Should I Become a Caring Canines Team Member?

Volunteers are an important part of any group and Caring Canines Teams serve a very important role in the SLODOG community, but not every dog is suited for the role. Please consider the following questions to help decide if being a therapy dog volunteer is the right fit for you:

• Are you friendly with other people and their pets?
• Do you enjoy interacting with people of all ages?
• Are you in “tune” with the emotional needs of your dog?
• Are you comfortable in a nursing home or medical setting?
• Do you have the time and energy to volunteer on a regular basis?
• Has your dog been exposed to multiple social settings with different groups of people?
• Do you have the time to continually train and update your dog’s skill level?
• Are you able to maintain your dog’s appearance as required for all therapy visits?
• Are you willing to keep your dog’s vet records and shots up-to-date?
• Do you have the desire to interact with children and/or adults? (Realize that the people you come in contact with may be in poor health, or need special assistance).

Is My Dog a Good Therapy Dog Candidate?

Please be critical and realistic when assessing your dog’s aptitude to be a Therapy Dog. Its hard work and requires a personal commitment. Additionally, we can’t stress the importance of ongoing training for Therapy Dogs.

• Is your dog friendly and accepting of strangers?
• Does your dog get along with dogs of all sizes and breeds?
• Is your dog calm, able to sit on command, and stay for a long period of time?
• Is your dog comfortable around adults and children? Or prefers one to the other?
• Is your dog able to walk calmly through a crowd?
• Is your dog able to stay focused even with distractions?
• Does your dog enjoy being groomed or petted by a stranger?
• Is your dog confident and carefree?
• Is your dog relaxed even with loud, disruptive noises?
• Does your dog have good manners even when you’re not in the room?
• Is your dog comfortable in a new, or changing, environment?

Certification Processes

First, a potential Caring Canines handler must join SLODOG or currently be a member in good standing. All candidates must read the Caring Canines Manual, complete the Application and sign the Code of Ethics. The Caring Canines’ applicants are responsible to bring a completed Caring Canines application, signed Code of Ethics, rabies certificate, core vaccination records and verification of current county license to a SLODOG Caring Canines mentor.

Three paths for testing and evaluation: (only one must be completed)

#1 SLODOG internal process:

The SLODOG Caring Canines candidate and their dog are required to attend one general meeting and a Thursday practice or
Saturday run through. They will be evaluated twice by two SLODOG CC evaluators (see Appendix III). The SLODOG Caring Canines evaluation may be scheduled at either one of these and must be by an appointment in advance. The potential Caring Canines handler must also complete and pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test or UKC SPOT test. This test is administered by a Certified AKC CGC Evaluator; SLODOG members can help you find a test and tester. To learn more about the AKC Canine Good Citizen test requirements, visit the America Kennel Club online at:
www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm

#2 Alliance of Therapy Dog Testing:

Alliance of Therapy Dog (ATD) is a national program for therapy dog teams; SLODOG recognizes their testing process as
comprehensive and reliable for determining a team is qualified for Caring Canines. Passing the ATD test and joining ATD will qualify
a team as a potential Caring Canine. A CC mentor will direct you to the two local testers. The handler and dog will also be required
to attend one SLODOG meeting and one Saturday run through or Thursday practice. (A fun day meeting would count for both).

#3 Gentle Touch Pet Training Classes:

Gentle Touch in Arroyo Grande offers therapy dog training classes. Upon completion and passing of the Therapy Dog class a team may be considered as a potential Caring Canine. The handler and dog will also be required to attend one SLODOG meeting and one Saturday run through or Thursday practice. (A fun day meeting would count for both).

The Final Step for all applicants:

Once you and your dog have completed and passed one of the three paths for tests or evaluation you are ready to begin attending Caring Canines sponsored events as a team-in-training. A new therapy dog handler will be required to complete 10 (ten) mentored visit with his or her dog to achieve fully certified Caring Canines Team status. The CC handler will provide a photo of themselves and their dog to create a photo ID. Caring Canines Teams are required to have an ID, a SLODOG (color) shirt and a “SLODOG blue” scarf, on the dog.