, and the ability to remain relaxed in complex environments like hospitals or schools.
The Foundation: Temperament Over Training
When asking “what does it take for your dog to be a therapy dog,” many owners mistakenly focus solely on obedience commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “heel.” While these skills are non-negotiable prerequisites, they are merely the baseline. The true essence of a therapy dog lies not in what they can do, but in who they are.
In the context of Therapy Dogs New Zealand and similar organizations, the primary focus of an assessment is the dog’s inherent temperament. A dog can be taught to sit in a week, but teaching a shy dog to enjoy the chaotic environment of a pediatric ward is often impossible and unfair to the animal. The role requires a dog that is naturally stoic, forgiving, and confident without being boisterous.
Therapy work is distinct from service work. A service dog is trained to perform specific tasks for one person with a disability and to ignore the public. Conversely, a therapy dog is invited into clinical, educational, or community settings to interact with many people. They must actively seek out these interactions while maintaining perfect composure. This article explores the critical temperament traits required to pass the rigorous testing standards found in New Zealand and globally.
The ‘Bumbly’ Factor: Tolerance for Touch
One of the most critical components of a therapy dog assessment is what many evaluators affectionately call the “Bumbly Factor.” This refers to a dog’s physical resilience and tolerance for awkward, heavy-handed, or unexpected physical contact.
Why is High Tolerance Necessary?
Therapy dogs frequently visit environments where clients may not have full control over their motor functions. This includes stroke survivors, children with autism, or elderly patients with dementia. In these scenarios, a dog may experience:
- Rough petting or fur pulling.
- Having their ears or tail tugged.
- Restrained hugs that feel claustrophobic to the average dog.
- Accidental bumps from walkers or crutches.
A suitable therapy dog does not just tolerate this; they remain relaxed through it. If a child clumsy-hugs the dog, the dog should not freeze, stiffen, lip-lick, or show whale eye (signs of stress). Instead, they should lean into the affection or simply stand there with a loose, wagging tail. This “bumbly” nature ensures safety. A dog that snaps or growls when their paw is accidentally stepped on cannot be certified for therapy work due to the liability and risk to vulnerable populations.
During testing, evaluators will often simulate these scenarios. They might firmly stroke the dog’s spine, examine the paws with a bit of pressure, or gently tug the tail. The dog that passes is the one that treats this handling as just another form of attention.
Resilience: Recovery from Startle
Hospitals, schools, and nursing homes are unpredictable environments. They are filled with strange sounds: the beep of heart monitors, the clatter of a dropped metal tray, the PA system announcements, or the sudden screech of a wheelchair brake. To understand what does it take for your dog to be a therapy dog, you must evaluate their “startle recovery” time.
The 3-Second Rule
It is biologically normal for a dog to react to a sudden, loud noise. Survival instincts dictate that a dog should acknowledge a potential threat. However, the distinction between a pet and a therapy dog is the recovery.
The Scenario: A metal clipboard is dropped on a hard floor three meters behind the dog.
- The Unsuitable Dog: Cowers, tries to bolt, barks excessively, or shakes with fear for several minutes afterward.
- The Therapy Candidate: May jump or turn to look at the source of the noise (the startle) but immediately investigates with curiosity or dismisses it and returns their attention to the handler within seconds (the recovery).
In New Zealand therapy dog assessments, sound sensitivity is a major fail point. A dog that remains on edge after a noise is a dog that is not enjoying their work. We are looking for a “bomb-proof” stability where the dog processes the environment as safe, even when it is noisy.
The Deal Breaker: Lack of Resource Guarding
Resource guarding is arguably the most dangerous trait in a potential therapy dog and results in immediate disqualification. This behavior involves the dog displaying aggression (stiffening, growling, snapping) to protect an item they value, such as food, toys, or even their owner.
Why Zero Tolerance?
Imagine a scenario in a rest home: You are visiting a resident who is eating a biscuit. A crumb falls on the floor. If your dog dives for it and the resident reaches down to pick it up at the same time, a resource-guarding dog might bite. Similarly, if a child in a library reading program tries to take a toy from the dog, there must be zero resistance.
Testing for Guarding:
- Food Guarding: Evaluators may use a fake hand to remove a high-value treat or bowl from the dog while they are eating.
- Toy Guarding: The dog is given a favorite toy, and a stranger attempts to take it away.
- Person Guarding: Sometimes dogs guard their handlers. If a stranger approaches to shake your hand or hug you, the dog must not step in between or growl. They must accept that their handler is interacting with others.
For a therapy dog, everything belongs to the public. They must be willing to share their space, their toys, and their handler without a second thought.
Emotional Stability: Affection vs. Neediness
There is a nuanced but vital difference between a dog that loves people and a dog that is needy. Understanding this distinction is often the hardest part for owners asking what does it take for your dog to be a therapy dog.
