This class is a mix of presentation/lecture and training exercises. We’ll focus on the skills needed to successfully participate in pet assisted therapy. Exercises taught will include: polite greetings, approaching people using medical devices (wheelchair, cane, walker), highly challenging “leave its”, and exposure to scenarios typically encountered during therapy work. Information will be given on the numerous therapy organizations and how to become a registered therapy team. This class will position you to have a positive therapy experience that benefits you, your dog and the therapy recipient.
Class Format: This is a 5 week class. The first 4 weeks are lecture/training and the 5th week will be a practice therapy test.
Note: This class does not certify your dog as a therapy dog. That will require testing with the therapy organization of your choice. Our practice test includes a variety of typical test items. However, tests vary greatly between organizations. Our practice test will help you determine if you and your dog are ready to test. When enrolling online, please include your dog’s name, age and breed in the Notes section.
- AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate suggested and completion of Manners 3 or equivalent skills required.
- If you have not taken Manners 1-3 at What A Great Dog, a Class Readiness Evaluation is required to demonstrate these skills.
- If your dog is younger than 1 year, and they haven’t been in facility in 2 months or more, a new Class Readiness Evaluation is required.
- If your dog is older than 1 year, and they haven’t been in the facility in 6 months or more, a new Class Readiness Evaluation is required.
- Dogs must be current on vaccinations.
- Class Fee – $210
- Enrollment – five consecutive weekly 50-minute class meetings at your designated day/time.
- No make-ups are available for missed classes.
After enrollment, watch for a confirmation email with important details.
If no classes are listed, please call 214-297-3000 to be placed on the interest list.
Class Preview
Your Instructor
Jan Muennink
Jan joined the WAGD Team in 2018 after retiring from her career as an Intellectual Property Paralegal. There’s a good chance you have talked to her on the phone or interacted with her in person as a front desk team member. However, her first experience with WAGD was in 2016 when she enrolled in her first manners class with Noelle, a […]