I have a question that has puzzled me for some time.

Why do people say they have therapy dogs when really they just passed a test but don't work? My feeling is that your dog is a therapy dog and together you are a therapy team when the two of you partner to do volunteer work. Otherwise, what is the point?

You can probably tell this is a pet peeve of mine - most likely since I am very active in AAT with my dogs.

And I wonder - do most of the people with non-working therapy dogs just take a test, not go to classes? Is that why it is not taken seriously? I don't mean classes to learn to pass the test, I mean classes to learn how to correctly evaluate the dog over a course of time and learn the correct ways to visit.

I see this posted often - "I am going to put a 'TDI' title on my dog' or a 'CGC and TDI on my dog next' with no mention of actually wanting to volunteer. Or 'my dog passed the therapy dog test, but we don't go anyplace.'

Seriously, why? I wonder if they know that if they do not work, the 'title' is no longer valid and they should not claim to be a therapy team? It is not something that is forever with the 'title' being the actual goal.


There are so many people and dogs here out volunteering in their community. That is a huge commitment of time, gas and caring. I applaud each of you.

For those with a 'title' and no work, could you help me understand why you did it?

Thank you.

I can't speak for anyone in particular but I think they view it like a next step up from the CGC. An additional "proof that my dog is stable and a positive member of society."

I completely understand your feelings on the matter, though. Why bother certifying your dog as a therapy dog if they're not going to do therapy work? It does seem rather silly. Or perhaps people are confused and think, if their dog is a therapy dog, they can get public access. That's not true but there are a lot of people who think that way.

Jamie, it is possible that is what some folks think.

AAT done right is far from just a step above a CGC, but that is how I read it sometimes, too. That is sure not the intended purpose.

Sometimes it appears to be bragging rights, with no intention of using it for it's true purpose of giving back to the community.

We have had people ask in the first class about the whole 'access' thing. They are sadly disappointed and don't return for the second class.

I am often asked by clients if my dogs are service dogs and I am quick to politely set them straight on that. To me, service dogs are among the heroes. I love my dogs, but they are only allowed to sniff the base of the service dog's rightful pedestal.

And I know there are many people who used to volunteer and don't any longer. Life happens, dogs get older, families have needs. I understand that, but they did work at one time.

It is only those who don't give anything that upset me.

I see where you are coming from.
Mason took and passed the TDI test, and we do go out and visit and volunteer. I like to volunteer and Mason does too.
Ivy, on the otherhand, I could have had her go take the test, but never did as I had no plans of volunteering with her.

Like Jamie said, I think some people think that when their dog is a therapy dog, they have access to public places.

I can also see where people would be coming from, using it as the next step up from
CGC.

I asked in my classes what people were going to do - a lot had already started the registration process with a place to go to. One was hoping that they would be able to do visits, but were doing it to work more with the dog in a different class setting, and another was doing it for breeding "title". I tell people when they are looking at breeders that feature that, ask where the dog visits. No big deal if the breeder is getting it as one more accomplishment with their dog, big deal if they are claiming it as something big when it's never been proven beyond the test.

Ava, Bruno and I have retired from it. It was a combo of things - time, energy, my realization that being in a hospital with sick people wasn't the best for me, and then they seemed to burn out. So I make them do home visits, and Bruno takes the cats to the vet.

Khana was (now expired) registered through Delta Society, but after registration we didn't really do much of anything. I still list that she was a therapy dog, however, because I want to encourage others in the Chow world to consider doing this type of thing with their dogs. And it points toward her being temperamentally sound, which is valid in her case. She's an extremely sociable and friendly girl.

Why didn't I actually do volunteer work after Khana took the class and passed the test? Well, up until then ALL of my dogs had done volunteer work with me. Dating clear back to Dawson (born 1988), they all went to schools or nursing homes, Boys and Girls club, etc. This was done without any sort of certification or registration with a therapy group. We just enjoyed doing it, and when we started visiting the nursing home I also booked my piano students in there on a regular basis to entertain the residents. I didn't know of ANYONE in my area doing anything similar with their dogs. And then someone brought down the Delta Society people from Anchorage to start doing classes and tests.

I finally took Khana through a class and got her official registration, paid all the money for the silly little photo card and all that. But we had no place in this area that accepted Delta certified dog teams, so it actually put a dent in our freedom instead of making things better. We would have had to travel all the way to Anchorage (150 miles) to do anything under the Delta Society name. I had taken Khana to the nursing home a few times but then they started cracking down on their requirements too. I filled out their forms, took in the rabies vaccination certificate, etc. but things just got less easy. I used to drop in when I could, and now they wanted advance notice.

They still offer Delta Society testing here and I think they've gotten the okay at the hospital to allow DSPP access there. But in all honesty, I didn't see any reason to continue with it. It's expensive, especially when you have limited funds. It kind of puts a barrier up with other places that aren't DS accessible. And when DS chose to regulate what we could feed our own dogs - well, that put an end to any involvement I would have with that group anyway.

