Caring Canine Doctor-Dog Evaluation

 

 

Introduction

 

To qualify as a therapy dog, your dog must have no aggression towards people or other dogs (including un-neutered male dogs). 

 

Your dog should have basic obedience training and be house broken.  

 

Furthermore, everyone at Caring Canine is a dog lover.  As such, we will only qualify dogs which enjoy interacting with strangers.

 

 

A Brief Summary of the Formal Evaluation – STAGE 1

 

Note: During the evaluation, you can talk to your dog at anytime but teats are not allowed.  Your dog will be on leash with you at all times except during test # 12.

 

1)      Accepting a Friendly Stranger:

Ø      An evaluator pats dog while chatting with the handler

2)      Sitting Politely for Petting:

Ø      includes a friendly all-over and hands-on examination.

3)      Appearance and Grooming:

Ø      not only should the dog be well groomed but it should also allow the tester to brush it and examine its feet, ears, etc.

4)      Walking on a Loose Leash:

Ø      not necessary in a “Heel” position but the test will include a “Left”, “Right”, “About Turn”, and a “Halt” (automatic sit not required).

5)      Walking through a Crowd:

Ø      will include people in service equipments (e.g. a wheelchair or crutches).  The dog may show some interest in the crowd but should show no shyness or over-exuberance.

6)      Sit and Down on Command, Staying in Place:

Ø      the dog should respond to these commands from the handler

7)      Com on Command:

Ø      the dog will need to respond to the “come” command while being distracted

8)      Praise and Interaction Calming:

Ø      the handler should be able to calm the dog and bring it back under control after an animated encounter

9)      Reaction to Another Dog:

Ø      the dog may show some interest to a neutral dog but should remain in control of his owner

10)  Reaction to Distractions:

Ø      the dog may startle and recover but shyness/fear/flight is unacceptable 

11)  Leave It:

Ø      includes leaving toys, treats, and any objects  

12)  Supervised Isolation:

Ø      the dog will be left to the care of another person while you leave the room.  Excessive whining/pacing/stress is unacceptable

 

 


A Brief Summary of the Formal Evaluation – STAGE 2

 

After and only after you and your dog have passed stage 1, we will invite you to stage 2. 

 

Stage 2 consists of 8 additional tests:

 

1)      Greeting the Infirm:

Ø      the dog will greet a stranger in a wheelchair etc. It should not be shy of or resent the interaction or petting

2)      All-Over Body Touch:

Ø      the dog will be touched all over its body.  Small dogs will need to sit on the lap of each evaluation assistant.

3)      Restraining Interactions:

Ø      includes tight hugging, gentle ear-pulling, gentle tail-pulling, and gentle leg-pulling

4)      Crumsy petting:

Ø      includes on the head as well as the body.  The evaluation with children also includes finger poking.

5)      Awkward movements:

Ø      includes awkward arm-swinging and walking 

6)      Bumping from behind:

Ø      the dog will be bumped gently from behind while walking with its handler

7)      Yelling and other loud noises:

Ø      includes arguments between 2 evaluation assistants and dropping of an object in front of the dog to create a loud noise

8)      Crowded Petting:

Ø      the dog will be petted simultaneously by multiple evaluation assistants

 

 

Evaluation with Children – STAGE 3

 

Teams that visit children must also pass an additional evaluation with children.  The evaluation consists of exercises in stage 2 but the interaction will be with children of various ages instead of adults.  Only teams that have performed well in stage 1 and stage 2 will be invited to participate in stage 3.

 

 

Volunteer with a Family Member or Friend?

 

If two or more people (e.g. family members or friends) visit together, only those who have passed the evaluation with the dog can handle the dog during a visit.  Those who have not taken or passed an evaluation are still welcome to volunteer and accompany the handler on visits.

 

 

Volunteer with More Than One Dog?

 

Each volunteer may be evaluated or visit with only one dog at a time.  (Two volunteer handlers can visit with 2 dogs at the same time.)  If you would like to volunteer with more than one dog (e.g. on alternating weeks, on different days, or with another volunteer), you may do so by taking the evaluation with one dog at a time until all of your dogs are evaluated.  The multiple evaluations may be held on the same day.

 

 

Volunteer with Someone’s Else Dog?

 

You must have obtained written permission from the owner(s) of the dog.  The letter should be submitted with your application form and will be kept on file at Caring Canine.

 

 

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Last Updated: 11-2007