Community Pet Therapy Dog Team
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
The Therapy Dog
A Community Pet Therapy Dog is a pet that is trained to interact with many people
other than their handler to make those people feel better.
Examples are dogs that visit nursing homes and hospitals; dogs that go to court to sit with minors or other traumatised witnesses while they give testimony; dogs that go to the library so that kids can read to them.
So you want to become a Therapy Dog Team?
Where to start,
Most places you will visit with your Therapy Dog will want you and your dog to be registered or certified, with a therapy dog registry mainly for insurance purposes.
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Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated is a Therapy Dog Registry, in Animal Assisted Interventions: Activities, Education and Therapy.
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Places that you visit at minimum, they will require you to have: dog temperament tested, veterinarian health clearance, up to date with vaccinations, training and good skills set in animal assisted activities and most importantly covered with insurance.
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There is no breed restriction on a Therapy Dog, however, since they don’t enjoy public access rights, you are not protected in areas of Breed-Specific-Legislation and if the institution you want to visit decides to put breed restrictions in place, you have to follow the rules.
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A Therapy Dog does not have public access rights and is only allowed in certain places by prior arrangement.
How to Volunteer
Paws For A Cause
The "Paws for A Cause" program, is beneficial to both parties, dog, owner and community.
The program where many begin with giving back to the community by volunteering with their well-mannered dog.
Industry Community Work Placement:
Our "Paws For A Cause" program offers participants, industry community placement which they can apply the techniques learned as well as opportunities to take their good - natured dogs to our industry partner community establishments.
"Paws For A Cause" program, is the perfect place to discover whether a career working with your dog is for you. It covers all the basics, and provides a pathway into more advanced studies if you want to move into advanced therapy dog accreditation.
Whether you are working with dogs already or preparing to make a difference in our community by volunteering, this program is designed for you.
Registration Process
Dog Evaluation
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$30.00 once of fee
Membership Fee
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$50.00 annual
Free DHS Clearances
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4 x DHS Clearances
Free Therapy Dog Training
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10 hrs online or handbook manual.
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2 hrs mentoring session with experienced therapy dog team
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Free Community Placement
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Industry Community Placement
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Aged care, Hospital, School, Community, Disability Services and specialised areas.
Free Insurance Coverage
Insurance inclusion, volunteer commercial liability insurance (accreditation requirements must be up held)
Requirements
Education:
You will need to have completed year 10, or equivilant.
Minimum Age: 18 years
English:
Training involves reading and undertaking a range of written material and assessments
Computing:
Access to a computer and the internet.
Physical requirements:
Involves physical activities.
What you will Learn
Branding
Our program addresses basic learning theory through lectures, reading assignments, and industry volunteer placement: but, most importantly, it teaches the practical application of dog assisted interventions, pet therapy and skill set training.
Our trainers in the classroom are the same trainers that you will find working with you during practical “hands-on” sessions.
Training Calendar
Our "Paws for a cause", training starts in February through to December of each year.
Autumn -March, April and May,
Winter -June, July and August,
Spring -September, October and November,
We offer training times during the working week, day, evening and weekends.
Industry Placement
Our program offers participants, industry community placement which they can apply the techniques learned as well as opportunities to take their good - natured dogs to our partner community facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centres disability and service the general public.
Benefits:
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Industry experience
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Structured Learning
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Community Work
Documentation:
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Dog evaluation and temperament test
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DHS x 4 Police clearances
Training:
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Online training (10 hours)
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Industry placement. (6 months or 12 months)
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course materials
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Access to the members portal
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Mentoring, supervision & support
Uniform
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t-shirt (available to purchase)
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Identification badge
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dog bandanna (available to purchase)
Award Titles
Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated awards official titles to dogs and their owners who have worked to improve the lives of the people they have visited.
Therapy Dog titles can be earned by dogs who have qualified with Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated and have performed the required number of visits.
BENEFITS
FOR YOU
AND
YOUR DOG
Industry Experience
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Industry partner experience, placement and community work
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Insurance inclusion, commercial liability insurance (accreditation requirements must be up held)
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Receive pet therapy volunteering, employment training and industry placement
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Receive mentor, supervision and support
Certification:
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Receive access to online professional development training and certification
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Certificate of appreciation and completion (on completion on your 6 months or 12 month industry placement)
Opportunities
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Networking opportunities
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Chances for recognition
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May be identified as a contact for local or national media
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May have opportunities to take part in research studies
Other
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Therapeutic Dog Services publications
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Remain in the organisations data base
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Invited to Therapeutic Dog Services social group activities
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Invite to Annual General Meeting
Get In Touch
Speak with our advisors about your goals
enrol
Complete our straightforward online application
learn
Complete online training
placement
Your first professional steps