Khana and I still went places, and still do at times. There are certain stores we visit that expect me to bring Khana in for the employees to pet! *LOL* She's been going to the UPS store since she was a tiny puppy, and they saw her grow. And I always kind of considered her visits to various people in stores as a type of therapy, as I could see people getting a break from the tedium of their jobs when they crouched down and visited with Khana a bit. And now Khana helps relax all the people at the Annie musical rehearsals. Even the director stops and pets her a bit, and walks away with a smile. I think that's valid therapy work! *L*

Anyhow .. even though she is not longer current on her registration as a therapy dog, I still list that she has been registered in the past. It's one of her achievements. We both put in the time to learn obedience, to socialize, to figure out that wheelchairs and crutches and yelling people are not to be scared of. I think listing the "title" (although I don't really consider it a title, even in active therapy dogs) is as valid as listing obedience titles. I'm not still doing obedience with her, per se, but it doesn't negate the title she's already earned.

I can understand being irritated by people who parade a therapy dog title as some grand accomplishments but who have never done any therapy visits with their dogs. I'm guessing that they do the testing as a temperament test, in a way - which it is, really. For some people, passing a test like this with their dogs is a huge accomplishment, because they don't do much with their dogs and are amazed to even see them do something as simple as pass a CGC test. I found the DS testing person to be extremely lax with what they allowed in the test, and dogs passed that had NO right being a therapy dog. It doesn't seem right that a dog can pass a single test and then be registered as a therapy dog, since their behavior for 20-30 minutes on one single day doesn't truly represent their real self. Heck, even for an obedience title you have to qualify three different times! You would think being a therapy dog would be MORE important.

Sorry, I'm babbling now .. *L* .. I don't know if I'd bother getting a therapy dog registration again if I decided to get back into the real therapy dog stuff. I know that having the insurance is a wise move, but I always figured that having your dog well-trained and well-socialized, and KNOWING your dog's strengths and weaknesses, helped avoid problems that you would need insurance to cover. In all the years I went to schools and nursing homes, I never had a single incident with any of my dogs.

Maybe if the therapy titles were withheld (on a "probation period" maybe?) until a certain number of visits were logged, there would be fewer bogus registrations.

Melanie and the girls

I may overly upset since I don't use Delta, TDI, TDI, Inc or other registering groups. Our training is much more intense than a CGC (which I also have on my dogs.) But I always hear, "it's just a cgc with a wheelchair." That couldn't be more wrong with the testing we went through.

As for expense, you are correct - the registering groups are making a killing with their ongoing fees. After paying for the 10 weeks of classes, we don't charge anything in our program and cover the animals (cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, horses) as long as they are working and submitting their hours, no matter how many years. (and if a team dog retires the handler can bring another dog for free.)

If the animal does not work, they are notified that they will no be longer certified or covered for insurance unless they retest (which also does not cost anything.)

We do all we can to keep our dogs working. But I understand that Delta, TDI etc are all that is available in a lot of areas. I am very fortunate to be in the position I am with more choices. My first therapy dog, Solo, was registered with Delta.

When I retired (due to a change in my circumstances) her I know longer called her a therapy dog. Luckily, I later got back into it, tested her again and she was able to do reading programs for awhile, a love of hers.

I agree, I don't consider it a title either. I consider it an 'identifier; of tested, working dogs.

Thanks for the responses. Some I understand and some I just don't get, but you are all giving me the information I was curious to find.

Bonnie, I took the Delta test with Molly's litter mate Keisha and we were certified.

A few things have stopped me(us) from actually visiting.

I went to the nursing home where I was to be placed (without Keisha) and had an introductory visit with the existing dog team. I was so excited and could not wait to actually start!

Well then I get an phone call from the same volunteer saying they no longer needed me. The whole thing was a bit odd to be honest and the Delta co-coordinator never kept in touch with me. Which was disappointing to say the least.

Then Kylie (Keisha's mum) was in the US for 3 months and Keisha became super reactive (worse than Molly). So even if they could have found a placement, she wasn't ready.

Then a couple of weeks ago (I have heard nothing for probably 6 months) the same volunteer rings me and said he is going on holiday do I want to fill in? Oh and can I look after his dogs for a few weeks???? What the?

I've met him once for an hour and a half.....

So sorry this was so long and rambling (my style!) but that is why I am not visiting, Delta totally mucking me around (unprofessional in my opinion) and then the dog not suitable

Bianca, your intentions were to volunteer. I understand about things happening and if the program let you down, that's beyond your control. I wish it had been a better experience for you. I remember how excited you were when you took the test.

I am more wondering about those who never intend to work. I have heard some reasons for that - just was trying to understand them.

I am looking to take the test with Eden soon. I have asked to take the classes beforehand and then the test. I do look at it as a temperament test and an accomplishment if (when) she passes. I am interested in doing the programs that involve reading to children but if it is too difficult to maintain/get into, then I will be satisfied that she *can* do it and move on. She's spayed so I'm not breeding her and no one cares what "titles" she has but me and that is one accomplishment I would like her to have.

I personally don't see any problem with pet people or whatever taking the time to train their dogs to pass the test. The people I know that have trained through the organization I am in contact with work at it with their dogs and they are really nice. They have encouraged me to do the same with Eden and think she will be good at it.

Added to that, I rent, so when I move, I want to be able to say that she is stable/safe around all sorts of things - including medical equipment or people with infirmities. The simplest/easiest way to "prove" that is to have a certificate of a test that states such in simple terms.