Therapy Dog Prep School

• Classes are held on Tuesday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 pm for 6 consecutive weekly meetings at our training center in Kearny Mesa (near Hwy 52, between I-15 and Hwy 163).
• Class size is limited so early registration is recommended.
• Pre-registration is required with a $50 deposit and balance to be paid one month before the first class.
• All canine students are required to have had a minimum of one previous dog training class such as Basic Obedience or CGC Training.
• All profits will be used to subsidize the training and placement of a service dog for a person with a disability. Instructors are experienced therapy dog volunteers and are volunteering their time with Paws'itive Teams for this class.

Prep School Syllabus

Course Objectives

The primary purpose of this 6-week course is to prepare students for potential future involvement with therapy dog volunteer opportunities and to help each student identify the most appropriate setting for his/her dog and interests. Each class will include information-sharing about programs in San Diego. Most classes will include guest specialists who will share personal information about the programs with which they volunteer.

Class One

We begin with an overview of the many different therapy dog programs and a discussion about the variety of populations who can benefit from canine therapy visits. We will also introduce and practice two very important therapy dog commands which will get each therapy visit off to a positive start. The class will include a demonstration on ways to interact with patients in wheelchairs so that the dog is close enough for the patient to pet while not being allowed to jump up or scratch fragile skin.

Class Two

This class will include a discussion on the importance of reading your dog’s body language. Since the handler’s primary responsibility during a therapy visit is his/her dog, the focus of this class will be to teach students how to identify signs of stress and alter the visit as necessary to insure a positive experience for both the dog and the person being visited. We will also teach and practice the most important command you can teach your dog … .the “leave it” command.

Class Three

This class is designed for hands-on work with the dogs and will include instruction and practice with backing up, paws up, resting head on a person's lap, and hand touch. Each student will have the opportunity to work on each skill.

Class Four

This class will be devoted to role playing stations in which experienced therapy dog handlers will play the roles of simulated patients. Students will rotate from station to station as if on a therapy visit. Each station will include a different therapy situation. The purpose of this exercise is for the handlers to see how their dogs respond to these new environments and stimuli. At the end of class, students will learn about personal therapy experiences from the volunteers.

Class Five

This class will be devoted to supervised room visits of residents at a facility and practice of techniques for therapy visits in a group setting. Each student will be accompanied by an experienced therapy dog handler who will coach the team as to effective ways to interact with residents as they visit in individual rooms. In the group setting, we will play games which are often used to help patients exercise unused muscles. At the end of the class, we will discuss individual interests of students as far as potential therapy opportunities.

Class Six

This class will include a presentation from an attorney about liability issues as they relate to volunteering in the community with dogs. We will discuss in greater detail the various therapy programs and help students identify the most appropriate program for individual needs and interests. Students will be asked to demonstrate a therapy dog behavior their dogs have learned in the past six weeks. Class will culminate with a short graduation ceremony and photos with cap and gown on each dog.

Cost

• Full Fee (one dog per handler): $150
• Repeat/Review (former students): $100
• Audit Course (without dog): $80

After receiving confirmation that there is space in the class for which you are registering, you will receive Prep School Payment Instructions... to be completed after registration has been received and confirmed.