Could your dog be an Imagine Therapy Dog?
What does a therapy dog do?
Therapy dogs bring companionship and comfort in home and facility visits and in school programs. Unlike guide dogs or assistance / service dogs, therapy dogs are there to be petted and enjoyed.
Please note that therapy dogs are *not* service dogs. If you want to learn more about service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, please visit The Canadian Service Dog Foundation.
What kind of dog can be a therapy dog?
Therapy dogs come in most breeds, shapes and sizes. One thing they all must have in common is temperament – therapy dogs must be confident, friendly, patient and gentle in all situations.
Dogs must be 18 months old to be certified for solo visits. Dogs as young as 6 months may be eligible to attend group or community events.
What kind of training is required?
Each Imagine handler & dog team is required to pass a rigorous evaluation. We therefore recommend that applicant dogs successfully complete Imagine Therapy Dogs’ seven week training programme before the evaluation. Admission to the course is based on a review of the dog’s previous training, as well as an interview and assessment of the team.
What about me as a handler? Do I need any special training?
As an ITD handler, you are not required to have prior training or experience. Your placement process will involve shadowing an experienced team in the field and being mentored. A criminal records check is also required. As well, some facilities require handlers to complete an orientation and volunteer training process.
You may also be required to meet facility-specific requirements such as immunization (TB, for example) and dress code.
How do my dog and I become a therapy team with ITD?
The first step is to attend an information session to see if ITD is a good fit for you and your dog, and to understand the level of commitment that is required.
The next step is to submit a membership application for consideration. Note: If you are familiar with ITD and what is involved in being a therapy dog team, your application can be submitted before you attend the information session.
If you pass the evaluation, the final step in the membership process is a criminal records check. In addition, the ITD Health Records Form must be completed by your veterinarian at this stage.
The placement process then begins, starting with shadowing and receiving mentoring with an experienced team.
How do I find out more?
You can attend a ITD information session for more details.
How do I apply?
You can start the application process by following the instructions in our ITD Initial Application and Requirements document (PDF file, opens in a new window).
What does a therapy dog do?
Therapy dogs bring companionship and comfort in home and facility visits and in school programs. Unlike guide dogs or assistance / service dogs, therapy dogs are there to be petted and enjoyed.
Please note that therapy dogs are *not* service dogs. If you want to learn more about service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, please visit The Canadian Service Dog Foundation.
What kind of dog can be a therapy dog?
Therapy dogs come in most breeds, shapes and sizes. One thing they all must have in common is temperament – therapy dogs must be confident, friendly, patient and gentle in all situations.
Dogs must be 18 months old to be certified for solo visits. Dogs as young as 6 months may be eligible to attend group or community events.
What kind of training is required?
Each Imagine handler & dog team is required to pass a rigorous evaluation. We therefore recommend that applicant dogs successfully complete Imagine Therapy Dogs’ seven week training programme before the evaluation. Admission to the course is based on a review of the dog’s previous training, as well as an interview and assessment of the team.
What about me as a handler? Do I need any special training?
As an ITD handler, you are not required to have prior training or experience. Your placement process will involve shadowing an experienced team in the field and being mentored. A criminal records check is also required. As well, some facilities require handlers to complete an orientation and volunteer training process.
You may also be required to meet facility-specific requirements such as immunization (TB, for example) and dress code.
How do my dog and I become a therapy team with ITD?
The first step is to attend an information session to see if ITD is a good fit for you and your dog, and to understand the level of commitment that is required.
The next step is to submit a membership application for consideration. Note: If you are familiar with ITD and what is involved in being a therapy dog team, your application can be submitted before you attend the information session.
If you pass the evaluation, the final step in the membership process is a criminal records check. In addition, the ITD Health Records Form must be completed by your veterinarian at this stage.
The placement process then begins, starting with shadowing and receiving mentoring with an experienced team.
How do I find out more?
You can attend a ITD information session for more details.
How do I apply?
You can start the application process by following the instructions in our ITD Initial Application and Requirements document (PDF file, opens in a new window).
