Membership Requirements:
In order to ensure our patient and student's safety, there are some requirements you and your dog must meet prior to joining.
Evaluation
All dogs must be evaluated prior to joining. We will meet you and your dog at a public location, usually a local pet store. We will go over the commands your dog is familiar with. They will be given a physical evaluation to determine general appearance, health and temperment. We will test for food aggression and see how they interact with other dogs and people.
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Your dog does not have to love other dogs to join the group. This is not a social event for the dogs, it is a visit for our patients and students. Once we are in the facility, dog interaction is kept to a minimum. However, if your dog growls loudly, lunges or snaps, they will not be able to join.
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Basic obedience commands required prior to joining are listed below.
SIT!
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Not much to say about this one! Your dog must be able to sit on command.
No Jumping!
For safety's sake we do not allow dogs who are prone to jumping up. If your dog has a habit of jumping when he greets people, please seek training to correct trhis problem prior to seeking membership. It is not only an annoying habit, but a very dangerous one for the elderly and people who need assistance with mobility.
STAY!
It is also important that your dog knows the stay command. The therapy dog test requires that you place your dog in a down stay, walk to the end of a long test lead and then call your dog back to you.
DOWN!
Your dog must know the down command and be able to perform it without any assistance from his owner.
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You cannot push your dog's rear down, or pull on his collar. Verbal or hand commands only!
Leave It!
Leave it is also very important. You may encounter dropped medication or food in rooms. Children may have a snack. Your dog cannot beg or snatch food off of trays!
If your dog has mastered these skills, you have already received your Pet Therapy Certification or AKC CGC Certificate, you are welcome to apply for membership in Fido & Friends. Teams have three months from the date of joining to train & test for their Therapy Dog Certification. We look forward to meeting you and your dog and helping spread the love!