Therapy dogs

Therapy dogs are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. From working with a child who is learning to read to visiting a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people.

Cavaliers: the ultimate therapy dog

Our club is proud to support the work that therapy dogs perform, and we believe none does it better than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel! With their gentle nature and love for all people, cavaliers make the perfect candidate for therapy work. They are literally born with the traits and personality that help dogs to succeed in this line of volunteering. Cavaliers can sense when one needs a little extra love and are the first ones there to give it to you! Anyone that owns cavaliers knows that with one hug, kiss, or snuggle from a cavalier, any upsetting feeling or situation is forgotten in that moment. And the best part- it comes naturally to them! And yes, kisses are completely okay if kisses are not on the face.

How it works

If one is looking to begin the rewarding journey of therapy work with their dog, a great place to start is the AKC CGC program. All of the necessary requirements to pass the therapy dog testing is included in the CGC testing. (The CKCSCGA Puppy Picnic will have a CGC tester available!) After your dog has completed and passed the test, then research the therapy dog organization you would like to be certified by, (such as Alliance of Therapy Dogs or Happy Tails.) As stated above, multiple of our members volunteer through ATD. Whichever organization you choose to apply to, there will be tests that you and your dog must complete and pass in order to become an official, registered team. Any organizations that do not do this are false and not credible. Additionally, a registered therapy team is covered under the organization's insurance policy in case anything was to happen, and only accredited therapy organizations offer this. Based on the organization you choose, review their requirements and train your dog according to the checklist that they provide. Also, reach out to some testers in the program or other members and discuss what their experience is like and if they can give you any tips or pointers. There are classes that one could take as well. Most programs require a dog to be at least a year of age in order to take the initial test, so there is an ample amount of time for a new puppy owner to train and prepare. When your dog does pass the tests and you both become an official team, you can apply for a therapy dog title through AKC!

Questions

If you’d like to learn more about having your cavalier become a therapy dog, contact Ashley Powell or Beth Lassiter.