Dogs are good for our health

Stability Standards
Safety is our number one priority. To be successful, dog therapy visits need to be safe and enjoyable for everyone, including the dog. Using our unique Stability Standards, our evaluators assess both the temperament and obedience skills of dogs to ensure all our canine therapy team members are well suited to the job.

Accessibility
Any certified dog trainer with current business insurance can sign up to become an evaluator with us. That means thousands of qualified people across the country—and the opportunity for you to become a therapy dog special agent regardless of where you live.

1. CGC Exam is a pre-requisite; exam must have been taken when dog is at least 12 months old, official documentation required.
2. An intermediate/advanced class such as Rally, CGC, Agility, Therapy dog class, AKC obedience etc. Class must be documented.
3. All vaccinations must be up-to-date and dog must be in good health.  Vaccinations must be documented by official veterinarian paperwork.
4. Minimum age for a dog to register is one year.

• The K9to5 therapy dog exam is fluid.  The exam will take place at two different facilities, one of which must be a medical facility (nursing home, assisted living, hospice, hospital etc.)  The exam starts as soon as you arrive at the facility to fill out paperwork.
• You will do a visit and be evaluated as a team.
• Verbal praise and praise in the form of petting is allowed.
• No treats or training aids are allowed during the exam.
• All commands must be by voice and/or hand signals only.

Basic commands;

• Wait/Stay (sit/stand/down); Wait/Stay = all forward motion is stopped
• Down
• Leave it
• Move to the side (dog parallel to the wall and no more than 6 inches from the wall), the owner is in front of the dog close to wall as well
• Stand (from sit, from down)
• Loose leash walking.
• Walking very slowly
• Walking past another dog (no closer than 2 feet to each other)

Behavior/Body Handling (if a negative reaction that is an automatic failure)

• Prolonged bear hugs
• Prolonged eye contact
• Ear tugs
• Tail tugs
• Paw handling
• Looking in mouth, teeth etc
• Rough head petting
• Quick foot movements towards them
• Collar grabs
• Resource guarding
• Startle effect:
• Remaining calm as someone rushes by (from the front, back and the side)
• Remaining calm when a crutch is knocked over close to them (within 10 feet)
• Sudden body movements

Approaching the residents

• A resident sitting
• A resident walking
• A resident in their bed

 How you interact with the residents

• Entering a room (you should always knock and mention you a have a dog)
• Entering the facility (you should always stop at the front desk, let them know that you are a K9to5 Therapy Dog visiting today.

2. How you handle stress?

• Do you recognize when and what stresses you?
• What do you do about your stress?
• Know what environment you do best in

3. How you handle your dog

• Do you talk to your dog?
• Do you recognize if your dog is stressed?
• When your dog is stressed, what do you do?
• Know what environment your dog works best in

4. Appearance:

• Dress appropriately
• Dog needs to be bathed and well groomed before visits