The Confident Visitor
A great therapy dog is affectionate. They seek out interaction because they enjoy the social engagement. They will approach a stranger, rest their head on a knee, and solicit a pat. However, they do this from a place of confidence. If the person stops petting them, the dog waits patiently or moves to the next person.
The Anxious/Needy Dog
A needy dog seeks interaction to self-soothe. They may paw frantically for attention, jump up repeatedly, or whine when ignored. This is often a sign of separation anxiety or a lack of confidence. In a therapy setting, this can be overwhelming for patients. A frail patient cannot fend off a dog that is forcefully demanding affection.
Furthermore, “Velcro dogs” that cannot function without being touching their handler may struggle. During a visit, you might need to drop the leash (or have a patient hold a secondary leash) while you sanitize your hands or adjust a chair. The dog must remain calm and not panic because they are three feet away from you.
Specific Standards for Therapy Dogs New Zealand
If you are looking to certify your dog in New Zealand, organizations like Therapy Dogs New Zealand, St John (Outreach Therapy Pets), or Canine Friends Pet Therapy have specific criteria that align with international standards but include local nuances.
Health and Hygiene
Before temperament is even assessed, the physical standard must be met. In NZ, this typically involves:
- Vaccinations: Up-to-date core vaccinations (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus) and often Kennel Cough.
- Parasite Control: Proof of regular flea and worm treatment is mandatory. Hospitals are sterile environments; bringing in fleas is unacceptable.
- Grooming: The dog must be clean, nails trimmed short (to avoid scratching delicate skin), and odor-free.
The Canine Good Citizen Influence
Many NZ evaluators look for a foundation similar to the NZ Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) awards. While a CGC title isn’t always a strict requirement for all therapy groups, the skills required (walking on a loose leash through a crowd, staying in place while the handler walks away, accepting a stranger’s approach) are the exact skills needed for therapy work. Mastering the CGC Bronze or Silver level is an excellent way to prepare.
Preparing for the Assessment
If you believe your dog has the “Bumbly” factor and the resilience required, the next step is preparation. While temperament is innate, behavior is shaped.
Desensitization Training
Expose your dog to the sights and smells they will encounter. Visit the outside of medical centers (if allowed on grounds) to get them used to the smell of antiseptics and the sight of uniforms. Practice handling exercises daily—touch their paws, ears, and tail while feeding them high-value treats to build a positive association with handling.
Equipment Familiarization
Borrow a pair of crutches or a walker (or buy cheap ones from an op-shop). Teach your dog to walk beside them without fear. Many dogs are naturally wary of the rhythmic “clack-clack” of a walker. Use counter-conditioning (treats when the noise happens) to change this emotional response.
Conclusion
So, what does it take for your dog to be a therapy dog? It takes a unique blend of a soft heart and a tough skin. It requires a dog that is unflappable in the face of noise, forgiving of clumsy touch, and eager to connect with strangers. If your dog possesses these traits, you have the potential to make a profound impact on the lives of Kiwis in need of comfort. The journey requires dedication to training and socialization, but the reward of seeing your dog bring a smile to a patient’s face is unmatched.
What is the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog?
A service dog is trained to perform specific tasks to assist a single person with a disability (e.g., guiding the blind, alerting to seizures) and has full public access rights. A therapy dog is a pet trained to provide comfort and affection to many people in facilities like hospitals or schools; they do not have public access rights outside of their authorized visits.
Can any breed be a therapy dog in New Zealand?
Yes, any breed or mixed breed can be a therapy dog provided they pass the temperament and health assessments. While breeds like Golden Retrievers and Labradors are common, smaller breeds like Poodles, Spaniels, and even Greyhounds often make excellent therapy dogs. The individual temperament is more important than the breed.
How old does a dog have to be to start therapy work?
Most organizations in New Zealand require a dog to be at least one year old, sometimes 18 months. This ensures the dog has passed the puppy stage, has reached emotional maturity, and has a settled temperament suitable for visiting sensitive environments.
Does my dog need professional training to become a therapy dog?
While professional training is not always mandatory, your dog must meet high obedience standards. They must walk on a loose leash, sit, stay, and leave items on command. Many handlers find that completing a Canine Good Citizen course or working with a trainer helps prepare for the rigorous assessment.
What disqualifies a dog from being a therapy dog?
Aggression of any kind is an immediate disqualification. Other disqualifying factors include resource guarding, excessive barking, jumping on people, inability to recover from startle, house soiling, or skin conditions/health issues that pose a hygiene risk.
How do I get my dog certified as a therapy dog in NZ?
To get certified, you should contact a recognized organization such as Therapy Dogs New Zealand, St John (Outreach Therapy Pets), or Canine Friends Pet Therapy. You will need to submit an application, provide veterinary records, and attend a temperament assessment with your dog.