The Canines for Therapy program trains owners and their pet dogs to provide animal-assisted visitations in hospitals, assisted living homes, schools, group homes, treatment facilities, and more throughout the Wilmington and Raleigh-Durham areas.
What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a personal pet that is certified to conduct visits in the community. Therapy dogs bring comfort and joy to people who may otherwise not have access to a loving pet.
A good candidate for pet therapy is a very social dog that is even-tempered, good-natured, likes a diverse population of people, does well with other animals (especially with other dogs), has good obedience skills, and enjoys interacting with other people.
A therapy dog is not a service dog. It does not have legal access as a service dog does.
How do I become a Therapy Team?
Canines for Service offers a 6-week course at the Wilmington, NC facility and through Hearts For Paws Dog Training in Raleigh, NC.
This course offers a hands-on approach to learning the skills needed for successful animal assisted activity and therapy visitations in the community. In order to enroll in the course, the handler/dog must meet the required prerequisites. The handler/dog team must complete the 6-week course and pass a final evaluation in order to obtain the 2 year certification.
For more information about the Canines for Therapy program or to register for the next 6-week session, email Kinsey Hanson.
Current Therapy Teams
How do I become a Therapy Team?
Canines for Service offers a 6-week course at the Wilmington, NC facility and through Hearts For Paws Dog Training in Raleigh, NC.
This course offers a hands-on approach to learning the skills needed for successful animal assisted activity and therapy visitations in the community. In order to enroll in the course, the handler/dog must meet the required prerequisites. The handler/dog team must complete the 6-week course and pass a final evaluation in order to obtain the 2 year certification.
For more information about the Canines for Therapy program or to register for the next 6-week session, email Kinsey Hanson.