$13

weekly

or $75 for all content

Prepare Your Dog to Help Others

Completed by 4 learners

Ages 11-18

Self-Paced Course

In this course, learners will be informed how to prepare their dog to be a therapy dog.

Ms. Wendy

Average rating:

4.8

Number of reviews:

(86 reviews)

6 pre-recorded lessons

6 weeks of teacher support

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1 year of access to the content

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Go at your own pace

Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.

Enroll Now, Start Anytime

Start when you want.

Learn at your own pace

Access course material for a full year.

Get hands-on support from teacher.

About Learning Overview Schedule Teacher Reviews

What's included

6 pre-recorded lessons

6 weeks

of teacher support

1 year access

to the content

Homework

1-2 hours per week. Students will practice with their dogs the commands we learn in class at home individually. The students should practice at least 15 to 20 minutes per day with the dog.

Assessment

The learners will be assessed informally by observation by the teacher. If dog teams are doing commands incorrectly, the teacher will model and reteach the correct procedures to do commands. In addition, there will be a practice therapy dog test on the last day of the class in which teacher will model skill and learner and dog will practice.

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 12

Intermediate Level

Have you ever petted a dog when you were upset and felt immediately better? Spending time with a therapy dog has a positive effect on people's pain and distress. Further, the presence of an animal can significantly increase positive social behaviors in people with emotional needs.  In this class, learners will prepare their dog to help others. They will learn strategies in teaching their dogs to be calm, obedient and well mannered. Also, learners who have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or service dog will learn how to keep them calm when in public situations.  In this 6-week class, I will instruct learners how to teach their dogs skills based in therapy dog training and good canine citizen guidelines. The following skills will be taught Introduction to Therapy Dog Work and importance of socialization. Stand Stay, Sit/Down Stay with duration, distraction and diversability.  Supervised separation.  On Leash Heeling, Leave it, Recall (Come When Called) Introduction of medical equipment. Differences between a Therapy Dog/Emotional Support Animal and Service Dog. Entry Table/ Check in.  What to expect on a therapy dog visit. Therapy Dog Test/Canine Good Citizen Test.

Learning Goals

Students will learn how to train their dogs how to be able to pass a therapy dog test or good canine citizen test.  Students will receive instruction about the difference between therapy dogs, service dogs and emotional support animals.  We will use posit

Syllabus

6 Lessons

over 6 Weeks

Lesson 1:

Introduction to Therapy Dog Work: Commands Sit/Stand Stay, Supervised Separation

 My lesson introduces Therapy Dog Work.  Skills taught are the "Sit and Stand/Stay" command and Supervised Separation (Body Language will be addressed)

8 mins of video lessons

Lesson 2:

Commands Sit and Stand Stay with duration. On Leash Heeling, and Leave It-Part 1

 My lesson reviews Sit and Stand/Stay command. Introduces sit and stand stay command with duration. On Leash Heeling and Leave it-part 1.

Lesson 3:

Command: Sit-Stay w/Distractions, Recall, Medical Equipment and Entry Check In.

 My lesson reviews On Leash Heeling and Leave It. Introduces Sit – Stay with distractions and Recall (Come when Called), Leave part 2. Introduction of medical equipment.  Entry Table/ Check in.

12 mins of video lessons

Lesson 4:

Command: Down-Stay with duration. What to Expect on a Therapy Dog Visit

 My lesson reviews Leave It-part 2 and Recall.  Introduces the Down Stay Command with Duration. What to expect on a therapy dog visit. Body Language in Dogs

Other Details

Learning Needs

This is a self paced course with videos and visuals.

Parental Guidance

Not all dogs are suitable therapy dogs or have the temperament to pass a CGC test or therapy dog test. Dogs should be at least 1 year old or close and not over 12 years old and in good health. Dogs are unpredictable and may not always perform desired commands. Space is needed to do training. This class is not a guarantee for your child and dog to pass any therapy dog test of CGC evaluation. Also, an important note is that a therapy dog certification and Canine Good Citizen test has to be done in person and students will have to find an evaluator in their area.

Pre-Requisites

Learner should have a dog or access to a dog for training purposes, but it is not required. Dog should be basic trained and be able to sit, lay down, come when called and walk on a leash.

Supply List

Dogs should have basic training previous to this course. The dogs should be able to sit, stay, come when called, leave it and loose leash walk.  Dogs must be at least 1 year old to be certified for therapy dogs.  Various therapy dog organizations do accept junior handlers but a guardian or parent must accompany them on their visits. Learners will need their own dog and delicious dog treats to participate in the class.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Sources

These are for reference only. Alliance of Therapy Dogs website, Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs website, Independent Therapy Dogs website, International Therapy Dogs, Inc. website, CGC (Canine Good Citizen) website.

Meet the teacher

Ms. Wendy

Joined October, 2020

4.8

86reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

California Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education

2 Degrees

Master's Degree in Education from Walden University

Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Cal State University of Fullerton

Certified Dog Trainer, an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator and tester observer with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Independent Therapy Dogs and Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs.  Pack Leader and Coordinator for Independent Therapy Dogs. Teach therapy dog courses at the local park and recs. and have been training and visiting with my own therapy dogs over 10 years.